Showing posts with label mac. Show all posts
Showing posts with label mac. Show all posts

9/28/2012

Belkin Wireless G Router F5D7230-4 - Wireless router - 4-port switch - 802.11b/g - desktop Review

Belkin Wireless G Router F5D7230-4 - Wireless router - 4-port switch - 802.11b/g - desktop
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
I use a slightly different model (F5D7231-4) for three years now. I use it only with wire connections and with those connections it's rock solid. And I mean, rock solid: often you forget about its existence for many months. Its just working without problems. I use all router ports and more (via additional 4 ports switch) so this is heavy load environment.
I periodically download 4G DVDs with linux images and never has interruptions due to router failure. Never. I also use YouTube and never have any problems with streaming media.
Previously I used two Linksys routers: one wireless and one regular. Both were unstable with wire connections and disconnected once in a week or so. One wwas pretty hostile to YouTube. Also often both of them were unable to obtain DHCP address from [...] that I use as a provider. That was tremendous hassle.
I think most negative reviews for this router are about stability of the wireless connections. I agree that the defualt settins are stable with wireless connections. But wireless part of the router can be tuned using very helpful review of other Belkin model ([...]) written by ChurchOfJesusChrist.Net on Sep 27, 2007 (it has most helpful votes and is the first review for this router). The recommendation is to turn off any non standard modes (in wireless settings set turbo mode to off and set protected mode to off). That really improves stability.
In any case if you need wired connections it is probably one of the best low cost router you can get.
It has some sophisticated features. You can have "infinite" DHCP leases, essentially static IP assignment with flexibility of DHCP; Linksys cannot do that. You can also put one computer on "DMZ" before firewall and test the application. This way you can detect which ports the applications uses and then open them in firewall. My Linksys models were unable to do this. Ability to put one server in DNZ make it usable with Asterisk and other VOIP PBXes.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Belkin Wireless G Router F5D7230-4 - Wireless router - 4-port switch - 802.11b/g - desktop



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9/27/2012

HP LaserJet 3015 All-in-One Review

HP LaserJet 3015 All-in-One
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
I bought this because I already have an HP laser printer which is far and away the best printer I have ever owned. I am sure this all-in-one is a solid HP product. But I am writing this review to alert buyers that this is an "all-in-one-minus-one. I hope to prevent a mistake similar to mine.
The "no flatbed scanner" in a couple of reviews did not sink in as I was shopping late at night, so I ordered the machine.
When the machine arrived, the light dawned: YOU CAN ONLY COPY USING THE AUTOMATIC SHEET FEEDER. There is NO WAY to copy a page from a book or any non-normal paper source. Thanks to Amazon for their reasonable return policy, but I'm out the cost of 2-way shipping for my dumb mistake. Hopefully this will alert those looking for a more versatile copier of this regrettable limitation.

Click Here to see more reviews about: HP LaserJet 3015 All-in-One

Equally at home in Windows and Mac operating environments, the HP LaserJet 3015 All-in-One printer provides fast printing, copying, faxing, and color scanning. Plus, it offers a compact design that boasts versatile media handling, a simple and intuitive user interface, easy configuration and monitoring, and a generous 7,000-page monthly duty rating for busy offices.
Printing features include first page out in just 15 seconds, and up to 15 ppm printing at 1,200 dpi effective resolution from a 600 dpi engine. Copying is achieved at the same speed and resolution as printing, producing up to 99 copies at one time, with options for reduction and enlargement from 25 to 400%.
A built-in V.34 fax modem provides easy workgroup faxing, with 120 programmable speed dial locations, up to 110 pages of memory (2 MB), and a whole host of advanced controls. The 3015 also functions as a sheet-fed color scanner, achieving up to 9,600 dpi enhanced resolution (600 dpi optical) in full 24-bit color, drawing originals ranging from index card to legal size paper from the 3015's auto-document feeder.
This model offers both USB 2.0 and parallel connectivity, features a powerful 240 MHz processor, and has 32 MB RAM. It's Energy Star certified and requires only a single, easy-to-replace print cartridge that yields an estimated 2,000 pages. The unit is backed by a one-year warranty.
What's in the Box HP LaserJet 3015 All-in-One, print/toner cartridge, power cord, Getting Started Guide, support flyer, device software and electronic User's Guide on CD-ROM, media input tray, automatic document feeder (ADF), fax guide, phone cord, ADF output support, output bin support, control panel cover; printer cable not included

30-sheet automatic document feeder
7 one-touch keys for easy and convenient faxing
Control panel features: fax controls, alphanumeric buttons, menu and cancel controls, copy controls, scan controls
150-sheet media input tray
Small footprint handles four functions and easily fits where you want it
Parallel IEEE 1284-B level 2 device with an IEEE 1284-B receptacle with the host computer set to ECP; USB: compatible with 2.0 specifications
Fast V.34 fax modem (up to 33.6 Kbps) + 2 RJ-11 ports

32 MB RAM handles complex jobs
2 MB fax memory for storing your important fax documents
Black and white printing, black and white copying, black and white faxing, black and white and color scanning
Faxing from ADF, auto redial, billing codes, fax forwarding, fax auto-reduction, block fax barrier, fax delayed sending, pollingreceive, distinctive ring detection
120-speed dials and 110 group dials for handy faxing


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8/19/2012

Apple MA073LL/A AirPort Extreme Base Station Review

Apple MA073LL/A AirPort Extreme Base Station
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
I have been using many wireless routers (Linksys, D-Link, SMC, Netgear, Siemens...) over the years, since the early days of 802.11b, but this is my first experience with an Apple router.
There is no need to comment on the manufacturing quality, design and packaging: in typical Apple fashion, they're miles ahead of the competition. For instance, unlike all the other routers I ever used that came with a 110v only power supply, the Airport Extreme Base Station (AEBS for short) comes with a universal worldwide power supply equipped with a standard power cord.
Performancewise, it is exceptional. I have been putting it through its paces over the past few days and it's barely breaking a sweat in situations where my previous routers (Linksys WRT54G and Netgear WGN824) would progressively get slower, or just plain crash and require a reboot. Coverage is excellent, better than my WGN824's which was already quite impressive.
Apple has traditionally be doing things differently, and it shows here again: unlike most routers, which are managed by accessing a built-in web server, this router can only be configured using the "Airport Utility" configuration program. The bundled CD contains a Mac OS X and a Windows version of the utility (I can already hear groans from the Linux geeks). The utility is extremely simple to use, although I haven't tried to use the more advanced features such as setting up another router like the Airport Express as a range extender.
One problem you might run into is the lack of support for "legacy" devices: although the AEBS offers a compatibility mode with WEP devices called "WEP (Transitional)" which lets WEP and WPA coexist, this mode imposes restrictions on the keys that may not work for you (for instance you won't be able to reuse an existing 40-bit WEP key). The problem is that WEP-40 and WEP-128 are not compatible with the 802.11n standard, so you have to choose between speed or full backwards compatibility. Also, you should know that WEP-40 and WEP-128 are not very secure: there are utilities out there that can crack these keys easily.
Note that 802.11n gives a significant speed boost to the AppleTV and laptops equipped with compatible cards (such as Apple's Core 2 Duo laptops with the 802.11n enabler installed -- you can find the enabler on the AEBS CD). Unless you own one of these machines, there is no harm in switching to a non-802.11n radio mode. How? Just hold the command key (or control on Windows) while clicking on the "Radio Mode" popup in the Wireless tab of the AEBS configuration utility. Extra, non-n modes appear in the list, and once one is selected the WEP-40 and WEP-128 modes become available under Security. If you select WEP-40 or WEP-128 security, you can enter a hex key by prefixing it with a dollar sign.
The AEBS also comes with a versatile USB port, which can be used to attach hard disks and/or a printer (USB hubs are supported). Unlike other base stations or NAS boxes, the AEBS does not require that you reformat the disk; all you have to do is plug it in and voilà! Instant NAS, all your files show up on the network. Some very basic access control features are provided. I plugged in the external USB drive I use to backup my MacBook, and now I can do automated backups without having to worry about remembering to plug in the drive: it just works wirelessly. The AEBS also lets you share a USB printer.
In conclusion, this router is a fantastic performer. Although it's one of the most expensive 802.11n routers out there, its feature set, build quality, performance and top-notch customer support more than make up for the price difference. I recommend it highly.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Apple MA073LL/A AirPort Extreme Base Station

Apple has updated its highly rated wireless router with faster speed, twice the range, a lower price, and wrapped it all up in a whole new design. The new AirPort Extreme Base Station now has extra Ethernet ports for making wired computer connections and/or sharing network printers. It even has a USBslot, for connecting a USB printer, external hard drive, or other USB device. Also, it works with both Mac and Windows machines.
About 802.11n AirPort Extreme Base Station is compatible with the 802.11n draft specification, the new, all-but-finalized (as of February, 2007) standard for wireless networking, or Wi-Fi. Apple says their 802.11n is up to five times faster than the currently ubiquitous 802.11g. It uses three discreet antennas that not only double its range over previous AirPort base stations, but allows up to 50 simultaneous connections. Unless you're an office manager, school principal or a cafe owner, you probably don't care about that much capacity. Still, it's nice to know you can, say, telecommute over the Internet while someone else in your household is streaming video without slowing each other down. Thankfully, AirPort Extreme is backward compatible with 802.11a/b/g devices. Apple does caution, however, that "speed and range will be less if an 802.11a/b/g product joins the network."

And while setting up a Wi-Fi network in your home can often be a confusing, frustrating experience, consumers have learned that Apple is adept at painlessly guiding even novice users quickly through a set-up process. Apple promises that their wizard will have you up, running, and secure in the time it takes to brew a cup of coffee. It offers WPA/WPA2 and 128-bit WEP encryption, as well as a built-in firewall, which helps protect you from Internet intruders.


Sharing Features One of the most interesting features of the new AirPort Extreme Base Station is its ability to turn almost any external USB hard drive into a network attached storage (NAS) device. Just plug the disk directly into the AirPort Extreme Base Station's USB port, and it will be accessible through the built-in file sharing capabilities of both Windows and OS X. The AirPort Disk Utility software helps you set up permissions and passwords, keeping the disk (or parts of it) inaccessible from others on your network. You can similarly turn a standard USB printer into a network printer. The AirPort Extreme Base Station only has one USB port, but you will be able to plug both of those devices and more in by using a separately sold USB hub. Like most wireless routers, AirPort Extreme Base Station lets you create a list of devices allowed to access your network. A new parental control feature in this router, though, lets you lock out specific devices, like a kid's computer, from connecting during certain hours of the day, such as after bed-time.

What's in the Box Apple MA073LL/A AirPort Extreme Base Station, AirPort Utility for Mac and Windows, AirPort Disk Utility for Mac and Windows, 802.11n Enabler for Mac, Bonjour for Windows, power cord, printed and electronic documentation.


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8/18/2012

Apple Time Capsule MB765LL/A 1TB Review

Apple Time Capsule MB765LL/A  1TB
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
I've owned the Apple Time Capsule 1TB model for several months now.
Pros:
1. Very large 1TB hard drive
2. Very fast WiFi connections
3. Easily sets up with your network (what Mac product doesn't?)
4. Much faster on my DSL network than the DSL wireless router I had previously connected
Cons:
1. Extremely SLOW data transfer. I'm not exaggerating when I say it took 15hrs to backup a wired connection with about 250gb of data to transfer...... wireless backup of that amount of data wasn't even reasonable, it was going to be several days.
2. I had wanted to use it for my iTunes library. To share my library on several devices when my Macbook was not available. Turns out the transfer speed is too slow for this purpose and I had to scratch that idea.
3. At times, it's been too slow to even use for Time Machine. The problem lies with the hard drive it seems since the wireless connection is extremely fast. Maybe there is some issue with the way the Time Capsule communicates with it's hard drive? I don't know, I only know it's painfully slow.
lf this can only be used as a wireless network hub and painfully slow backups, then there are better options out there. If Apple can somehow get this thing to work as advertised, then it might be worth a look. The way it is now... NOT RECOMMENDED!

Click Here to see more reviews about: Apple Time Capsule MB765LL/A 1TB

Time Capsule - 1TB

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8/12/2012

Belkin F5D5050 USB to 10/100 Ethernet Adaptor - Networking Review

Belkin F5D5050 USB to 10/100 Ethernet Adaptor - Networking
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
I required a second network card to setup a multihomed server using Windows 2003. Since I was out of PCI slots on my server this adapter was a definitive blessing; it is also an excellent alternative for laptop users and for people who don't feel comfortable opening their computer cases. The adapter's cable length is about a foot 1/2 long, which I think is adequate for most people; it also has a power LED which also serves as a network status indicator.
I also tested the adapter with Windows XP and did not require the CD to set it up (Windows 2003 did require the CD).
Note:
If you install this adapter with your system powered on, you will get an error message indicating a problem starting the device, this is normal and will go out after restarting.
So far, performance has been consistent and it has been 100% stable.
I hope that my review helps in evaluating this device.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Belkin F5D5050 USB to 10/100 Ethernet Adaptor - Networking

The easiest way to get your computer ready to share Internet access is through an available USB port. The Adapter simply plugs in to let your PC connect to your cable or DSL modem, as well as share files and peripherals with computers that are connected to the network. With instant, Plug-and-Play USB and the simple setup with our included software, you can add sharing capability in minutes without opening your computer case to install a card.

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8/07/2012

Apple MB763LL/A AirPort Extreme Dual-band Base Station Review

Apple MB763LL/A AirPort Extreme Dual-band Base Station
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
Hi All,
True to my gadget envy, I acquired one of these dual band extreme base stations to see if they held up to the hype. Sure enough, Apple has improved an old mediocre product with a new more powerful hardware engine and improved software abilities.
Features:
802.11 A/B/G/N DUAL Band radios at 2.4ghz and 5ghz simultaneously.
Gigabit Ethernet ports 1x Wan and 3x Lan.
Guest wireless network.
Disk sharing via USB connected drive.
Access to shared disk via MobileMe (apple mobile me subscribers on os x).
The box comes with the router, the power cord, software cd, and documentation....limited documentation.
Time to test.
Setup: Setup of an apple base station is unlike any other in that you cannot access the setup portal via your web browser. You must install the Apple Airport utility (both mac and windows) in order to set the router up. The software is built very well and provides the typical ease of use known to MAC users. You simply walk through a setup wizard and define simple options for your internet connection, your wireless network, etc, etc. NOTE: When setting up your wireless networks you are able to hit the options button so that you can define a 5ghz network as well (example, main wireless network called wifi, the 5ghz is called wifi (5ghz)). Very easy to setup and get going. You are also able to easily define a SECURED (wpa/wpa2) guest wireless network....which simply means that if you have a visitor they can use wi-fi but not get to any of the computers on your home network. Very Secure....and a great feature to boot.
I was using the old Apple Base Station and kept switching between it and a d-link wireless n router.... I got one of these primarily due to dual band and guest access.
Yes, there are other routers out there that can do this for a bit of a lower cost...but the elegance of the Apple Airport Utility make this a router that can be setup without too much hassle. The software will also identify problems in the setup and have you correct them before it uploads them to the router. These abilities alone make this a router for the non-geeks to be able to setup a robust networking environment at home.
Wireless: As I mentioned before, I am comparing this to an older model apple base station that was single band and worked in the N range. Also compared this against a D-Link DIR-655 which is a 2.4ghz Wireless N router. The section on speed below will detail my wireless experience.
Speed: I have Comcast cable modem service which gives me about 15-25mbps down and 2mbps up....I live in an area where there are probably 5-10 subscribers...so my speed is generally GREAT and never experiences a slow down. The first thing I do when I play with a new router is do a speed test....the new base station is comparable to the others and gets the same exact download/upload speeds over ethernet. There is one exception....using the wireless on this unit yielded BETTER results then the older model and the d-link. Normally when doing a speed test over wireless I get about 12-15mbps and 2mbps up....with this router I was able to successfully hit the 20mbps mark and 2mbps UP. WIN WIN!!!! So I figured that this may be an anomaly and thus proceeded to test a download from Microsoft - a 3.4gb file - which normally downloads anywhere between 900kpbs and 1.2mbps. Surprise.....with the new base station I stayed at 1.3mbps and it did not hiccup even once. The same was true when downloading via a wireless connection, albeit the speed was 1.0mbps....faster then I have ever gotten before. WIN WIN again!
Disk Sharing - Not much to be said here...I attached a Western Digital USB hard drive 320gb and shared it. You simply go into the Airport Utility software and setup sharing of the hard drive and define which password should be used. You can either use the password for the router or setup a separate password to use with Disk Sharing. Speed is dependent upon wired or wireless. I tested while transferring 3 files...one was 2mb one was 100mb and one was a 2.5gb file. The two mb file of course went over before I could blink...the 100mb transferred over in about 3-4 minutes...the 2.5gb took about 15 minutes. The first transfer test was with ETHERNET connectivity. I did the same tests over wireless and found that the times doubled...naturally since wireless is a bit slower I expected that and had no issue with the times.
Mobile-Me - I have not tested the mobile me features just yet but will be testing them in the days ahead and post my results here.
So far I feel this router has hit perfection and will now find a permanent spot in my home...at least until something better hits.
Please do leave me comments with suggestions on the review and or any questions you may have.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Apple MB763LL/A AirPort Extreme Dual-band Base Station

The sleek, easy-to-use AirPort Extreme Base Station with simultaneous dual-band support is the perfect wireless access point for home, school, or small business. It offers fast, 802.11n Wi-Fi access for Mac computers, PCs, and Wi-Fi devices such as iPhone, iPod touch, and Apple TV.

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7/12/2012

Apple Time Capsule 2TB (4TH GENERATION) Review

Apple Time Capsule 2TB (4TH GENERATION)
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
I've had two hard drive failures recently. I didn't want that to happen again, and Apple's release of revised Time Capsules this week was a signal to do something about it.
It's a fairly small unit, with simple hookups - the power cord, one LAN in, three LAN outs, and one USB port. There's only one light, which only shows two colors - amber (for something requiring attention) or green (for everything running smoothly). My setup was to be using the Time Capsule for Wi-Fi, while piggybacking off a router required by my ISP. Once I hooked up everything, I loaded AirPort Utility on my Mac, which walked me through setup of the Wi-Fi network and TIme Capsule. After setting it up, the unit rebooted and the light started blinking amber, indicating a problem. Here's where the Time Capsule was proven to be worth the money.
Over the years, I've spent a lot of time dealing with network hardware and traversing through the router's confusing interface. The blinking amber light gave me flashbacks to those days. But, this was different. I loaded up AirPort Utility, and it walked me through all indicated problems along with recommended solutions. After five minutes it was running correctly, indicated by a steady green light. I hooked up my PS3 and Xbox 360 to the Time Capsule Ethernet ports and they connected to their services flawlessly.
The summary here: Thirty minutes after taking the Time Capsule out of the box, I had a perfectly running Wi-Fi network, 2 devices running through the ethernet ports, and all my data being backed up to the hard drive. I've used a lot of consumer-level network hardware over the years, but nothing was as straightforward and pleasant to use as Time Capsule. I don't know why every company doesn't make it this easy, but it is how it should be. Highly recommended.
Edit: I just got a printer and hooked it up to the Time Capsule a few days ago. As with everything else, setup was absolutely no-fuss. Through USB, everything set up automatically and all I had to do was add it to the printer list in preferences.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Apple Time Capsule 2TB (4TH GENERATION)


With the Apple Time Capsule, you'll be able to give your computer automatic, constant protection over a blazing-fast, secure wireless connection. Time Capsule includes a wireless hard drive designed to work with Time Machine in Mac OS X Leopard or later. Just set Time Capsule as the designated backup drive for Time Machine, and that's it.
One-click continuous backup for your Mac using Time Machine.

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6/28/2012

Hawking Wireless G USB Network Adapter with external SMA jack, Apple Compatible - HWUG1A Review

Hawking Wireless G USB Network Adapter with external SMA jack, Apple Compatible - HWUG1A
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
I've been waiting a couple years now for a wireless manufacture to "get it" and realize there is a market for a USB wi-fi dongle with a detachable antenna. For all the PC Card versions out there with detachable antenna, it's taken forever for someone to come out with a USB equivalent. Finally, Hawking has, with the HWUG1.
The version I purchased is the Macintosh version (HWUG1A). This comes with a driver from a chip maker called Ralink. Ralink has been doing a public beta with this driver for a few years now, and I was already familiar with it. It's in pretty solid shape now. I guess you could say it's ready for prime time. And now that Ralink are actually getting money for it directly from OEMs like Hawking, MacSense and a couple of others, the driver is likely to be maintained and kept in good condition through OS X upgrades. This is an important consideration because, unlike some other nework interfaces, a wi-fi dongle requires a driver apart from anything that comes with the standard Mac OS X install.
The screw on antenna uses the popular and common SMA connector. Hawking sells several omni-directional and directional antennas that are compatible. I have also attached it to a Cantenna which works very well. But lately my favorite solution is to add a Tritium Flatenna reflector. I like the Flatenna because it packs so flat and slips right into my laptop case with my papers. Ironically, the Flatenna doesn't require a detachable antenna. But I still regard this feature as important.
Overall I'm very pleased with my purchase. I wish it had cost a bit less. I have been able to purchase D-Link wi-fi USB dongles, that I was previously using with the Ralink beta driver, for as little as $20. I paid over $50 for the Hawking. Also, the D-Link comes with a nice, weighted USB stand and extension cable. The Hawking does not. But with the included, foldable antenna, there is less need of a remote stand base.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Hawking Wireless G USB Network Adapter with external SMA jack, Apple Compatible - HWUG1A



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6/12/2012

Apple Time Capsule MB764LL/A 500GB Review

Apple Time Capsule MB764LL/A  500GB
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
Hi All,
Please take a look at my review of the Dual Band Airport Extreme: Apple MB763LL/A AirPort Extreme Dual-band Base Station I have pasted it below this review for your convenience.
Since I have already reviewed the airport extreme, I will not go into details on the routing/wireless/speed options of this time capsule...they are the exact same product and I assure you, you can get great details from my review below.
Time Capsule remains as an exciting niche product that houses a hard drive in its body. The capsule can be purchased with a 500gb and or a 1TB hard drive. Note: the hard drive is not user servicable.
The primary reason for this device to exist was so that MAC users could easily backup their OS X machines using time machine directly to the router. For that it is the ultimate product.
Why then do I give it a 4 out of 5?
Simply because my experience with the hard drive has been that it regularly disconnects and drops connected users....which to me is a flaw when Time Machine is trying to backup my computer. Yes, I have restarted from scratch, reloaded the firmware, etc...but to no avail. I have also spoken to applecare and will be trying a replacement capsule in the days ahead to see if the problem can be alleviated.
I still give this a 4/5 due to my belief in the routing engine and software that sets up and maintains these devices. My review on the airport extreme base station will solidify my 4/5 reviews.
This product is worthy of a 5/5 review once the hard drive issues are ironed out. I hope I am alone in this problematic situation but time will tell. Ironically, my older time capsule has been running for about a year without any issues....so I am hopeful I have a one off problem.
As always, please leave me comments with suggestions, questions, etc.
Below is my review of the dual band Airport Extreme Base Station:
Hi All,
True to my gadget envy, I acquired one of these dual band extreme base stations to see if they held up to the hype. Sure enough, Apple has improved an old mediocre product with a new more powerful hardware engine and improved software abilities.
Features:
802.11 A/B/G/N DUAL Band radios at 2.4ghz and 5ghz simultaneously.
Gigabit Ethernet ports 1x Wan and 4x Lan.
Guest wireless network.
Disk sharing via USB connected drive.
Access to shared disk via MobileMe (apple mobile me subscribers on os x).
The box comes with the router, the power cord, software cd, and documentation....limited documentation.
Time to test.
Setup: Setup of an apple base station is unlike any other in that you cannot access the setup portal via your web browser. You must install the Apple Airport utility (both mac and windows) in order to set the router up. The software is built very well and provides the typical ease of use known to MAC users. You simply walk through a setup wizard and define simple options for your internet connection, your wireless network, etc, etc. NOTE: When setting up your wireless networks you are able to hit the options button so that you can define a 5ghz network as well (example, main wireless network called wifi, the 5ghz is called wifi (5ghz)). Very easy to setup and get going. You are also able to easily define a SECURED (wpa/wpa2) guest wireless network....which simply means that if you have a visitor they can use wi-fi but not get to any of the computers on your home network. Very Secure....and a great feature to boot.
I was using the old Apple Base Station and kept switching between it and a d-link wireless n router.... I got one of these primarily due to dual band and guest access.
Yes, there are other routers out there that can do this for a bit of a lower cost...but the elegance of the Apple Airport Utility make this a router that can be setup without too much hassle. The software will also identify problems in the setup and have you correct them before it uploads them to the router. These abilities alone make this a router for the non-geeks to be able to setup a robust networking environment at home.
Wireless: As I mentioned before, I am comparing this to an older model apple base station that was single band and worked in the N range. Also compared this against a D-Link DIR-655 which is a 2.4ghz Wireless N router. The section on speed below will detail my wireless experience.
Speed: I have Comcast cable modem service which gives me about 15-25mbps down and 2mbps up....I live in an area where there are probably 5-10 subscribers...so my speed is generally GREAT and never experiences a slow down. The first thing I do when I play with a new router is do a speed test....the new base station is comparable to the others and gets the same exact download/upload speeds over ethernet. There is one exception....using the wireless on this unit yielded BETTER results then the older model and the d-link. Normally when doing a speed test over wireless I get about 12-15mbps and 2mbps up....with this router I was able to successfully hit the 20mbps mark and 2mbps UP. WIN WIN!!!! So I figured that this may be an anomaly and thus proceeded to test a download from Microsoft - a 3.4gb file - which normally downloads anywhere between 900kpbs and 1.2mbps. Surprise.....with the new base station I stayed at 1.3mbps and it did not hiccup even once. The same was true when downloading via a wireless connection, albeit the speed was 1.0mbps....faster then I have ever gotten before. WIN WIN again!
Disk Sharing - Not much to be said here...I attached a Western Digital USB hard drive 320gb and shared it. You simply go into the Airport Utility software and setup sharing of the hard drive and define which password should be used. You can either use the password for the router or setup a separate password to use with Disk Sharing. Speed is dependent upon wired or wireless. I tested while transferring 3 files...one was 2mb one was 100mb and one was a 2.5gb file. The two mb file of course went over before I could blink...the 100mb transferred over in about 3-4 minutes...the 2.5gb took about 15 minutes. The first transfer test was with ETHERNET connectivity. I did the same tests over wireless and found that the times doubled...naturally since wireless is a bit slower I expected that and had no issue with the times.
Mobile-Me - I have not tested the mobile me features just yet but will be testing them in the days ahead and post my results here.
So far I feel this router has hit perfection and will now find a permanent spot in my home...at least until something better hits.
Please do leave me comments with suggestions on the review and or any questions you may have.


Click Here to see more reviews about: Apple Time Capsule MB764LL/A 500GB

Wireless hard drive that works seamlessly with Time Machine in Mac OS X Leopard. It's also a full-featured 802.11n Wi-Fi base station Time Capsule works with Mac computers, PCs, iPhone, iPod touch, Apple TV, and virtually all 802.11a/b/g/n Wi-Fi wireless devices all at the same time Protect yourself with the built-in firewall and industry-standard encryption technologies including WPA/WPA2 and 128-bit WEP System Requirements - For Time Machine backup -Mac with Mac OS X Leopard / For setup and administration -Mac computer with Mac OS X v.10.4 or later, CD drive, and Ethernet or wireless networking capability; PC with Windows XP (SP2) or Windows Vista, CD drive, and Ethernet or wireless networking capability / For wireless client access -Mac with AirPort or AirPort Extreme wireless capability; PC with 802.11a/b/g/n / For shared hard drive -Mac with Mac OS X v10.4.8 or later; PC with Windows XP (SP2) or Windows Vista; Bonjour

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5/20/2012

APPLE M9479LL/A AirPort Extreme Base Station Power Adapter Review

APPLE M9479LL/A AirPort Extreme Base Station Power Adapter
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I ordered this as a replacement for my Airport Extreme power cable. It is not an Apple product and is the wrong size for the Aiport Extreme. Therefore, it was of no use to me. It is very frustrating to have the product listed as being for an Airport Extreme when it is no such thing. Will not buy again from this seller.

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4/17/2012

D-Link DI-701 Ishare Cable/DSL Internet Sharing Router Review

D-Link DI-701 Ishare Cable/DSL Internet Sharing Router
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I bought the first DI 701 for testing on my office LAN, and had it up and running in 10 minutes. I was so impressed with it, that I bought one for home, then three more for remote sites.
It works very well with all applications, is very fast, and is extremely secure vs. a basic software firewall. I have done extensive testing, and I was unable to gain access to a LAN secured with this product, using multiple security auditing tools (Network security is my speciality).
Troy Harnish, MCSE, CNA, A+

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The D-Link Ishare cable/DSL Internet-sharing router protects your computers from hackers or unauthorized users. Used with DSL or cable modems, the D-Link 701 acts as both a firewall and decoy computer. Any hacking is directed to the gateway, not to your real network or computer. Up to 32 users can share files and connect to the Internet with a single Internet account. Use of the Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol provides up to 128 user addresses.
The D-Link Ishare has one local 10/100 Mbps Ethernet port and a single 10 Mbps Ethernet global port. The local port can be connected to a single computer for added protection from hackers. It can also be linked to a hub or switch for LAN sharing and Internet access.
After you connect the cables and transfer your Internet settings into the D-Link Ishare's Windows interface, installation is complete. The D-Link Ishare is compatible with Macintosh, Windows, Linux, and other platforms. It is backed by a lifetime warranty.

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3/11/2012

D-Link Wireless G USB 2.0 Adapter 802.11g, 54Mbps Review

D-Link Wireless G USB 2.0 Adapter 802.11g, 54Mbps
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I like this little gem. I had a PCI wireless card for my desktop that was several years old and no longer supported by the manufacturer. I needed to upgrade, but I wanted a USB wireless adapter this time around. I wanted to get it out from the bottom of my desk so I could a better signal. I had certain requirements for my new purchase. It couldn't cost any more than $45. It had to be USB. And it had to have some sort of USB extention cable or cradle. It had to be reviewed by Windows Vista users. It also had to have excellent reception. I don't have a big house, but there were a lot of walls and electronics near and in between the Access Point and my computer.
After searching I found the DLink Wireless G adapater fit the bill. I picked it up for $30 (at least $10 less than local stores). All of the reviews talked about great reception, even indepent review sites. And it had the USB craddle I was looking for. I bought it and got free shipping along with it! What a Deal!
I've had this little gem installed for about one month now, I coudn't be happier. It gets great reception. This adapter runs absolutely great with Vista. I am also using the included connection software and it plays very well with Vista.
The only downside is the optional craddle. It requires either a direct computer USB port, or a powered USB hub with an external power supply. It draws more mA than a non-powered hub can handle (at least it did on mine). I had to use the power supply on my USB hub to get the craddle to work. This is the only reason I give it 4 stars instead of 5.
I highly recommend this product. You will not be disappointed.

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2/29/2012

Apple M8434G/A Audio/Video Foribook NTSC Cable Review

Apple M8434G/A Audio/Video Foribook NTSC Cable
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I was pleased with this company's service in reference to this item's immediate availability and fast shipping.
I dealt with them long ago with camera products, and see their business still treats a customer well after all these years.

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12/27/2011

Apple M8799LL/A AirPort Extreme Base Station with Modem and Antenna Port Review

Apple M8799LL/A AirPort Extreme Base Station with Modem and Antenna Port
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Got this primarily so we could work anywhere in the house on our PC laptops. Granted, a Linksys wireless router would have been cheaper, but the Airport Extreme also serves as a wireless print server and that (plus the fact that our primary computer is a Mac) was what sealed the deal for us. Our cabling setup is:
Cable modem -> Linksys Wired 4-Port Router -> Airport Extreme -> Lexmark Optra E312L
Our laptops use Linksys Wireless-G cards and get good reception throughout the house. Our G4 and PS2 are hooked directly into the wired Linksys Router for their connectivity. The trick to using it with an existing router is to turn off the NAT addressing feature of the Airport Extreme so that it acts only as an Ethernet "bridge" to the wireless computers; the Linksys router assigns all the IP addresses for everything on the system including the PC laptops. The PCs can print wirelessly to the laser printer via the Airport and so can the Mac. Bonus!
Setup was very quick - about 15 minutes to get everything plugged in. The hard part was getting the security set up correctly (and yes, you'd better secure your wireless network) as the format for passwords was different on the Mac vs. PC platforms. Had to do some Web searches to find out how to make them speak the same language (hex). Has worked flawlessly since then. If I had to do it over, would buy it again in a heartbeat.

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The AirPort Extreme Base Station with Modem and Antenna Port is compatible with the industry-standard 802.11b wireless networking protocol, which means all AirPort products, as well as Wi-Fi certified 802.11b wireless products. For higher performance you will need to have both the Airport Extreme Card and the AirPort Extreme Base Station. The range of AirPort Extreme is up to 50 feet at 54 Mbps and up to 150 feet at 11 Mbps. The Base Station can be used in conjunction with an Ethernet connection (such as with a cable modem, DSL modem, or Ethernet network) through the integrated Ethernet port, or with a telephone line through a modem.
The AirPort Extreme Base Station with Modem and Antenna Port also supports USB or Ethernet wireless printer sharing. Just plug in a compatible USB or Ethernet printer and with Mac OS X on your computer you can quickly and easily print. You can use the new USB port to attach a USB printer or use the 10/100BASE-T Ethernet LAN port to plug in an Ethernet printer directly into the base station.
With the new AirPort Extreme Base Station with Modem and Antenna Port, up to 50 users can work and play on the Internet simultaneously up to 150 feet away from an Ethernet connection or a phone line. The Base Station comes equipped with a built-in firewall to protect sensitive data on your computer and the ability to secure transmissions with support for 128-bit encryption.
The AirPort Extreme Base Station with Modem and Antenna Port lets you manage the range of your wireless network. An external antenna port is provided for you to attach an external antenna. There are two types of antennas available: an omni-directional and a directional, which extend the range of the AirPort Extreme base station. There is also a software feature that allows you on reduce the size of your wireless network, down to just a single room for extra privacy.

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12/14/2011

Fax 56K V.92 USB Modem Ext To RJ11 Adapter Review

Fax 56K V.92 USB Modem Ext To RJ11 Adapter
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The modem worked perfectly. The operating system automatically recognized the modem once I put it in the USB drive. Haven't had issues with the modem...wish I could say that about my dial up provider.

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11/25/2011

NETGEAR WG111 Wireless USB 2.0 Adapter (54 Mbps) Review

NETGEAR WG111 Wireless USB 2.0 Adapter (54 Mbps)
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I bought the Netgear USB wireless G adapter to enable me to network my Tivo Series 2 and take advantage of its home media capabilities. I could not be happier with the Netgear's performance. Once my Tivo had downloaded new firmware (its software version 7 is required), I simply plugged the Netgear into the USB slot. Boo-bam, worked like a charm. No configuring, no dropped signals. Good throughput. I am using a Belkin Pre-N wireless router. I was a little leery of USB wireless adapters, but the Netgear worked perfectly with no configuration.

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As home wireless networking continues to evolve, the need for increasingly faster speeds and greater range becomes more attractive. New applications like video-streaming, while not possible with 802.11b, are attainable at higher speeds, prompting users to seek the most powerful available solution for their networking needs.NETGEAR's WG111 54 Mbps Wireless USB 2.0 Adapter enables this. At 54 Mbps, it is up to 5x faster than 802.11b, and has greater range than 802.11b wireless products. The USB 2.0 interface allows the full throughput of 802.11g to be available, simply by plugging this into the external USB slot of your desktop or notebook PC. New antenna technology has increased range beyond what was ever possible with previous generation Wi-Fi adapters. Keep your network private with WEP encryption, upgradeable to even more secure WPA (Wi-Fi Protected Access). Setup is now made quick and easy with our Smart Wizard install assistant. The WG111 has a compact pocket-sized casing and with the included 5 ft. USB cable, it can easily be placed anywhere near your computer for optimal signal strength for best performance.

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11/09/2011

Apple MA034Z/A External V.2 USB Modem Review

Apple MA034Z/A External V.2 USB Modem
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The Apple USB Modem is a controllerless or software modem based on the Motorola SM56 design. The advantages of a software modem are low cost, low power consumption, and compact design. The disadvantage is that modem processing is offloaded to a specialized driver that runs on the host computer. In this case, Apple has customized Motorola's driver to produce a generally solid product.
At the time of this writing, Apple has discontinued the Apple USB Modem (MA034Z/A) but they are still widely available for around US$50.
Testing Notes: Software modems require a driver that can pump real-time audio like data to the modem's transceiver regardless of any other system software that may be running. In my own testing, I've found it's important to connect the modem to a reliable USB Hub as close to the host computer as possible. Apple's USB Modem driver generally worked well but could fail under certain conditions like launching Disk Utility with external FireWire drives attached. I tend to prefer controller based modems for their greater stability, but the Apple USB Modem is certainly an elegant and compact unit.
The US Robotics USB Modem (USR5637) is a traditional controller based modem from a manufacturer with a solid product history. The modem includes its own control processor which understands AT commands directly, so only a basic USB serial driver is needed. In my testing, this modem worked well.
The USR5637 is widely available for around US$50.
Testing Notes: The manual included with the modem is unclear about the installation procedure. You'll need to install the software from the included CD first, and then plug-in the modem for it to be recognized by Mac OS X. In the Network Preferences panel, select USB Modem, click Advanced, and set the Vendor to "Other". This modem is about the size of a cell phone (significantly larger than the Apple USB Modem).
I had no trouble running both the Apple USB Modem and USR Modem at the same time. I'm the developer of Phone Amego which uses USB modems for landline support. Having run both modems continuously over an extended period, I prefer the USR modem for its stability. It's more modem for about the same price.

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