NetGear XE102 (XE102US) Bridge

Pros: Simple to install, excellent connectivity, inexpensive
Cons: The configuration software (and drivers) can only be run on Windows (98/2000/ME/XP)

In the 3+ years that I've been reviewing products on this site, I think I can count the times that I ...

Pros: Easy to install, good performance, network anywhere! No interference problems like you get with wireless.
Cons: Limited to 4-5Mb/s actual throughput. Might be slower in a house with old wiring.

I've used home phoneline networking, 802.11a/b/g wireless, and run cables to network the homes I've owned over the last few years. The HomePNA phoneline stuff works pretty good. Wireless has a lot of flexibility, especially if you're using a laptop. ...

Pros: Solid adapter for sharing an Internet connection.
Cons: Low throughput performance. Can't stream large media contents in local network. Pretty expensive.

When I was at my old condo complex, I had a bunch of wireless users around in my area. I saw like 5 available wireless access points in my area and I was afraid if I purchased an wireless router, people near me would accidentally connect to my network, ...

Pros: plug and play, consistent, fast
Cons: price

My parents have cable modem broadband, but the only cable jack in the house is located in the family room. I installed a wireless router there a few years ago, but wireless connectivity has always been limited on the second floor of the house. The ...

Pros: Extremely fast compared to WiFi wireless. Easy to install. Inexpensive.
Cons: Need two units to hookup one computer.

Since there was only one review of this product I was sceptical about trying it. I was using a NegGe ...

Pros: When used in standard wiring situations, works great! Does work with Mac systems.
Cons: Cannot be used with powerstrips or powerstrip type wiring.

Works great - but not everywhere! The caveat is that these adapters CANNOT be used with powerstrips (that is shown in the set-up diagrams) or with wiring that acts like a powerstrip (not stated in the book)! I have two offices that use modular wiring (as in a lab) where one can plug a number of items across a long work area. These adaptors apparently "think" of that wiring as a powerstrip set-up and I cannot get the Ethernet signal to move across the wiring. When used in a more standard setting, as in an office with wall mounted duplex receptacles, no problem.
I do have a set up with a Mac G-5 feeding an Ethernet signal to an AirPortExpress downstairs via the house wiring - it works fine!
So there are circumstances where these adapters won't do the job. Check your wiring layout first!

Pros: True Plug and Play, excellent throughput.
Cons: Honestly, none that I can think of.

Plug and Play finally means something. I connected one of these units to my router, plugged it into the wall, then plugged another in the wall upstairs in my wife's office and connected it to her Ethernet port. That's it. Everything worked. Total installation was less than five minutes, and that includes opening the box.

The speed has been superb, and we're not getting the signal drops we used to get with our phone-line network.

If you're considering wireless, you should seriously re-consider and try this system.

Pros: Instant setup, absolutely nothing to install.
Cons: Does not dispense cash or beer. (Just kidding.) No objections.

This comes with a CD and a manual, but I didn't need them. There is no required software to install. I timed myself, and it literally took four minutes from when I had the boxes open (you need at least two) to when I had a functioning network. I literally just plugged it in. There was absolutely nothing to install or configure.

Please understand that this product will not MAKE a network for you. You have to have that already, or buy the parts for it separately. Two of these Ethernet Bridges will take the place of a long Ethernet cable. That's all it does, which is probably why it is so simple to install.

I wanted a total of four, but the store only had three, so I bought a similar product from Belkin, and they were perfectly compatible. I have had them for almost a year now, and they have been 100% trouble free, to the point that I forget they are even there. I'm NEVER going back to wireless!

Pros: Works reliably Easy Setup
Cons: High price

I have a large home and the wireless connection is spotty even with an external antenna on my computer. I was trying to use a Soundbridge to stream music off my computer. The only way I could get it to work consistently was by using the netgear adapter.