If wireless network costs kept you away, new 802.11b components from Linksys may change your mind.
The Linksys Instant Wireless Network PC Card (AU$351.61) and the Linksys Instant Wireless PCI Adapter (AU$94.46) use a single radio component installed either directly in notebook computers or in desktops via the adapter.
This strategy helps users stay flexible and within budget: They can use the same cards this year in desktop PCs and then next year in notebooks instead of leaving expensive NICs sitting on their shelves. Easy configuration software aids installation.
These products are not the only affordable home network choice: USB and PC Card Home RF NICs from Intel and Proxim range from AU$400 to $800. HomeRF is currently limited to 1.6 Mbps and faces increased competition from 802.11b, which is faster and already entrenched in enterprise applications.
If you're going to network just a few PCs at home, current HomeRF products can do the job economically, because you don't need to buy an access point. If you need more speed, choosing 802.11b for your home network makes a good deal of sense. For businesses, 802.11b is the only viable choice.
We tested the Instant Wireless Network PC Card installed in a Compaq Presario 12xl300 and the PCI adapter with a PC Card in a Dell Dimension 4100. We used an early version of Linksys's new Instant Wireless Network Access Point (AU$695.35 street) for propagating the signal. A configuration utility for the PC Card displays the wireless connection status on the Windows task bar and lets you select channels and other settings.
With prices dropping, 802.11b wireless networking becomes ever more attractive. The Linksys Instant Wireless Network PC Card and PCI Adapter help reduce prices further by using a common component for desktop and notebook PCs.
Linksys Instant Wireless Network PC Card
Company:Linksys Group
Ph:03 9504 0658
Price: AU$351.61
Rating:
Requires: 90-MHz Pentium PC or better; 16MB RAM; Type II-compatible PC Card slot; Microsoft Windows 95, 98, 2000, Me, or NT
Linksys Instant Wireless PCI Adapter
Company:Linksys Group
Ph:03 9504 0658
Price: AU$94.46
Rating:
Requires: 32MB RAM; PCI Local Bus 2.1 compliance; Microsoft Windows 95, 98, 2000, Me, or NT
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