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Review : Netgear Wireless Router MR814
I am currently sitting outside under a tree in the middle of the courtyard of my apartment complex here in the great Pacific Northwest. I am actually downloading a file and am connected to the internet at 11 megs a second on my notebook PC. And how am doing this? My Netgear MR814 Wireless Router.
I decided that I would give my standard Linksys four port router to my step dad and mom and get a new wireless capable router for myself. My Linksys router worked fine except for a loud hum when there was no devices connected to it powered on after it has been used for a while. They have two Windows computers in the same room but only one is hooked up to their DSL modem so a wired Ethernet router would be perfect for them.
As for myself being a nerd that I am it just was not working out that I had a Cable modem, notebook PC and a WiFi card but I could not get online wirelessly at home. A trip to my local electronic store fixed this but not until after some research. I checked Cnet and of the four port WiFi routers that they reviewed the NETGEAR MR814 got their best rating and the editors seal of approval. Also two of the hard core nerds I work with use Netgear routers. These endorsements included the ever hardcore Peter Clute. So I could not just brush them off. Peter called his "The Tuna Can". And yes with that in mind the thing does look like a tuna can.
It was $100 with a $30 mail-in rebate so it was a good deal in the end.
It does look like a tuna can and it has a slick vertical stand for those who do not want to place it horizontally. It also has grommets for mounting it on a wall like a phone.
In the back there is an Ethernet port for your DSL or cable modem and four wired Ethernet ports. I have mine filled with lines to my PS2, Xbox and a Ethernet land line to my desk for the times I do not want to be wireless on my notebook.
This is based on the standard 802.11b WiFi standard and it connects at 11 megs a second. Now that is faster than most DSL and cable modems and unless you are sharing a net connection with a lot of wireless users in a consumer envirament you will not need a WiFi G router for some time now.
I was thinking about setting this up as a public internet node because it covers about half the apartment complex that I live in. However they can be used for spamming and it is a direct violation of the Term of Service of my cable modem provider. Darn.
So I used their built in admin software in the router to change the router admin password and set up a logon for my notebook that used a 128-bit encryption, a WEP Authentication and MAC checking. Now for those who do not know what that means it is damn secure and I do not worry about it being used by the forces of evil. The software was pretty easy to configure if you have a little knowledge how they work. It also came with some firewall software and has a plethora of advanced options for net geeks to toy with.
My land line to my Notebook works fine right out of the box as does the PS2 Internet play.
Well I am amazed at how slick a home WiFi network can be. It is really exciting how powerful this relatively new technology is and how it will be used in the near future. This router is very high quality and a good value. Word!
I swear that I will go back to talking about my normal stuff but I am just on a WiFi kick as of late.
Jake at May 30, 2003 
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Comments
s'ok...at this point yer makin' me drool when you say "WiFi" ;) iwantiwantiwant...lol
Posted by: Lilly at May 30, 2003 7:59 PM
You know....I thought that the single coolest thing about this router was the really cool mounting options....i mean they really spent a lot of time making it accessible and making it reasonable to mount on a wall or horizontally. I like that a lot.....although mine is just kind of balancing on my antique compaq portable computer which was technically the first laptop and the first portable computer. It really does have a cool screen that is orange and black and I can play (quite well actually) the DOS game called ....drumroll.....GORILLAS!
Posted by: pete at May 30, 2003 11:49 PM
Snazzin'.
I've got to start typing in my new domain URL now. Here's a start. :)
Posted by: l33t k1w1 at May 31, 2003 1:15 AM
I bought this exact same router, and it's awesome. One thing though...I got it for about half as much as you did! Next time consult pricewatch first. :)
Posted by: jason at June 2, 2003 6:32 AM
Hi I am a Canadian who does not understand the concept of leaving a real email address.
Edited by Jake
Posted by: bob at June 12, 2003 5:41 PM
Will this router work with xbox live?
Posted by: Macron69 at August 21, 2005 8:43 AM
Yes it does work with Xbox Live. Quite well actually. I would recommend a Netgear or Linksys Router.
Posted by: Jake of 8bitjoystick.com at August 21, 2005 10:29 AM
