The documentation that came packaged in the Microsoft box was outstanding. Detailed and easy-to-follow steps were laid out in a straight-forward manner. Anyone who is only minimally familiar with computers and computer hardware/software can navigate through the instructions with realative confidence.

The device came with its own setup wizard which, of course, was perfectly compatible with Windows XP! The wizard, in conjunction with the instruction manual, explained exactly what to do and when to do it. It was never ambiguous. The wizard detected and used our original ISP settings/information by itself. It instructed us when to disconnect our previous router and connect our new router. Microsoft even included a blank floppy to be used for saving our connection settings and then transferrring these same settings to our other computer to be networked. The instructions stepped us through setting up the home network on all home computers.

As said before, installation was quick and easy. The instructions were clear and detailed. Our two computers were wirelessly networked without a hitch. It also seems that the wireless adapter card maintains MUCH better connection with the base (I haven't noticed any interruptions in the connection).

Microsoft is big because they've earned it! I'm more than happy to give them my money when they give me products like this in exchange!

Pros:
- The Price, so cheap with all the good features, couldn't pass it up
- Nice install wizard, handled my cable modem really well
- Great security features: NAT, WEP, MAC filter, Port Filter, etc.
- Configuration tool has a nice user interface
- I like that it automatically patches it self.

Cons:
- The documentation that is included is not very good. Amazing how many pages they spend on stupid stuff (this is what you power cord looks like... Instead of This is how you can increase security in your wireless network set by step.)

Tips:
- Be careful turning on the MAC filtering, make sure you put your desktop MAC address in first, or you might get locked out :) found out the hard way.
- Make sure you block the ICMP Ping so hackers/crackers can't find you easily on the network
- Make sure that you select "share files and printers" in the wizards, because it is super difficult to find these settings to change your mind later. It probably isn't a good idea to "share my whole computer" though. Should someone actually break into your network...
- It is a pain in the butt to copy down that long WEP key, on all of your wireless laptops, but once you have done it, you can rest assured that you are pretty darn secure.

All in all, I have no regrets with losing the SMC wireless router.

Perhaps an option NOT to use the "Wizard"? Microsoft, are you listening? Putting stickers everywhere to "MAKE SURE YOU INSTALL THE SOFTWARE FIRST" is a real turn off!

Out of the box, the stuff did not work. I attempted this on PC with Windows XP, a PC with Windows ME. Same bad story. The India tech-support is useless. It turns out the drivers simply do not work with PPPoE.

But, what a mess the set-up created! The Microsoft set-up disk ruined a perfectly good laptop that is used for PowerPoint presentations for two weeks. The set-up installed hidden spy-ware that kept attempting to access the non-functioning wireless network at home and blocked access to the corporate networks used for presentations. It took hours of rooting through the registry and using removal software (thanks EarthLink) before it worked again.

My story is not unique check the wireless forums on the internet. I have never posted a review here before, but I felt it was important to do a user's review of this product.

I havn't tried any more esotoric options in the networking workd like vpn etc. I did download files while cooking and watching the download. I havn't tried any distances more than the 1000 ft apt area. Prospects of checking email in the restroom is awesome - onestep closer to microsoft's plans to bring computers to public toilets.

Bottomline is I am keeping my wifi. 4 stars instead of 5 because of fear of many more patches coming down the way though some will be nice upgrade and some for bug fixes.

Disclaimer:
I am not related to the company in anyway except as a customer. Every user may not have same experience as me. All persons reading this review read it and deceide for themselves their choices.

So I returned the waste of space and purchased this Microsoft MN-700 with of course the network adapter for my laptop. From the reviews I read I heard it worked and was easy. I couldn't believe that because the D-link ratings are higher than this for some very odd reason. Keep in mine I am a tech person and work with computers constantly. So I bought it after talking with a friend who told me that she had it and it was perfect. The first feature I noticed that was different was that right on the box it said you could network for printing and transferring files. With the D-link, it didn't say it on the box and from every single option on the D-link webpage, I don't think there is a way to do that which isn't at all what I truly wanted. Plus if they are the same price, why not get more for your buck.

Now all the other reviews said it only took 15 minutes. I definetely disagree with them because that is false advertisement. It only took 10 minutes :) . I had *2* laptops and a desktop running at the speed of light in 10 minuts. The setup was absolutely amazing from where I was coming from. First of all, YOU GET REAL SOFTWARE!!! With D-link, you are praying that you can access your own personal website for your system. That is BS because if you needed help then obviously the web isn't looking good. The interface is wonderful and nicely setup. You can view detailed specs of your system. When you setup their quick installation guide (which actually works) follow it exactly and carefully and there is no way to come to any problems. It is very fast. In fact, I am typing this review ON MY LAPTOP.

I am able to send my docs. directly to the printer wirelessly! No more saving to floppy disk and bringing over, etc. I can share my documents with other computers and I think music files. Still trying out all the features. KEEP IN MIND that you can't share everything!!! Program files is locked and some other files are too. Plus, even files that are allowed to share won't let you share even if you can access one's computer from another computer.

They have a nice customer service considering I only called them once with a miniscule problem. For the curious, the question was: How do I share files with other computers? See they tell you a little about that in the wonderful big manual that comes with it (that D-link doesn't have), but you have a 1 in 20 chance of picking a folder that matches the information in the book. See each folder is different. If you right click on one folder it might be a major folder where the option would be *Sharing and Security* whereas the minor folders don't have one. Of course I was clicking on the minor so I wasn't doing it right. ***Remember when you call, you have started the first day of the 2 years you can call for free!*** I didn't care because I know I wouldn't use them again because the whole product is so simple and if there ever was a problem, I just would take the software off and start over again.

Well this is my review and I am sure you can trust my help. This product you WILL NOT be dissapointed of. This is wonderful and works like it is suppose to. I am running windows XP so that I am sure this will work. Thank you for reading.

I can't say enough good things about this product. The radio signal is very strong (more than 6Mbps) throughout my 5000sqft+ home with no dead spots. I don't know how the Microsoft engineers did it. The Linksys WRT54G that I tried for a week was a poor performer compared to this Microsoft unit.

Microsoft may be known for their software products, but this unit should give them solid recognition in the hardware category. Highly recommended!

Works ok with win2k, but can't connect my Orinoco Silver (802.11b) to the router (may be a card issue rather than router).

Highly recommend investigating other choices from established netoworking companies that don't release beta products!

Note that the technical support is only free for 2 years, after which they charge you per call, at present. It is very disappointing that Microsoft reports 24 hours tech support, but conveniently omits the charges you're in store for if you need it in the future. The tech support people are very polite - absolutely worthless, but very polite about it.

Overall, the router is working well with the patch, but when considering the whole experience to get there (that I had to figure out by myself), it gets 3 stars for average.

that is to disable the 802.1 verification check box... once that is done.. the connection works fine. i had the same problem with a linksys wireless router... so returned that and got this instead. same prob at first the only difference is that the linksys didn't not document the issue. microsoft did.

microsoft released a fix couple of days ago... via windows update... but since it was already working fine... i won't know the difference.

in comparison with the linksys... it seems to work better with stronger signal within my place. the signal is stronger... and the connection stayed on for longer even with the problem mentioned above...

so far... have not had any prob since

on top the setup was much easier with the microsoft router... much more user friendly.

i think the price was reasonable..... in comparison