A review on my Dongle - Make up your own jokes! (D-Link Airplus G DWL-G122)

Member Name: firemanspam

Product:	D-Link Airplus G DWL-G122
Date:	17/11/08 (238 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Very good solution to my problem.

Disadvantages: Not a lot.

OK I will now write a review on this bit of kit, I have owned it for a couple of years now, and it has given me no trouble whatsoever. It has stood the test of time, even in my rough hands.

To describe this is difficult for a technophobe like me, but the story goes, I had a wireless router installed, at the same time I had broadband, and the fitter assured me that reception would be 100%, no matter where in the house the comp was. He lied of course, probably because he just wanted to screw the junction box as close to the front of the house as possible. The installation was OK, the connection was made, the D-Link DWL-G122 Gizmo was working, job done.

My house is a largish 1930's solid brick building, with a few thick walls between the router and the comp, this meant that reception was usually OK most of the time, however, my Daughter then started using her laptop, and "sapped" my signal. The answer was to either have the router moved, meaning the broadband connection would also have to be resited, or I could go for a "Booster" at Fifty Quid! I was not best pleased, but then someone suggested buying a type of extension, meaning that the D-Link DWL122, which I will call the "Dongle" from now on, could be moved, just like an indoor TV Aerial for those of us that remember them!

For the small price of just a fiver, the problem was no more, I could position the Dongle on the mantle piece, or a chair, depending on the conditions at the time. The signal was also being interfered with by other surfers in the area. The lead on the extension is nearly six feet, which is ample.

The price I paid was a little more than they are now, and I had to buy the extension later, but you can get them both for less than Fifteen Pounds. I would also say you could buy cheaper online, but if you do, please remember the cost of postage and packing.

If memory serves, the installing of the software to the comp, was a doddle. You know the dongle is working, because there is an LED that flashes every few seconds. There seems to be no practical reason for this, but it may well be there just to reassure you.

There is a helpline in case you have difficulties, but I have not had to use it. You will find that no matter where you buy it from, the packaging is very good, so you don't have to worry about damage in transit.

This dongle simply plugs into a spare USB port, so is suitable for any desktop, or even laptop, although nowadays most are already equipped. The fitting is no bigger than a USB stick, so no worries about it taking up space. There is a dongle that is virtually exacty the same as this, the D-Link DWL G132, this is slightly faster should you need it, but the 122 was more than good enough for my needs.

All in all, I can thoroughly recommend it. You may not need the extension, but I mention it just in case you do.

The instructions are very easy to follow, and there are little pictures that help too.

Summary: A cheap easy fix for reception troubles.

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