Apple p44-49 manual NetGearWPN824, RangeMax 71%, LinksysWireless, RouterSRX 81%

HOME NETWORKS

BEST BUYS ROUTERS AND ADAPTORS

We recommend that

you stick to the same

brand for yourWiFi

2 Netgear

adaptor and router.

This ensures that

they’ll work well with

1 Linksys

each other. We’ve

NetGear laptop/

listed the matching

desktop adaptor

adaptors for each of

our Best Buys.

2 NetGearWPN824

combinations ofrouter

The Best Buy

RangeMax 71%

for listening to music a

Linksys laptop

and adaptorwork well

couple ofrooms away –

adaptor

£75 from online retailers

through at least one

1 LinksysWireless

This router doesn’t quite have the reach of the

ofplaster ones.

than most people will need, in fact.

brick wall and a couple

RouterSRX 81%

Linksys but it’s just as fast at short range – faster

have clearer software

easy to use. As with the Linksys, this is down to the

Our Best Buys also

It’s also the only other router on test that’s really

and instructions than

£108 from online retailers

clarity of the software and features such as parental

other models.And

This is a great choice. It’s not cheap, but if you need

control, which lets you control which web pages your

they’re a bit easier to

your wireless network to cover a large area and

kids can look at.

make secure so that

penetrate lots of walls, it’s second to none.

Computer adaptor NetGear’s laptop card is about as

no one can use your

It’s the only router that passed our toughest test:

fast as typical built-in WiFi; its USB adaptor isn’t as

network or see what

passing through two brick walls, one plaster wall

good but it’s still safer than mixing brands.

you’re up to. By

and 20 metres of air. Even under these conditions,

Laptop card NetGear WPN511 RangeMax (£51)

contrast, making the

it easily transmits enough data to listen to music or

USB adaptor NetGear WG511 Wireless PC Card

worst products secure is

keep up with broadband internet.

adaptor (£52)

extremely difficult. It is

Computer adaptorThis router works brilliantly even

KEY

worth saying, though,

with a basic laptop with built-in WiFi. But using the

USING THE TABLE

that none makes the

Linksys laptop card improves the connection greatly

w

q

s

u

d

We tested the latest

security set-up a cinch.

– it’s well worth the extra £90 if you have a large

Best

Worst

routers from big brands.

All the routers we

home and want your network in several rooms.

Best Buy

tested are compatible

The Linksys USB adaptor isn’t as good. It’s unlikely

Price

with any type of

to be much quicker than any other adaptor, though

SCORE

We give a guide price of

computer. That’s

it’s still more likely to work hitch-free with the router.

what you can expect to pay

This ignores price

because you choose

Laptop adaptor Linksys Wireless-G Notebook

for the products online.

their settings on a

adaptor with SRX (£63)

and is based on:

50%

web page via your

USB adaptor Linksys Wireless-G USB Network

Performance

Ease of use

Ease of use

50%

internet browser.

adaptor (£40)

Set-up How easy it is to

(£)

Set-up Security

Use

Range and

(%)

get the router working.

HONEYBALL

software options are

Routers

Price

Ease of use

Performance

Score

We look at the clarity of

instructions and whether

speed

sensibly laid out.

JON

MODEL

Security How easy it is to

TRENHOLM,

make your wireless

1 Linksys Wireless-G Broadband Router SRX

108

w

s

q

w

81

network secure. Use How

2 NetGear WPN824 RangeMax Wireless Router

75

w

s

q

q

71

well informed the software

JOHN

keeps you about what’s

3 Buffalo Air Station Router

100

s

s

s

w

70

Range and speed We

PHOTOGRAPHY

happening on the network.

4

Linksys Wireless-G Broadband Router (One Touch Set-Up)

85

w

s

s

q

67

Performance

5

Belkin F5D8230

90

q

s

u

q

63

6 Buffalo Air Station MIMO Wireless Router

94

s

u

u

q

61

tested the routers with

MICKMARSTON

8

Belkin F5D7632

80

q

u

s

s

51

well as a laptop with built-

7 D-Link DI634M Wireless 108G MIMO Router – DI-634M

80

s

u

s

q

60

USB and laptop adaptors

from the same brand, as

9

BT Voyager 2110

70

w

u

u

u

49

in WiFi. We measured

ILLUSTRATION

11NetGear DG834G Wireless ADSL Firewall Router

75

q

d

s

s

42

and obstacles.

10Cable & Wireless 802.11G Wireless LAN ADSL Router

46

q

d

s

s

45

how quickly they sent data

across various distances

46JANUARY 2006 WHICH?