ZyXEL M202 802.11g Xtreme Mimo USB 2.0 Wireless Network Adapter

by ZyXel

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 10 x 6.5 x 3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• ASIN: B000E15EQ0
• Item model number: M-202
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Date first available at Amazon.com: July 7, 2004

Product Description

XtremeMIMO External Wireless Network Adapter - This external adapter gives your desktop or laptop computer the freedom of accessing 802.11g networks, for wireless access to the Internet. It supports MIMO (Multiple Input Multiple Output) technology, which increases your wireless range, speed, and stability when used with other MIMO devices. Connects via USB 2.0 Frequency Range - 2.4GHz to 2.462GHz

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This adapter works well for me, August 12, 2007

By 

RA "RA" - See all my reviews

This review is from: ZyXEL M202 802.11g Xtreme Mimo USB 2.0 Wireless Network Adapter (Personal Computers)

I bought two M-202s to upgrade my old 802.11b WEP adapters to 802.11g with WAP. I had some problems during the installation process on Windows XP-SP2 ("Illegal System DLL Relocation") but called costumer support and was given a link to a Microsoft hotfix (KB935448 ). The adapter worked once I downloaded and installed the hotfix. On my first installation, only the administrator could access the adapter. Other users could not access the wireless connection. Then I decided to uninstall the software included in the installation CD and let Windows XP manage the adapter using only the driver included in the installation CD. Everything worked well after these minor setbacks. I have two M-202 working seamlessly with an old Lynksys WRT54G router. Connectivity is good in all areas of my house. Xyzel costumer support was friendly and helpful. I think this adapter is a good bargain for $13.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Well done, but certainly not MIMO, July 14, 2007

By 

Daniel Haden - See all my reviews

This review is from: ZyXEL M202 802.11g Xtreme Mimo USB 2.0 Wireless Network Adapter (Personal Computers)

This is a well done USB wireless G adapter as plain as they come, well performing and works with XP, Vista and Windows 7.

This item is absolutely fantastic for Internet, for ease of use and for longer range. Its also quite efficient, having lower-than-average computer resource consumption (it won't slow your pc).

It contains a new model Zydas chipset (now owned by and nicely improved by Atheros). Atheros has always defined anything with more than one antenna as MIMO. Atheros has re-named a 51 year old technology of antenna diversity as MIMO, and they are certainly not the same thing. The advertisment is fiction because there is only one radio unit inside. This device is not an optimized partner for Zyxel's MIMO router of the same name.

However, there is much good news.
This small USB device works better than most, the drivers for Zydas are finally mature, and it will get any XP, Vista or Windows 7 computer connected to any wireless router as easily as possible. . . You do put in the CD first and plug in the (included) USB cable. Then Windows will automatically find the drivers (which work immediately). Brilliant!

For myself and my clients, these are totally reliable.
Its so durable that it can withstand WPA2 + AES use, and it still maintains a steady connection. I use mine on my WPA + AES routers. Its just fine that way too.

Be aware that if you "duke it out" in competition for attention to a True Mimo, Super G, or "N" wireless router that this quite ordinary "G" device may get hampered a bit (when other computers are present and have connected at a faster rate). To be clear, you won't notice this for Internet use. ;)

Here's the deal: If you buy it, knowing that its a ordinary "54G" wireless, then you won't be disappointed. It works superbly, and it will quickly connect your XP, Vista, and Windows 7 to your Linksys or any brand router with no trouble whatsoever.

10 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Zyxel claims for longer range don't hold up, January 14, 2007

By 

Robert W. Syputa "WiMAXA Pro" (Seattle, WA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: ZyXEL M202 802.11g Xtreme Mimo USB 2.0 Wireless Network Adapter (Personal Computers)

I bought a couple of the Xtreme MIMO M-202 USB units and have a short review:
Set up is easy and utility provides a simple set of functions but probably won't please those wanting more than the basics. The driver is Microsoft certified and seems to take few processor system resources and has caused no problems with other software.

But I expected a MIMO device to provide longer range than an 802.11g/b device which just is not the case. The unit does seem to maintain a connection better than many WiFi products at low signal levels, but this is no better than current version 802.11b/g products based on Atheros and other 3rd generation chips. I expected an improvement from the use of MIMO but either because the product does not implement true MIMO or because the antenna arrangement used in the small USB device does not provide enough diversity or amplification, the M202 falls far short of expectations.

I have not tested the M-202 with an xtreme MIMO or other manufacturer's access point. Perhaps the MIMO capabilities will work between other similar MIMO devices. But at a stand alone, this product is not worth buying unless you can get it for a price similar to non-MIMO 802.11g/b USB products.