I've had my Compaq IPAQ 3635 since IPAQs first came out, and have gone through quite a few peripherals that are now gathering dust. First, a wireless modem (too slow - only 14.4k), then a 56k modem card (pain in the butt to find a jack to plug into, and still limited to 56k), then others. But the wireless lan card BY FAR has expanded my use of my Pocket PC the most. I have gone from using the IPAQ as a scheduler and contact list to a high-speed file swapping entertainment device. But I'm getting ahead of myself.

I have a wireless home network using a Linksys BEFW11S4 wireless router/hub, and I have a PC and a laptop hooked up to it. Even though the laptop can be carried around the house, it's still a bit bulky and takes awhile to boot up. I like to search for recipes from Epicurious while I cook, but my laptop lacked the spontaneity and portability to make it useful in my kitchen. Sooo...I decided to wireless enable my IPAQ to see how it would fare.

I first was given a Hawking Wireless LAN CF card by the IS team at my work to try out for a few weeks. It was bulky, the setup was difficult, and the documentation was AWFUL! I searched their website, and there was little info. I tried tech support, but they were closed. I played around with it for awhile, and inexplicably, it started working - but sucking down the batteries rapidly...and the range wasn't great.

I then considered the Linksys wireless CF card, but ruled it out quickly when I recalled the difficulty I had setting up my Linksys PC card and the fact that the range was bad. Also, it was bulky.

I then was given a Socket wireless CF card to try. I was extremely impressed by the size (fits type I and II slots) and the documentation. I loaded the software on my IPAQ, and was impressed with the setup software. Much more powerful than what Hawking offered - it actually allows me to adjust what level of battery power I want to use, or put it on auto. Though I didn't need it, I also was impressed by Socket's web site support. I didn't need it because as soon as I installed it and tweaked a few settings (like host name, etc.), my IPAQ was ROCKING!

I just watched a video from windowsmedia.com while laying on my couch. In bed the other morning I clicked on my IPAQ and 10 seconds from turning it on I was checking the weather! IF YOU HAVE A POCKET PC, GET IT WIRELESS ENABLED WITH A SOCKET CARD.

A few things about the price - it IS more expensive than the competition - almost twice as much as street price of approx $85-90 for the Linksys card. I have seen the Socket card for as low as $150. It's worth it.

As far as technical specs go, I don't want to be redundant with the first reviewer. Suffice it to say, it is WIFI 802.11b compliant, with speeds up to 11Mbps. As mentioned earlier, it fits both Type I and II CF slots.

The card supports WEP encryption, DCHP, Infrastructure and ad-Hoc mode, and everything else you expect a wireless network card to support.

Socket also includes VPN client software on the setup disk in case you have Virtual Private Networking - I do, but haven't tried it yet.

Lastly, the range is fine. I am editing this from
my bedroom upstairs, and my base station is downstairs and on
the opposite side of the house.

Do yourself a favor - make the extra investment and GO SOCKET!




Recommended: Yes