No hassle 802.11g router works great with Macs and PC
Written: Nov 17 '03
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Pros: Simple set up, bargain price, good build quality.
Cons: No WEP password conversion feature like on Apple's Airport. Potential security gaps
The Bottom Line: If you don't want to shell out $200 for Apple's Airport Extreme this is an inexpensive and effective way to go.
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| green-z's Full Review: NetGear WGR614 Router and WG511 WIRELESS PC Card B... |
I have two Macs and a PC laptop, but I prefer my Macs over my PCs for 95% of my work, and usually buy Apple peripherals when feasible.
Since January '03 when Apple introduced the 802.11g standard I've been lusting after a 801.11g router but didn't want to shell out $200 for Apple's Airport Extreme base station. I'm alway skeptical of the non-Apple brands ease of setup and compatibility so I held off. Then I saw an ad for the Netgear WGR614 802.11g wireless router for $64 after rebate I just couldn't resist trying it out.
Set up is no where near as elegant as the Airport software. It uses Internet Explorer or Netscape to manage the base station's firmware rather than have software do it. This isn't that big of a deal but it does pose a security risk if you don't change the base station's IP address. I have to take off a few points for this since the Airport Extreme doesn't expose owners this way.
I didn't have any trouble with setup. The only painful part, compared to configuring an Airport is that you have to enter the entire WEP key after setup to gain access to the network. (Provided you set up security which is always recommended). With Airport the conversion is done for you transparently. Again, with the password stored in my password keychain its a one time pain...unless something happens to your keychain. Then you have to enter the entire WEP key in all over again.
Once set up it worked perfectly. My DSL Internet access speed was equal to what my graphite 802.11b base station gave me which is what I expected. The G speed really shows off in large file transfers between machines. WOW!!! My 802.11b base station was like a kid on a bicycle in comparison. The G speed is like a BMW M5. Very nice. As expected, Rendezvous, Apple's automatic network configuration technology (for OS 10.2 or higher only) worked perfectly too and I was able to access my printers connected to my PowerMac from my PowerBook just like with my Apple 802.11b base station.
At the store I noticed there were two different boxes for the WGR614. The newer version has a big G on the upper right hand corner and the back refers to the model as the WFR614v2. If available this is the one to get as the older model requires a firmware upgrade since it has the earlier non-standard 802.11g. Not a huge deal, but its another step, and who needs to waste time.
Overall, this Netgear is a nice 802.11g router. I'd like to have the Apple brand, but at $140 more than the Netgear I don't see how anyone can justify it. The Netgear does everything well, and I get OK range throughout my 2000 sq. ft. home, though its weak in my lower level at times. For those looking for the latest and greatest at a bargain price, and can tolerate the extra tinkering look for this Netgear router with rebate.
My setup:
PowerMac Dual 1.25 G4 (FW800) w/ OS X 10.3.1
PowerBook 1.25 w/ OS X 10.3.1
Toshiba Satellite 1.5 Celeron laptop w/ XP Home
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 64 AR
Driver Availability: Windows, Linux, and Mac
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Epinions.com ID:
green-z
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Reviews written: 50
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