NETGEAR WN121T RangeMax Next Wireless-N USB 2.0 Adapter
by Netgear
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Our Price: $99.00 Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Buy Used: from $48.00 (click here) Category: CE See more product details |
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Customers in the UK,
Buy this product at amazon.co.uk
for British Pounds
Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of NETGEAR WN121T RangeMax Next Wireless-N USB 2.0 Adapter
Customer Review: Worst Support I have ever experienced.
Summary: 1 Stars
The WN121T had great speeds when it worked. It started dropping connections several times a day and required a computer reboot to regain a connection.
Things future BUYERs should know before you buy any Netgear product.
After 90 days... you have to PAY "Only $36.50 Per Incident" to talk to someone in customer support-- look here [...]
My WN121T started failing after the 90 days... seems to be a common problem--- Google it.
I tried it in 2 different computers (XP and Windows 7) with the same issue, so I know it is not computer related. I figured I would cut my losses and buy a non-Netgear adapter. I can not see spending an additional $36 for this product. When I tried to uninstall the Netgear software I got an error that "The installation source for this product is not available...." and it does not uninstall. I checked the Registry and the Netgear Smart Wizzard software was in multiple areas of the registry. I called support (20 minutes on Hold) to see if they could send me instructions to do a Manual uninstall of the program, they said they would, but it would cost me [...]. [...] to remove their software? Extortion!!! There is more to say... but this should be enough to convince buyers to Google any Netgear item for problems before buying AND search the company's Customer Support Policy before buying from them.
Lesson Learned.... Next time I buy hardware it will not have a Netgear label. Compare it to Belkin's products.... they stand behind their product 100%.
Customer Review: WN121T User Experience
Summary: 5 Stars
I purchased three of these (WN121T USB ) units to install throughout my house for general internet connection to the Netgear DGN 2000 DSL Wireless N router. I have found this combination to be very satisfactory for my rather basic needs at home environment.
Former wireless interruptions (drops) have disappeared giving way to superior online performance no matter where inside my home. There was no need for a signal booster or any secondary devices. I am able to use VOIP, and video conference from any workstation without lag or noise.
I am very pleased with the recommended combination of Wireless N router and WN121T adapters.
If you are considering the combination of the DGN 2000 and WN121T adapters, you should fully configure the router first along with your unique encryption password. A properly configured router will allow for very simple installation to your remote units.
Installation software for the WN121T should be downloaded from the Netgear web site, even if software drivers arrive on CD along with the unit. Setup (same program) in Windows XP, Windows Vista 32/64 bit versions was very simple. My wireless network printer also found the router instantly. I recommend a USB thumb drive to install the downloaded software application to each computer for initial setup.
Customer Review: What a Big Difference this Made!
Summary: 5 Stars
When my cable company installed my network, my wireless desktop had a signal strength of 47-50%, and rarely stayed connected - even though my laptop could pick up the signal just fine. I'm completely new to wireless networking at home. I spent hours with customer service trying to figure out why I couldn't get a signal on the desktop. Finally, a friend suggested a repeater. But what I began to understand was that my problem might be the cheap 512 usb adapter the cable company had plugged into my computer. My signal had to pass two ways across the house and through several walls. When I went to the store to buy a repeater, I took a chance on this Rangemax Next Wireless USB adapter instead. It was up in three minutes and I now have a 97% signal strength and my connection speed is absolutely as fast as my hard wired computer. No need for the repeater. What a huge burden was lifted for this neophyte!!Customer Review: Better than expected but one or two issues
Summary: 4 Stars
I read the reviews here first and was a little apprehensive about whether the Netgear Rangemax was going to work or not, but so far so good.
The installation was striaght foward and only complicated by Windows Vista (ugh!) and the device works, picking up our Netgear wireless hub at 98% (it's in the room below). The pop-up window to tell me it's connected to the internet when I start my machine (unless I immediately open IE) is a little bit of a pain, but other than that it works fine and speeds are what I expected.
The only issue I have had with it is that if I set my machine on Sleep mode the Rangemax seems to disconnect so that when I wake the machine it has issues. The quickest way to get reconnected seems to be restarting the machine (but since it saves power to shut down rather than sleep the PC, no big deal).
Customer Review: So far, a struggle... ...a return is imminent
Summary: 3 Stars
After two weeks, it is impossible to determine if this unit is any improvement over my laptop's built-in 54G adapter. I have the unit paired with a Netgear WRN854T router (a matching RangeMax Next unit), but to date have not been able to coax markedly faster file transfer speed. I am also suffering WORSE audio/video transfer with the WN121T - pauses and stuttering which did not occur with the internal card.
So far, Netgear's tech support has been unhelpful - despite upgrading the router and adapter to the latest firmware, drivers and utilities, performance remains uninspiring at best. Perusing Netgear's support forums (which I suppose I should have done prior to purchase) shows many people having the same problems and getting no solutions from Netgear.
Bottom line - don't rush to buy this product!