Almost everywhere you go you’ll find some sort of wireless networking, coffee shops, airports and numerous other places, it has become so common that most people even have it in their homes as well. You’ll find it being used for home networks, gaming systems, televisions and basic internet access to help avoid the clutter of wires that come with traditional networks. Your choices are to install a PCI card, which can be a pain, or to use a USB thumb drive type of wireless adapter which makes things very easy…

Review: Netgear WG111v2 Wireless USB Adapter

Reviewed by: Kristofer Brozio

Sponsor: DragonSteelMods

Tech Specs,Features or the Basic Info:

Netgear WG111v2 Wireless USB Adapter

Mobile Access That Fits in Your Hand

NETGEAR’s 54 Mbps Wireless USB 2.0 Adapter provides wireless access to your desktop or notebook PC through the computer’s USB port. Optimized for use with the 54 Mbps Wireless Router, it enables you to download large files, video conference, distribute and play high-quality digital movies, photos and MP3s without the effort and expense of running cables. Plus, installation is fast and easy thanks to a unique setup CD that automatically detects necessary settings, and a configuration utility that lets you monitor signal strength and adjust security settings. Standard 802.11g compliant and backwards compatible, it works with either 802.11g or 802.11b wireless routers and access points.

High Performance Wireless g: 

NETGEAR’s 54 Mbps Wireless Router covers your network with up to five times the speed of standard b wireless routers

Physical Specifications: 

Dimensions (l x w x h): 3.72 x 1.19 x .6 in (94.5 x 30.2 x 15.2 mm)

Weight: 1.13 oz (32 g)

Frequency:

2.412 ~ 2.462 GHz (US)

2.412 ~ 2.472 GHz (Japan)

2.412 ~ 2.472 GHz (Europe ETSI)

Wireless Speeds: 

1, 2, 5.5, 6, 9, 11, 12, 18, 24, 36, 48, 54 Mbps (auto rate capable), compatible with 802.11b or 802.11g

Encryption: 

64- and 128-bit WEP encryption

WPA-PSK and WPA2-PSK

Electromagnetic Compliance: 

FCC Part 15 Class B

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Modulation Type:

802.11b: Direct Sequence Spread Spectrum (CCK, DQPSK, DBPSK)

802.11g: Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (64QAM, 16QAM, QPSK, BPSK)

Standards Capability:

PC: USB 2.0 Compliant, Windows® 98SE, Me, 2000, and XP, 802.11g wireless standard

A Better Look at Things

:

Many people out there aren’t very tech savvy when it comes to opening up their computer cases, let’s face it it can even be a bit of a daunting task for the average ‘Joe’ PC owner when it comes to doing something like this. If you want to add wireless networking to your desktop or laptop PC, one of the options you have is to do just that, open up that computer case and install a wireless enabled PCI card. Well don’t feel alone, many people don’t have a clue what a PCI Card is either, but I bet more people know what a USB thumbdrive is right? It’s those little storage devices that you plug into your computers’ USB port to transfer data back and forth wherever you need to.

Today for review I’ve got something very similar to a USB thumbdrive, in shape and size, but it’s actually a wireless networking adapter that can easily add wireless functionality to any computer that you’d like to have connected to a wireless network. This product is the Netgear WG111v2 Wireless USB Adapter, it’s compatible with 802.11g and b standards so no matter what frequency your network is on you’re covered.

In the box with the actual adapter comes a brief instruction manual, a software disc, three foot long USB extension cable, plastic cradle, and some self-stick velcro tabs. According to the manual estimated time for installation is between five and fifteen minutes, not bad at all, I found it took me only about ten minutes from start to finish.

The included plastic cradle is used in conjunction with the USB extension cable to hold the Netgear adapter by mounting it to the side of your monitor or even your PC case by using the included sticky velcro tabs, the adapter just slides in and out of the cradle, of course this is optional but it does keep things a bit neater and out of the way.

Installation, Testing and Comparison

Installation is very simple, put the included CD into your computer and follow the instructions, Netgear has something they call a Smart Wizard that helps you along with the installation process, making it very painless and easy. Once the software is installed, plug the adapter into any available USB port, and follow the on screen prompts to complete the installation. The Netgear software will put a small icon in the taskbar area of your desktop, the bar at the bottom of the screen, which you’ll need to click on to open the interface for the Wireless USB Adapter. Once open there are a couple more things to do next such as finding the wireless network to connect to, and choosing it, then basically your done. Now if the network you need to connect to uses any sort of security, you’ll need to input that information in the interface as well, that information can be obtained from the router or the owner of the network itself.

Netgear offers 24/7 technical support through email, or a toll-free number for any problems encountered.

Once connected, the performance was excellent, no matter where I went in my home I had a signal, it seemed nothing really interfered, according to the specifications, coverage is approximately 100 feet from any router, that’s more than enough for the average home.

I recently upgraded my children’s computer, they wanted internet access to play games on children’s websites and Windows 98 just wasn’t cutting it. So I went full out and got them everything new, so they should be happy for a while anyway… This product worked great for me to avoid running new wires for their internet access and they seem happy now.

I’ve got six computers, that’s a lot of cable to be using, so wireless is the best solution for someone like myself. Most people don’t have as many computers as I do, but I’m sure they don’t want to be running cables around either, so the Netgear Wireless Adapter can be used with a wireless router to avoid the cable mess that comes with a home network. If you have more than one computer in your home you can take the adapter with you and use it with those to enable a network internet connection.

I’ve found the Netgear WG111v2 Wireless USB Adapter online and at most electronics stores for around $40. It’s a great price for what it can help you do, and help you avoid doing…

Summary:

In terms of ease of use, portability, and performance this product is just an excellent choice for anyone that needs to add to or upgrade their wireless networking capabilities. The Netgear WG111v2 Wireless USB Adapter is something that I use often myself, and I’ve found it a great product overall.

DragonSteelMods gives the Netgear WG111v2 Wireless USB Adapter a 5 out of 5 score and our Recommended Award as well.

Pros:

-Small and portable

-Easy installation

-Inexpensive

Cons:

-None that I can find

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