Pros: I CAN SURF ANYWHERE - LOVE IT. Great Customer 24hr. Service
Cons: Drops Connection :-(
The bottom line: Works good usually, randomly drops connection, probably due conflicting electronics in house. When it's working, I'm one happy camper; I'm still trying to narrow the dropped connections reasoning.
Purchased for use with a new IBM Thinkpad laptop with an integrated B card. I know.....I am planning on upgrading to a G card, but the notebook came with it integrated so I'm still using it. But on the point....

Setup....

fairly simple...just a little time consuming....plug all cat-5 cables in from other systems (networks) and from the cable modem, then plug in. Programming my router settings took a phone call to linksys, and about 1 hour on the phone to set everything up. I should admit that I'm a novice, and learning, and although I did all of this while setting up the modem, after one year and going wireless, I had to call again and get some help form Linksys. I suppose if you are a novice, you will do the same, as you have to set up your Mac address, etc...

Linksys support is quite helpful. I always get through on the phone (with hardly a wait), and I've spoken to them at wee hours of the morning...they are 24 hrs - ALL A HUGE PLUS! (I had a learning curve setting up my cable modem a year ago).

Eventually, once set-up, I powered all the systems (2 desktops and one laptop) and everything is working good - not great.

Issues...

I would say half the time I'm surfing, I drop my connection. I still can't narrow it down to anything....could be a phone, my wife's keyboard, UHF TV remote (blasts through walls) ... who knows. I'm very rural and there is no interference from the outside, so it's coming from within the house.

When I do have connection, speed is good - not great. Sometimes I whip through and other times I feel like I'm on dial-up. I know a G card will be faster, but I think it's just the nature of the wireless connection and/or my laptop too. ?


When I do drop the connection, the biggest downfall of all is that I have to restart my notebook. If I try and re-connect back into the network, nothing happens....I've tried over and over and over. Even occasionally, I have to unplug the router and wait a minute before I plug it back in....to reset it. That always works, but it's really a drag and I've talked with Linksys about it...to no avail. They say it could be a faulty router....but I think whatever other electronic wavelength in the house is booting me off.....sometimes it really socks it to me!

Overall....

When it is working, I'm able to leave the house and surf in the yard, and even can take it into my office (a different building outdoors -about 60 feet away)....which is pleasant surprise. I will continue to narrow down the electronic interruption and fix the issue. You may not have the same issues depending upon your notebook's integrated card make or model, your home electronics, or just good luck. I don't know who or what to blame for my dropped connection yet, so I have to say, I'm happy enough just to be browsing wireless most of the time. It's really been the best thing since sliced bread.



Update 09.17.04

It's been 7 months now and I'm still loving this. I still haven't purchased the g-card for the laptop, but my speed is good enough not to worry about it. My connection issue hasn't completely vanished, but I must say its extremely rare now. It happens about once or twice a month, and I think i narrowed it down to an older cordless phone. I guess the radio frequency is similar and sometimes when I get off the phone, the connection drops....but not all the time.....I'm clueless about this.

But as mentioned, my connection is generally solid and I am quite happy with the freedom of wireless. I still highly recommend it as you may not have this issue.