Read top consumer ratings: Netgear WNR834B-100NAS

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Category: Personal Computers
Brand: Netgear
Model: WNR834B-100NAS
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Netgear WNR834B-100NAS Consumer Report

Netgear WNR834B-100NAS Review by K. Klions

Let me say right off the bat that this applies to a home network with three relatively new computers (Windows XP) and the Netgear WN121T draft-N USB adaptors that are made for this product. I've seen a number of bad reviews for this router from people using older systems or mixed adaptors (different brands or mixing wireless-b or wireless-g), so I can't vouch for that setup, but I must say that I have been extremely pleased with this whole Netgear system. Years ago I installed an 802.11b network in the same location and it took hours of frustration, and numerous calls to tech support to finally get the thing to work. Times have changed and, in my case anyways, the setup wizard took care of the wireless router installation, connected me to the right place to upgrade the firmware, and the wireless adaptors on the upstairs computers then automatically found the network and connected on the first try. There was only one slight glitch on the setup when the program sensed that my internet connection used a static IP address. It asked if I thought this was correct and prompted "yes" or "no" (I chose no) and it then retried and determined correctly that my internet uses dynamic IP assignment. If not for that it was flawless. Total setup time for the router was about 20 minutes. Maybe 5 minutes for each of the USB adaptors.

Speed is palpably faster than on the old 802.11b network. In fact when I run a download/upload speedtest from the upstairs computers now I get almost no difference compared to my wired connection (about 6mbps). Running a game between home network computers is now totally lag free, which is a pleasant change.

One concern people seem to have is that the draft-N protocol may or may not be compatable (or even upgradable) to the N standard (when and if they ever get around to that). I decided not to wait for one simple reason. Since this draft-N seems to have all the speed I need, and I will not be needing to integrate other components in the next year or two, I couldn't care less if this ends up incompatable with the N standard. It's a great system and it's ready now. If you are setting up a large network that may need to be expanded in the near future you may be well advised to wait for the N standard to be finalized. But for a small home network, there's no real reason to avoid jumping in now.

Netgear WNR834B-100NAS Review by Evan Barker "Temple Owl" (Philadelphia, PA)

I saw a LOT of bad reviews about this product but thought that I'd give it a shot it was only a hundred bucks. I currenly have two computers hooked up wirelessly, one is a new desktop running vista with a WN121T USB adapter hooked into it, the othre is a three year old dell with intel proset 2200 BG. This product took me a grand total of 25 minutes to hook up. I wired my laptop to it, downloaded the latest firmware and it started right up. Let me just say also that, contrary to popular opinion the install wizard works. My network is up and installed for 2 weeks giving me great performance. Three stories up my laptop is connecting perfectly. Benchmarked the speeds on line and felt them to be as quick as wired. Furthermore, the desktop is one floor above the router and is connecting at 200 MBPS. If you use this router and by the appropriate adapter it will work great. Unless this breaks I am very satisfied. Spend the money get all matching components and you will have no issue

Netgear WNR834B-100NAS Review by A. F. "World Traveler" (Elk Grove, CA USA)

I just got the product today from Amazon and decided on it because Consumer Reports rates this model #1. When I opened up the box and tried setting it up, the CD didn't start up. I have Vista 64bit and not all CD's will work on my system so I called the customer service number listed on the support browser that poped up and they not only had me up and running in less than 15 minutes, they also had my laptop that has an HP wireless card connected within those same 15 minutes and they also help me set up maximum security with this unit. I did not have to update any software or drivers either.

Great customer service and very knowledgable as well.

Granted that I'm very happy from the first day, I'm hoping that it stays that way.

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