Linksys BEFW11S4 Wireless Access Point + Cable/DSL Router w/ 4-Port Switch***Linksys WPC11 Instant Wireless PC Card $210

[lotust]

Im pretty sure this is HOT

staples has the

Linksys BEFW11S4 Wireless Access Point + Cable/DSL Router w/ 4-Port Switch for $179 - 10$ rebate =$169
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Linksys WPC11 Instant Wireless PC Card $79
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-40 coupon found on the web.

=210$ shipped for this nice setup

Here


this setup is usually 300$

 

[lotust]

man i thought you guys would be all over this deal

 

[Scamboogery]

Hotter!!!

 

[RazB]

The wireless router itself is worth the deal but the problem with the PC card is that it requires an adapter to work in a desktop. The adapter can cost anywhere from $29-$49. I have the router with 2 wireless USB adapters that allow you to move them around for better reception. Couple this with a $6.00 USB wire set (6' USB AND a 6' USB extension) from Costco and you have the makings of a flexible wireless desk top solution. Very easy setup with the adapters BTW.

 

[FatDragonn]

sorry scam,

but dlink is crap. i wouldn't use dlink anything again, even if it was free

 

[Gene046]

I think most of us got one already. It's a great find, good price.. but I can't say much for the product.

The BEFW11S4 rev1 is full of problems, common problems that most owners have. I'm still waiting for Linksys to get back to me with RMA information.
The WPC11 has a 30 feet range.. It works great when you're in the room with the AP, but once you leave the room, good luck.

The tech told me they cleaned up the act for Rev2 of both models. Supposedly the new wpc11 has a better range, and the new router doesn't have the old glitches.. So before you buy, make sure the stock is rev2.

gene

p.s. I bought my wireless setup before I found anandtech, so I paid too much for them. Not worth it - but if you really, really want a Linksys.. for $210, maybe.

 

[rayjayturbo]

<< I think most of us got one already. It's a great find, good price.. but I can't say much for the product.

The BEFW11S4 rev1 is full of problems, common problems that most owners have. I'm still waiting for Linksys to get back to me with RMA information.
The WPC11 has a 30 feet range.. It works great when you're in the room with the AP, but once you leave the room, good luck.

The tech told me they cleaned up the act for Rev2 of both models. Supposedly the new wpc11 has a better range, and the new router doesn't have the old glitches.. So before you buy, make sure the stock is rev2.

gene

p.s. I bought my wireless setup before I found anandtech, so I paid too much for them. Not worth it - but if you really, really want a Linksys.. for $210, maybe. >>



Revision 2.5 of the wpc11 works for about 40' in the same room with the router. Linksys response was their revision 3.0 wpc11 works much better, I should try it! No satisfaction from tech support or customer service. If you live in a two story house, it does work directly under the router, but still only about 30' to either side.

ray

 

[netcove00]

Don't hold your breath waiting for Linksys to call you back. I tried about 10 times to get my router RMA'd and the CSRs kept telling me that the RMA department would call me. THEY NEVER DID...bastards. I gave up after 10 tries and 45 minutes of waiting each time.

So, I bought another one and it died 3 months later.

Linksys sucks. Avoid them like the plague.

 

[DAICA]

interesting first post netcove00
welcome to anandtech.

 

[HTNut]

<< sorry scam,

but dlink is crap. i wouldn't use dlink anything again, even if it was free >>



Thanks for backing up that statement. It's people like you with their in-depth analysis that make this board worth reading!

HT Nut

 

[kcobra]

Doesn't seem like that hot of a deal, considering you can get the Orinoco AP/router
and gold card for around $200 without any rebates. Try computers4sure and the
gateway/necx store. Also, I think buycomp sells Orinoco stuff.

 

[HTNut]

<< sorry scam,

but dlink is crap. i wouldn't use dlink anything again, even if it was free >>



Thanks for backing up that statement with info. It's people like you who make reading this board a real pleasure!

HT Nut

 

[Scamboogery]

I haven't heard anybody say anything good about any 802.11b hardware. I'm happly using "Warplink" wireless (Acer). It utilizes the 900 MHZ band, but it is incompatible with XP.

 

[Trike]

i'm using some aironet cards, and i haven't had any issues, works pretty good. but then again aironet cards cost an arm and a leg

 

[Scamboogery]

My dilemma is this: I?m building a new home with a pool, yes, you get the picture, surfing the net by the water on my laptop wireless!

 

[Athena]

«I haven't heard anybody say anything good about any 802.11b hardware.»

There are plenty of good 802.11b solutions available -- Linksys is just not among them.

The Lucent/Agere Orinoco and Cisco Aeronet systems are quite good and most of the less expensive Access Points are fine. PCMCIA adapters that use the Intersil chip set do not have the range that you will get with Orinoco although the USB adapters seem to do okay.

For whatever reason, Linksys seems to have done everything wrong when it comes to the wireless end of the product line.

 

[Gene046]

<< My dilemma is this: I?m building a new home with a pool, yes, you get the picture, surfing the net by the water on my laptop wireless! >>



Just make sure you don't drop it in the pool.. hehe notebooks and h2o don't mix.

I use wireless for a much more practical reason.. i surf on the can. It's wasted time if you don't multi-task.

gene

p.s. anyone know if smc or netgear is any good?

 

[JJd]

I just want to go 100' to my backyard office. I was told to go with a line, however, also was told the line is not good traveling that far. Is wireless a good option for this application?

 

[Gene046]

I don't know if you want to put in 100' of wiring.. those cables cost a pretty penny too.

Wireless is hassle free to setup and more flexible.. get one with the range extending antennas just in case. Usually the USB adaptors have better range than the pc cards.

gene

 

[civh]

I have the linksys router in my wireless setup. I however use an HP wireless card which is a rebadged Lucent Orinoco silver. So far I am loving it. I get excellent strength all around my small apartment, even through walls. My setup costed less than the above though. I got the WAP router for 133 when Amazon had the 20 off coupon. And my wireless card was 45 from ubid.

 

[jbloggs]

Sorry to hear from the people who have had bad experience with the Linksys and D-Link. I have no problems with my Linksys BEFW11S4(version 2) using it with the Dlink DLW-650 pcmcia wireless cards. I get great reception in most parts of the house. The lowest signal strength and link quality I get is 50%, which is in a room separated by 1 floor and multiple walls.

By the way, I got my Linksys, about 2 months ago, from Staples for $129 + tax (after PM with Dell and using a coupon).

 

[Athena]

«I was told to go with a line, however, also was told the line is not good traveling that far.»

The maximum length for an Ethernet segment is 100 metres (over 300'). If you can dig a trench from the house to the office, you can bury the cable in some plastic conduit. You would want to be sure that dirt and rain would not leak into the conduit. If you can't trench, use one of the wireless solutions that market booster antennae.

 

[Scamboogery]

<< I use wireless for a much more practical reason.. i surf on the can. It's wasted time if you don't multi-task. >>



I guess that also can qualify as cruising on the internet by the "pool". I do it myself, my wife thinks I'm weird.

 

[Critter736]

I have the same router/switch and have had no problems.... the range is a little suspect but even when I am in the red I am still cruising the interenet...

 

[mpguy]

not too hot. pick up the lucent chipset cards and some router for 150 or less these days. i saw ibm/wavelan cards for 50 bucks the other day and an smc router for 80. so other deals are out there. i also don't know how crucial 128 bit encryption is for neighborhood use so 64 bit should be adequate even though both are slightly flawed. good luck looking.