NETGEAR WN311B RangeMax Wireless-N PCI Adapter

by Netgear

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.8 x 3 inches ; 1.9 ounces
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B000GI0PGK
• Item model number: WN311B-100NAS
• Average Customer Review: 2.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (31 customer reviews)
• Date first available at Amazon.com: May 9, 2006

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description

The NETGEAR WN311B RangeMax Next Wireless-N PCI Adapter offers: Wireless-N protocol for up to 270 Mbps throughput. Up to 10 times more range than an 802.11g network. Backwards compatibility with 802.11g and 802.11b wireless networks.

The NETGEAR WN311B RangeMax Next Wireless-N PCI Adapter makes it easy for you to provide blazing-speed wireless internet access to your desktop computer, letting you surf the web, check email, stream music, make internet phone calls, and get a leg up on opponents when playing online games.

The WN311B has up to 10 times more range than an 802.11g device. View larger.

Easy Setup
The WN311B is a PCI adapter and requires a Pentium 3 class PC with an available PCI slot for installation. It supports Windows Vista and is also compatible with Windows XP and 2000 SP4. Setup is as simple as installing the adapter into a PCI slot, connecting the included antenna, and installing the included software. The external antenna is housed in a small elegant white box that is pretuned for maximum performance and allows for extended range.

Fast, Backwards Compatible, and Secure
The NETGEAR WN311B uses the Wireless-N protocol (based on 802.11n draft) for speeds up to 270 Mbps and a range ten times that of 802.11g adapters. With this much speed and bandwidth, you can easily download large files, place Internet phone calls, download MP3s, stream video, and play online games -- all at the same time, without hiccups, and from farther away. You'll notice the difference immediately.

The WN311B is backwards compatible with 802.11g and 802.11b wireless networks so you'll be able to connect to any hotspot, and it improves network performance up to 50 percent when used with the older 802.11b/g networks.

You can feel secure about your information as the adapter supports Wi-Fi protected access (WPA2-PSK, WPA-PSK) and 64-bit and 128-bit WEP encryption for IEEE 082.11b and IEEE 802.11g. The included software makes managing different WEP passwords a breeze as you can set up different profiles for each location you frequent, saving yourself the trouble of having to type in encryption keys each time you connect to a hotspot you've already used.

The NETGEAR WN311B RangeMax Next Wireless-N PCI Adapter is backed by a 1-year warranty.

What's in the Box
WN311B RangeMax Next Wireless-N PCI Adapter, desktop/wall mountable antenna case, installation guide, setup CD, warranty/support information card.

Product Description

Range Max NEXT extends the possibilities of your wireless home network by providing a Steady-Stream of up to 270Mbps, and is compliant with draft 802.11n. This next generation wireless standard utilizes advanced MIMO (Multi-In, Multi-Out) technology, which delivers incredible speed and range, and for the first time provides wireless interoperability at the highest speeds with other products with Intensi-fi. A Range Max NEXT wireless network creates and maintains stable connections and enough bandwidth to surf the Internet, download MP3s, make Internet phone calls, share files, play network games, and stream high-definition videos, simultaneously at any distance or location in the home or small office. Because Range Max NEXT is compatible with all legacy b and g wireless products, you are sure to be connected.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A little better than average for wireless adapters, August 28, 2010

By 

Saltiva - See all my reviews

This review is from: NETGEAR WN311B RangeMax Wireless-N PCI Adapter (Personal Computers)

So everyone having issues installing this in WINDOWS 7 (64 bit) I figured out how to do it. First you install the software from the disk (includes drivers) then shutdown, install the adapter in PCI slot, reboot and once your logged in you'll probably notice that Windows could not install drivers for this device- not to mention under Computer Management (Right-click Computer select manage>device, other device) it shows the device isn't installed properly- the fix is to select the device under other device (this is your network adapter), select update driver then manually search for your driver, now to find it you need to go through program files (x86), Netgear folder open, and you will see a drivers folder (don't open but select and okay)- here is the actual path for 64 bit default= C:\Program Files (x86)\NETGEAR\WN311B\Driver now windows 7 will connect these drivers to your adapter.
PRESTO
Your adapter will now launch set up wizzard and you'll be good to go.
Signal strength is slightly better than other adapters I've used but you do have to point the face of the RangeMax at your router location, just manuever it til you see the signal improve. Much better than USB adapters.
Drivers are a pain to install, otherwise this would've probably gotten better marks.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Garbage, December 3, 2010

By 

DMA "dmaboyer" - See all my reviews

This review is from: NETGEAR WN311B RangeMax Wireless-N PCI Adapter (Personal Computers)

This is probably one of the worst things I have every gotten.I was trying to improve signal strength and it appear and the antenna would be helpful. The signal strength of this thing is pitiful. I had better signal with a cheap usb adapter than with this. Plus setup is difficult. When you get it set up there is no way to save your selection as to whether to have their software or windows manage the connection. Every time you do anything with your connection there is a pop up which asks you if you want Netgear or Windows to manage your connection. This thing is going back. By the way, I bought it through a brick and mortar store but I want to warn anyone on Amazon who was thinking of buying this. The name Rangemax is a joke.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Terrible, June 16, 2011

By 

Hovannes Abramyan - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: NETGEAR WN311B RangeMax Wireless-N PCI Adapter (Personal Computers)

There is nothing to like about this wifi adapter. Installation was a headache due to issues with Windows 7, despite the assurance on the box that it works with Windows 7. I finally got it to work (it wasn't easy), but then experienced frequent drops in connection. My signal went from excellent to finding absolutely no wireless networks, and cycled continuously. "Garbage" is a bit too kind of a description of this product. Garbage is something you throw out and don't think about. I think about this piece of junk and get angry and feel compelled to destroy it.

This stupid thing cost ~$60 at Best Buy. I went to Fry's electronics and bought a cheapo $20 card that actually works well. The "net" in Netgear apparently stands for "net profit [from selling garbage at ridiculously high prices]."