The D-Link
Air DWL-650H is a high-performance, 2.4 GHz, IEEE 802.11b-compliant PC card for laptop computer users who want to connect to a wireless network within a home or corporate environment.
The DWL-650H transmits data at speeds up to 11 Mbps, but dynamically scales to 5.5 Mbps, 2 Mbps, or 1 Mbps to ensure wireless network connectivity. The D-LinkAir DWL-650H features Multi-Channel Frequency Optimization technology that delivers consistently stronger wireless signal strength than standard wireless PC cards, and is especially useful for indoor environments with significant radio frequency interference. As the wireless signal strength increases, data transmission rates increase. The variation utility within its advanced network management software enables users to adjust power level settings to maximize laptop battery life. The DWL-650H provides users with the ability to transmit and receive mission-critical data even in busy environments where severe interference may be present. Unlike standard wireless PC cards, connection is more consistent and dropouts and signal hangs are significantly diminished with the DWL-650H.
With its strong transmit power signal, rated as high as 20 dBm, users will be able to roam seamlessly throughout a 802.11b wireless network. The DWL-650H's advanced network management software allows users to quickly connect to a wireless network and monitor the status of their signal strength.
1 Solid performer
I have had this product for about 3 months and I have few complaints. Installation was simple enough and the range is good. I use it with a Linksys wireless router and it works perfectly from 2 floors above where the router is located. The only gripe I have is that the speed degrades somewhat with 128bit WEP encryption turned on. I do not know if this is the fault of the router or the D-Link card, but the throughput drops to about 1Mbit/s. Considering I use it to surf online and my cable modem can only do 1.5Mbit/s, it is not such a big issue. WIthout WEP turned on I get the full cable bandwidth.
2 Incredible difference!
I have a relatively small place which, due to really bad design, happens to have only one cable outlet. Plus, between the outlet and where I do most of my work is about 4 or 5 intervening walls, plus a refridgerator and hot water heater. The net result is a LOT of barriors for wireless signals to penetrate. I purchased a D-Link wireless access point and bought the standard D-Link PC Card wireless NIC for access. I consistently got Low or Very Low signal when in my work space, even tho the physical distance between me and the WAP was only about 50 direct feet. I was almost ready to give up on WAP altogether when I ran across this product. I figured what the heck and ordered it. Well I just got it and the difference is incredible. Now, my signal reads Excellent in the exact same location where this product's little sibling could barely download web pages. I'm back to being hooked on wireless and on this D-Link product in particular. If you have any issues with access or signal strength, try this card. If the card doesn't fix it, you're probably dealing with bigger issues. But I'll bet any WAP problems are due to signal strength. I'm running WinXP Pro and this card plugged in, was installed, and asked for my WEP code to access the network. I was browsing literally within 3 minutes of unpacking this card. In the case of wireless, Microsoft finally did something right. Highly recommended. Kudos to D-Link for recognizing the problem of signal strength and releasing a product to deal with it. No other manufacturer has anything close. I have to ding them however, because they easily could have put this into their base product and just sold one version.
3 Weak range
I would not recommend buying this product, because when i bought it, i thought that it would have the necessary range to operate in our 3-bedroom home. But in fact, the wireless USB adapter that came with the original package had more range. This PCI card has a very eratic range and was so weak that the laptop it was hooked up to, was not able to recieve a signal, less than 100 feet away from the base. Although D-link is a fairly good brand, some of its products are unreliable and generally hard to set up.
