Pricing
I was in the market for a router because it seemed the best way to connect a second computer to my broadband DSL connection. I had no previous experience with routers. The metal casing, reputation of Netgear, and the supposedly easy set-up were the main selling points to me. I purchased the RP614 through Amazon. Their price may not be the absolute lowest, but their service is always reliable, and they are currently offering free shipping on this item.

Paid: $44.94, with free shipping, and if I ever get around to sending in the rebate, price after rebate will be $29.94.

Set Up
I bought this router to share a broadband connection. Specifically, I have ADSL through Verizon Avenue (a division of Verizon offering high-speed internet via "DSLAM's" in certain apartment buildings). The modem is an ancient 3Com Homeconnect dual-link provided by Verizon. I am connecting an iMac running MacOS 9.1 and a PeeCee running Windoze XP.

Set up was simple and intuitive. Connect the modem to the router's internet port with an ethernet cable (all cabling can be done with "straight" cat5 patch cables, no need to mess around with cross-over cables as is the case with some other routers). Connect your computer to port 1 on the router. Plug in the power cord to the router. Log into the router's settings via a web browser (it can automatically detect the type of internet connection you have), and you're ready to go. You may need to reset everything after you plug in the second computer to port 2. Actually, I had to reset both computers several times, and struggled a bit with the Windoze internet settings.

Another great feature is that no installation of drivers or software is required. Recent versions of MacOS, Windoze, and Linux already have the necessary networking software built-in. This router is really platform independent.

Performance
Verizon Avenue uses the dreaded PPPoE (PPP over ethernet) protocol where you have to log-in as with dial-up. They make you use the lame Mac or WinPoet software to log-in. My Netgear router liberated me from Verizon's software -- the router handles the log-in, so now that step is invisible. Speed seems as good or better, even with both computers surfing at the same time. Occasionally, I seem to lose a connection on the router even though the modem indicates the ADSL connection is still good. A reset usually remedies this situation. A reset involves 1) unplugging both the router and modem, 2) plugging in first the modem and waiting for it to synch, 3) plugging in the router, and 4) restarting the computer(s). In general, it just works.

Other Features I don't use
This router has all sorts of settings to play around with for power users. I just haven't had time yet to do so. I believe it offers various filtering capabilities, port forwarding, etc. Also, you can connect up to 4 computers to this router (or more if you add a hub).

Update 11/24/2003
After two months, this router is still performing reliably. The only glitch I've noticed is that occasionally it gets stuck in the PPPoE log-in process, especially after long idle periods. In that case it's necessary to either reset the router (by unplugging and plugging in again) or manually connect by logging in to the router's browser interface. I still haven't used any of the filter capabilities of this router because I just have no use for them -- there are no children in my household.

Recommended: Yes

Amount Paid (US$): 44.94
Driver Availability: Windows, Linux, and Mac