Pros: "Idiot-proof" setup utilities that actually are! Cheap. Easy. I like that.
Cons: Software not compatible with Win2K.
The Bottom Line: If you need a router for home or small business networks, getting more than one PC on broadband, buy this. It just doesn't get any easier.
But I'd still take her home to Mom. The Belkin 4-Port Cable/DSL Gateway Router was everything the package promised. Easy setup, fast throughput, and even stylish. I'm happy as a clam, but I expected to be: it's Belkin.
Here's what happened. A friend asked me to set up a small (4 PCs) network at their business. The business is set at 4 people and will stay at that. They wanted broadband access. Okay, I called Verizon about DSL: no joy, they're out of range. Damn. I've never done cable, but that looked like the good option, since the building was already wired for cable.
Bingo! The Optimum Online sales guy said yes, we can get it, and yes, the price was right, and yes, no problem, we could run it through our little network.
Liar. Once the network was set up, I fired up the cable modem and connected it to one PC. It worked. Then I tried running it through the network. No dice. After a number of calls to tech support, the truth came out: they don't support networking. But one tech told me that he couldn't guarantee anything, his boss didn't like him saying this, and it might not work, but... get a router.
So I checked into routers, and the Belkin looked like a winner. Cheap (under $100), right size (it works as a 4-port network hub and fits in a kid's lunchbox), solid (like I said, it's Belkin), and easy setup. Well, maybe. I got it.
Outstanding! Setup of the four port network took under half an hour! I bought the thing about 90 minutes ago, drove 15 minutes back from CompUSA (not the best price, BTW, but close and in-stock), stopped for Chinese take-out, Read The Fine Manual even, and THEN installed everything... and I'm using the cable connection over the network now. I like that.
One little problem. The setup software (which is ridiculously easy and very well-documented -- one glitch, they screwed up a screen shot, but not badly) did not work with the one Windows 2000 Professional machine we have. But it rolled over for me anyway and that's actually what I'm working on.
How about that?! It's working well, and it was easy, and it's fast. What more can you ask?
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 99.99 Driver Availability: Windows only
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