Customer Reviews

Microsoft Broadband Networking Wireless Notebook Adapter

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(5)

 

 

This is a pretty good card. It uses the Prism2 chipset. Linux recognizes it on my system (MDK10 with kernel 2.6.X), although I have not finished the annoyance that is setting up wireless networking under linux. The MS Windows OS installer ap is annoyingly big, but post-install card configuration is much better than what I have seen with other brands. The stupid inability to cut and paste WEP keys is very standard for all cards I've used. It's not as though such measures really increase security. Disabling cut and paste for the WEP key certainly does not keep one from storing the key locally. Therefore, I really must wonder what manufacturers think is gained. All in all, though, a very good, highly responsive card with excellent range and GREAT compatibility. Supposedly, it _might_ even work under BeOS.

I bought this card as a cheap back-up for my SMC2532W-B, and am pleasantly able to report that it work like a charm with Debian Linux! (I am using Libranet, a Debian-based distro, with the wlan-ng wireless pcmcia drivers).

Who'da thunk that a Microsoft card would be recommended by a Linux Geek? But this is one of the increasingly difficult-to-find pcmcia cards using the prism 2/2.5/3 chipset that works really well in Linux. And while it doesn't have the range of the SMC (one of the highest power out-of-the-box cards you can get) it linked right up as soon as I plugged it into my Thinkpad T21 & gave it's MAC address to my Netgear router (I have MAC access turned on) and seems to get as least as good range as the very similar Netgear MA401 I have also used.

I have absolutely no idea how well it works with Windows, I would assume well as it's a Microsoft product. But if you are looking for a budget card for use with Linux, at this price you can't go wrong!

This notebook adapter worked great on my laptop/server running Windows Server 2003 in ad hoc mode. I also bought the USB version for my desktop running XP. The laptop is no longer portable because it overheats without an external fan so the true test will be when I buy a new laptop. I only gave it 4 stars becuse the software that came with it is bad and I uninstalled it.

I am extremely happy with this networking card. My other network card worked with my Windows XP for a while, but then it simply stopped working. I bought this Microsoft card hoping that it would seamlessly integrate with Windows XP, and it did. Although installation was very simple, getting it to work required a bit of technical skill. If you've ever set up a network before, you should have no problem with this.

The Configuration Utility is aesthetically pleasing, and it is very helpful. Link quality is very good. Most important, though, is the fact that this product will allow you to easily network your computers, sharing files, printers, and an internet connection.

I just received this adapter and installed it almost without any problems. The instructions in the booklet for inserting the card were different from the software--one said to turn off your computer. I tried it without turning it off and it worked (sort of). After completing the installation I still didn't have an interent or networking connection and the signal strenght was poor. (We have a Linksys wireless router--about five feet away).
After going through the help screen in the utility menu about four times--it was no help. I finally figured out that it needed the ssid--it didn't detect it automatically (like the usb version does). To make a long story short--I finally manually inputted the ssid and after tinkering a little more it worked.

Inserted the setup CD, followed the prompts, plugged in the card and it started working. I don't have any signal problems throughout my house. Comes with a neat graphical status program too. For the price, you can't beat it. Unless you want to run CAT 5 all over your house.

I did not have good luck with this PCMCIA adapter. I couldn't get a signal strong enough to even telnet from my office to my living room for my laptop. I had to go work in the bedroom. Then, it died completely. Maybe I just received a bad unit, but it never worked well for me. I am much happier now that I use one of the USB adapters with my laptop. It has much better range and I can move it to another computer easily when I don't need it on my work laptop.

Searched the reviews for days and deceided to go with this PCI, I'm using a Linksys wireless router and the PCI was up and running in about 3 min, so easy to install with XP. I can go any where in the house 1400sf up and 1400sf down and works great and no loss of signal, still connected at 11mps and signal strenght at 2 in the very back bathroom after 5 walls.

- Installation was a no-brainer on Window 2000 and XP machines. Within 5 minutes everything was up and running with my DSL. Also using a Microsoft wireless base simplied the installation/integration task, too.

But I gave up on a laptop that uses Win98. I tried it myself three times, and with the help of customer support once. It was a definite no-go. Perhaps my Win98 laptop is a bit old and does not have enough RAM. It messed up the OS that I ended up reloading the it on my laptop.

- Its range is very adequate.
- The utility software that came with the adapter is as straight forward as software can be, no complain here.

While I hate to admit it, Microsoft's wireless notebook kit works extremely well! (Sorry, I'm a former Mac user). I have a cable modem with Adelphi.net and noticed NO discernable reduction in web page viewing when I switched to wireless. (I think downloading large files may be ever so slightly slower, but not so you can notice)

If you're like me and plan to use the wireless connection solely with a notebook, call technical support as soon as you take it out of the box. They are extremely helpful and will guide you through the installation process.

As you can read on the product box, the wireless network works "best" if you have a WIRE Ethernet connection to a desktop computer AND set up the wireless port for use with a laptop. If you don't have a desktop, it just takes a few extra steps to set it up. The techs at customer support are very helpful and can take you through the set-up in 10 minutes....but go ahead and call them 1st. You'll save yourself a headache.

Microsoft also gives you the ability to add WAP secuity, which is a must.

I have no complaints and am very happy with my purchase! (The $20 rebate is a great thing as well)