The most cost effective router "routed out" (Netgear WGR614 Cable/DSL 54 Mbps Wireless Router)

Member Name: becktheone

Product:	Netgear WGR614 Cable/DSL 54 Mbps Wireless Router
Date:	21/08/08 (173 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Affordable and reliable

Disadvantages: Difficult to set up

For a long time, my family have had one computer connected to the internet, via a cable modem. However, last year, I purchased a computer in preparation for university. Now, after completing a year, I returned home and soon found the lack of internet access on my new computer a little annoying. It was for this reason that I purchased a router.

I did a large amount of research in preparation for buying a router, as there are two basic types of router: cable and modem. Most internet providers, such as AOL and BT, use a modem connection and for this reason need a modem router. Virgin Media, however, uses cable, and this is the service my family currently uses. Whilst looking for my router, I had three main criteria in mind:

1) Price
I wanted quite a cheap router as I only required it for basic tasks such as surfing the internet and checking my emails. For this reason I was not prepared to pay a large amount for the router.

2) Speed
Whilst I wanted a cheap router, I expected a certain amount of quality of speed of internet from it. Whilst 54mps is I believe the slowest speed you can get nowadays, I had heard from a friend that it was perfectly sufficient for the everyday tasks mentioned above.

3) Ease of setup
Whilst I know a little about computers, I did not want the hassle of having to go through complicated procedures just to get my computer onto the internet.

My purchase was the "starter kit" Netgear WGR614 Cable/DSL 54 Mbps Wireless Router, from Argos. I paid £56.99 for it as of early August 2008. Note that I did not buy the router on its own; Argos offered in this starter kit a USB adapter or "dongle" as I shall refer to it from now on. This is essential for setting up a wireless network, as it allows the router to send information from your modem to the computer you are trying to get internet on. Most modern laptops have a wireless network card built in, and so do not need one of these. Desktops however will usually need a dongle.

Argos listed the specifications as follows:

* Starter kit including a wireless 54Mbps cable router and USB adapter.

* Speed 54Mbps.

* Range 100m (speed and range indication will vary due to environmental and other factors).

* Built-in firewall.

* WEP and WPA security built-in.

* 1 external antenna.

* Compatible with 802.11b/g wireless standards.

* 4 Ethernet ports.

* Includes SmartWizard installation software.

* Compatible with: Windows 98/ME/NT2000/XP, Mac OS, NetWare, UNIX or Linux, Internet Explorer 5.0 or Netscape 4.7 or higher.

* Size (H)2.8, (W)17.5, (D)11.9cm.

* Weight 0.3kg.

* Supplied with a WG111GE USB adaptor.

On a personal note, I can confirm it is also compatible with Windows Vista, as this is the operating system I use. I took the product home and set it up that evening. The product advertises itself as being very quick to set up and that the smart wizard installation software could do it for you.

However, a lot of the instructions onscreen were too technical for me and I would not have been able to setup my router if it weren't for my more technically minded brother who knew what to do and helped me sort the problems out. This I think suggests the product might not be suitable for those who have no clue about computers.

However once I had set up the internet, I found the router to be worth every penny I had paid for it. My internet access was nice and fast, and there have so far been no problems or mishaps related to the router. It has built in security, where you can choose a number and password specific to your router. This means that nobody else can access your internet with a wireless adapter, thus protecting privacy.

Buy this product if you...
* are looking for a cheap, reliable router for basic internet use

Don't buy this product if you...
* have a very large house - as a cheap router, the signal might not be able to travel all the way to the furthermost rooms and through very thick walls
* want to use it for online gaming - I tested this on Wolfenstein Enemy Territory, the online game, and found the connection was laggy. I would advise buy a more powerful router for online gaming.

OVERALL
Despite the difficulties I had in setting up the wireless network, I found the product to be reliable once I had got it going. I do recommend this product to anybody who is looking for an affordable and reliable wireless router - although I do advise ask somebody who knows a little about computers to help you do so, as I have done!

Summary: Recommended but be warned; not as user friendly as it claims

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