Get the latest, fastest wireless speeds with this easy-to-use access point. Networking doesnt have to be complicated and it doesnt have to mean trailing wires around the house. Linksys makes some of the easiest wireless networking gear to get working. You get the Ethernet cable in the box so if you already have a wired network you can plug this access point in to it and start using wireless from any PC with a wireless adapter, usually without even setting it up because of the sensible default settings.
To make sure youre secure youll want to change the default name and turn on encryption and the setup software makes this very simple. If you want to do more sophisticated management such as specifying a list of computers that can connect to it, the Web interface to the access point means you can administer it from any PC on the network.
The purple and grey box is sturdy but it comes with a mounting plate if youd rather mount it on a wall. It stacks neatly on top of other Linksys network hardware too. The indicator lights on the front are clearly labelled, so you know when data is flowing over your network. You can swivel the two antennae to get the best reception but even without adjusting, you get a fast enough connection to watch full screen video over a wireless connection without it jumping and bumping around on screen.
The 54G and Wireless-G labels mean that this is a faster wireless network than the common 802.11b products-- up to five times faster--but the 802.11g standard that defines these high speed networks hadnt been fully agreed on when the WAP54G went on sale. This means there are going to be software updates to install onto the access point to make it match the standard and improve speeds when you use it with 802.11b devices. Installing these upgrades isnt difficult, but it does mean the WAP54G isnt quite as blissfully simple to use as it first seems. Unless youre waiting for the final standard, the WAP54G is a simple, speedy and well-priced way to get a fast wireless network up and running. ––Mary Branscombe
the review entitled THIS DOES NOT CONTAIN AN ADSL MODEM - BEWARE!!! is unfair as the submitter admits that he bought the wrong device. Linksys have two broadband routers, one with ADSL modem and one which can be used for a broadband connection that uses an ethernet to connect to a PC.
When upgrading from an older 11b to 11g network one should be aware that the PC:s can no longer use USB-connected adapters, unless they also have a USB2 card, since USB1 is limited to 11Mbs.
I purchased this device so that I could sync my phone with my desktop PC.
Very easy to install, reasonably straightforward to get working, functions perfectly. Looks discrete in the PCMCIA slot, although I would have preferred a blue LED to the acid green that it has.
Installing the Bluetooth USB adapter on my Windows XP Pro system was as easy as 1 2 3. The product is supplied with everything you are likely to need and like most USB devices all you need is a spare USB port to be up and running.