Linksys Wireless-G USB Kit with SpeedBooster ( WKUSB54GS )

List Price: $139.99

Features:

• High-speed wireless networking for your desktop or notebook via USB 2.0
• Complete solution includes Wireless-G Router and a USB Adapter for your computer -- both with SpeedBooster
• New SpeedBooster technology increases Wireless-G performance by up to 35%
• Router shares a high-speed Cable or DSL Internet connection and other resources with both wired and wireless PCs
• Easy, no-tools setup on any desktop or notebook computer with USB support

Customer Reviews:

Linksys w/speedbooster is much better than Linksys w/regular router. [Posted on 2006-07-16]
I bought the "regular" Linksys wireless router (wrk54g) 14 months ago for my laptop at home (a three story townhouse). I had no problems getting a signal anywhere in the house.
Well, last month I decided to make my desktop computer wireless and bought a Linksys PCI card to make the connection. The big problem I ran into was that the desktop is 3 floors away from the router, and I can't really move either. So my connection to the internet kept disconnecting because the antenna of the PCI card does not have a clear path to the router (the desk housing the computer is facing the other way). Linksys phone support tried to help me get a stronger signal, but told me that I'd either have to move the old router closer, or get the router with speedbooster and the usb adapter.
The setup is a pain in the ___, hence 4 stars instead of 5. If you have to call Linksys phone support, pull up a chair and a tv -- it's going to be a while till they get someone in India to talk to you. They are pretty helpful once you get through, but I had to call back a few times and twice I waited over 40 minutes.
Anyway... the reasons this kit with speedbooster and usb adapter is better is simply the usb adapter can connect to any usb port by a cord and then face the device w/antenna anywhere you want, allowing for a clear shot to the router.
Yes, I believe the speedbooster helps with speed -- slightly, it's kinda hard to tell, but at times I can.
Probably the biggest surprise though (and biggest plus) is that I don't get interference from the mircowave like I did with the old Linksys router. Both run on a 2.4ghz frequency, so I don't know why. Everytime I would run the mirowave before, my laptop would not connect unless I was almost two rooms away from it. With the new router, I sit at the table (5 feet away) without a problem.
Here are a couple of tips for anyone setting this kit up:
1. Turn off firewalls/security systems during set up.
2. Insert installation cd for router.
3. Connect router.
4. Insert installation cd for usb adapter.
5. Connect usb adapter.
Hopefully, you're now connected to the internet.
EXTRA TIPS TO ENHANCE YOUR SPEED/CONNECTION:
6. Click on a browser ie: foxfire or explorer.
7. Type the following into the address bar (without www): 192.168.1.1
8. This should open up a box asking for username and password for the Linksys program within your computer.
9. Don't enter anything into username. The password is: admin
10. The Linksys page should now be open. Click on the "Wireless" tab at the top of the page.
11. Make your wireless network mode: G-only (unless you are also running B freq, which is not used much with today's gadgets) - this will make the router faster.
12. Next box, change the name of the wireless network to whatever. If you leave it Linksys, there is a chance you could pick up another nearby wireless signal, causing a conflict within your computer -- your signal could drop and reconnect over and over.
13. Change the wireless channel from 6 to 11. Channel 11 is a strongest channel giving you the best connection.
That's it -- and you thought I'd never shut up.
Good luck.

Great hardware and price, AWFUL software [Posted on 2007-11-09]
As long as you're able to install it, this is an excellent product. After setting it up, I have an excellent signal eventhough it has to go through two walls.
However, I only gave 4 stars (tempted to give it 3, but the price is just too good), because the software installation is a real pain. After trying for 2 hours to set it up via the provided cd's I gave up. Instead I just installed the client driver and set up the router through the browser, this didn't take more than 15 min.
Great hardware, but the software installation is impossible (doesn't help that the manual is not printed)

great connection [Posted on 2008-02-29]
i hardly ever have an issue with this router. doesn't drop connection like the B router that i had previously.

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