Microsoft 802.11g, 802.11b Wireless Hardware Hot Deals

[WHipLAsh13]

Working for a hardware manufacturer I can tell you that by law Microsoft is obligated to support a product for 3-5 years after discontinuation.

 

[Nemesis300]

For those of you wondering about these MS routers and cards the one thing I can say is that the software that comes with it is kinda shady. I bought a 802.11b NIC a few weeks ago and the thing works great but the software that came with it sucks, so I uninstalled it and replaced it with boingo. I assume the router has the same software. Basically the card asks you if you want to connect to a MS broadband router, thus this is why I didn't like the software. Also it seems the software doesn't like looking for non-MS APs. I couldn't connect/see a linksys AP with the software, but once I replaced it with boingo I could see/connect to it.

my .02

 

[Shaka]

Originally posted by: Nemesis300
For those of you wondering about these MS routers and cards the one thing I can say is that the software that comes with it is kinda shady. I bought a 802.11b NIC a few weeks ago and the thing works great but the software that came with it sucks, so I uninstalled it and replaced it with boingo. I assume the router has the same software. Basically the card asks you if you want to connect to a MS broadband router, thus this is why I didn't like the software. Also it seems the software doesn't like looking for non-MS APs. I couldn't connect/see a linksys AP with the software, but once I replaced it with boingo I could see/connect to it.

my .02

intriguing. good thing CC has a good return policy.

 

[tRaptor]

Just wanted to add, I went to my Office Max and Best Buy in Sioux Falls today, here is what i remember:

OM:
802.11b Router + PCMCIA Card $39.99
802.11g PCI Card: $39.99
802.11g PCMCIA CardL $39.99

At OM the 802.11g Router was like $70 Still.

At Best Buy:

802.11b Router: $29.99 (I picked this up)

They also had the PCMCIA, and PIC and USB thingies pretty cheap, i cant remeber exactly, but i know it was a good deal cheaper then the linksys/dlink when i passed them.

~Tyler

 

[substance12]

the only thing driving me to upgrade from my linksys 802.11B router is the addition of WAP and it's such a good price. The speed increase is of minimal concern to me. I take it this router does all the standard configurations like DMZ, port forwarding, MAC filtering, etc?

my linksys has been a solid performer. I hate to mess with a stable config. someone slap some sense into me!

 

[QSnexus]

The router hardware itself is good, I own the MN-500 which is the 802.11b version router. Never had problems with it and I have flashed it twice since owning to keep it up to date. The Windows software is a little odd but you don't need it after initial setup (and you may not need it at all).

 

[Yo2]

got canceled too - f*** outpost

 

[tRaptor]

Originally posted by: QSnexus
The router hardware itself is good, I own the MN-500 which is the 802.11b version router. Never had problems with it and I have flashed it twice since owning to keep it up to date. The Windows software is a little odd but you don't need it after initial setup (and you may not need it at all).

You dont. Just connect it to a computer, and type 192.168.2.1 as the address in your browser, "admin" is the default password.

The one i got today I set up completly with my iBook, I have 2 wireless routers now running as just switches with access points

 

[RedShirt]

Originally posted by: substance12
the only thing driving me to upgrade from my linksys 802.11B router is the addition of WAP and it's such a good price. The speed increase is of minimal concern to me. I take it this router does all the standard configurations like DMZ, port forwarding, MAC filtering, etc?

my linksys has been a solid performer. I hate to mess with a stable config. someone slap some sense into me!

If you have some form of security on your network and don't broadcast your SSID (or better yet, don't broadcast, use mac filtering, and encrypt). There is no need to upgrade if you don't need the speed. Save your cash. If your network works fine, don't mess with it.

 

[RedShirt]

I've updated a few things in the original post.

Can anyone confirm being able to use the Wireless Xbox Adaptor as a bridge on a normal network?

 

[RagingBITCH]

Both the USB adapter and the router went through fine for me on Outpost

Regarding the router/stability/etc - I have the MN500 (802.11b) and I can say it's a rock solid router. Never had any problems whatsoever but I'd like to have the G version for speed purposes.

And like others have said - you just need to access the router admin page via 192.168.2.1 - I installed their software because I like having the status of the network and such up on the main computer, but it's totally unnecessary. Their software is hardly obtrusive or CPU intensive, so it doesn't hurt to install it. It was a complete breeze to setup.

They really made some great equipment and I'm sad to see them leave the industry

 

[jasonja]

My local Target had the G router for $49.99. Stupid OM across the street still wants $99.00 for it and snubbed up their nose when I showed them a print out from their own website selling it for $49.00. They wouldn't budge on PMing their website

 

[TwiceOver]

Local wal-mart All Motorola Wireless G stuff $39.99 not clearance, no rebates. Included PCI, PCMCIA, USB, Router. Motorola Wireless B same stuff $19.99.

 

[allisolm]

Member CheapArse posted "This weekend(5/29-5/30) CC will have the PCI desktop G adapter and laptop card G adapter for $20 each."

Unfortunately, I don't see these in the CC flyer for Memorial weekend. Maybe May 30 ad?

 

[gwynethgh]

"Member CheapArse posted "This weekend(5/29-5/30) CC will have the PCI desktop G adapter and laptop card G adapter for $20 each."

Unfortunately, I don't see these in the CC flyer for Memorial weekend. Maybe May 30 ad? "

I can't even find that CC sells the pci card.

Correction-You have to sneak up on it but CC does sell this card. Currently at 40$ after rebates. Maybe we WILL see the sale later.

 

[RedShirt]

So the Circuit City deal is a no go then?

 

[ponyo]

My SMC wireless router died last night. Good thing I saw this thread. I went to Target and picked up the G router for $49.99+tax. Not the best deal but pretty good one. Seems to work fine although surfing seems bit slower. Takes up lot less deskspace than my old router. Hopefully this will last lot longer than my previous SMC router.

 

[Bot69]

What do you guys think of this. Is either the USB1.0/1.1 or the 11mbps data rate limiting if I have cable internet (Time Warner)? I just ordered one for my PC even though I have no experience with wireless technology. Just felt like playing with something new. Damn tax in Cali...

 

[Yo2]

Originally posted by: Bot69
What do you guys think of this. Is either the USB1.0/1.1 or the 11mbps data rate limiting if I have cable internet (Time Warner)? I just ordered one for my PC even though I have no experience with wireless technology. Just felt like playing with something new. Damn tax in Cali...

The practical throughput of 802.11b is generally established at 6 mbit/s (check out most reviews) This is likely not limiting on the WAN side - fastest speeds I have seen so far are around 9.8mbit/s with cablevision's optimum online service. Most others offer between 1 and 5 mbit/s. The zonet stuff is cheap - let me know how you like it.

 

[HmongGuy]

Asante Wireless G PC Card (Mfr# AL5410-G) » only $9.99
More eCOST.com Deals : More Networking Deals



eCOST.com is carrying this Wireless G PC Card for $24.99
There is a $15 Exclusive Rebate on compactflash until 06/30/2004
Your Final Price: $24.99 - $15 = $9.99
eCOST.com offers free shipping on $25 or more! $3.95 handling fees on most orders!

Note: eCOST.com charges sales tax in California and Tennessee states!

Stolen right off of eDealinfo.com

Edit: I know it's not Microsoft, but just letting you know.

 

[ponyo]

Ok, after using this router for little more than a day I've decided to return the router. It's easy to setup and use but it has serious lag issues when using wired switch ports. Wireless doesn't lag and works great but any computer hooked up via ethernet cable to the switch ports has serious lag. Pages load really slow. Feels like I'm using 56k modem instead of DSL. I updated firmware but doesn't seem to help. I miss my SMC barricade.

 

[Yourself]

Originally posted by: Naustica
Ok, after using this router for little more than a day I've decided to return the router. It's easy to setup and use but it has serious lag issues when using wired switch ports. Wireless doesn't lag and works great but any computer hooked up via ethernet cable to the switch ports has serious lag. Pages load really slow. Feels like I'm using 56k modem instead of DSL. I updated firmware but doesn't seem to help. I miss my SMC barricade.

I'm returning mine as well. No matter which ports I forwarded, I couldn't get a server set up behind it. I even put the server in the DMZ and it wouldn't allow any connections.

Self

 

[Yo2]

Interesting - may be that's why M$ is leaving the market...

 

[ParatoOptimal]

I tried to special order a Wireless-G PCI Card at a CC store.
The CSR told me no games or software can be special ordered.
She told me it was software. So, I couldn't special order it.
I explained that it was hardware but they said that since it was Microsoft, it was software. I explained that it was hardware as much as the HD I special ordered tuesday and was picking up at the moment. I had to install the steel hardware as I would the HD. She said I installed it on the computer but it was software. I said it was a piece of steel/aluminum card that I had to open up the computer to install. The computer department guy was there to back me up but she wouldn't relent. She said I installed it but it was software that I was installing. Her screen said no special ordering even though the warehouse had plenty and I wanted to pay up front in full. DAHHHH!!

BTW, 2 different CSRs told me a few days earlier that the PCMCIA Wireless-G Card I bought only had a 14-day software return period. Hardware has a 30-day return period.

I went home and called the one other CC that would be getting one delivered tomorrow to special order over the phone.
I was told that I could.

My call was forwarded to the computer department.
The computer dept guy told me he had special ordered one for himself a week ago but that they weren't coming in.

I told him another store looked them up and found that they were due to be delivered to HIS store tomorrow. (Why didn't he know how to look that up? A department salesman and CSR did it at the other store.)

After looking it up and telling me he ordered one for himself, he asks, "it's a notebook right?". DAHHHH!! It's a wireless-G PCI adapter for a desktop.

After going through EVERYTHING to special order it, he asked me how I wanted to pay for it. I offered my credit card, of course.
How else can you pay over the phone.

He told me he couldn't take any payment over the phone.
Then, why did he ask me HOW I wanted to pay for it?

He then tells me that he can special order it with no payment down and hold it aside for me to pay when I pick it up.
Great! Lets do that.
He then tells me I have to put down at least 15% to hold it for me. DAHHHH!!!!!

He told me to go online to use my credit card.

Why do these idiots have jobs dealing with comp stuff when they don't have a clue about fire or the wheel, never mind computers or their own policies?
There are brilliant people out of work all over the country.



I know this is a moan but it's post specific.

 

[ParatoOptimal]

Has anyone seen the advert for this weekend?

Does it show the Wireless-G PCI and PCMCIA Cards for $20?