tech support is not much help either - and the wait is long. On different calls, the wait times have been quoted as 160 minutes down to a minimum of 40 minutes. And they couldn't help once I waited to get through.

The enclosed CD ROM set up assistant was very easy to follow.

I was able to surf the web from my living room (about 55 feet from the router) with no trouble or noticable decrease in speed.

I have the router connected to my desktop Windows PC and cable modem. Our laptop is a Mac with a AirPort card (NOT the AirPort extreme card). This unit is a fraction of the cost of an Apple AirPort base and for my needs it does everything I would need the more expensive unit to do. I dont believe that you can install this router if you only have a Mac so do your homework before you buy one if you are an Apple only household.

So far so good - I am very happy with this item!

1) Port forwarding does not work. That means you can't optimally use your favorite file sharing software (eg, Kazaa) with this router. (-1) star

2) When your connections exceed 256 connections (very common when file sharing) the router dies, loses its connection to your broadband ISP and requires a power cycle in order to get it working again. (-1) star

3) On the feature list, it says it has network printer sharing capabilities but it's actually done thru setting up a dedicated pc attached to the printer, so you have to turn that pc on and wait for it to boot in order to print. No dedicated print server. (-1) star

It does get (+1) star for style and design and another (+1) star for having good range and a removable antenna for mounting in a more optimal location, however, I haven't been able to find a place where you can purchase the ext. cable.

My other choices are Microsoft, Linksys, and SMC...although, the SMC is the only one that comes with a dedicated print server.

However, tech-support is TERRIBLE and if you do call you WILL be on hold for a VERY long time, but the set-up and instructions are easy enough.
If you have a truemobile you can download the update from:
http://www.NetGearFiles.com/downloads/router/MR814v2_5011.zip

802.11b "speed" more than adequate for Internet applications

Works without much configuration. Have not used all features yet, such as filtering, forwarding etc.

Used in DELL XP and Win2K notebooks for several weeks now.
Wireless application in XP has trouble waking from hibernation sometimes. Win 2K much better, but Win2K more stable in general between these two machines anyway.

Reliable usage, although at one time consistently dropped connections. This was because of interference from someone else neaby using the same channel (Maybe Source of other problems noted here); so changed channel and ok.

Upgraded to latest firmware which fixes time of day from NTP severs amongst other things.

Have connected behind existing Linksys router connected to Cable Modem. This did not require any configuration changes, although check for router protocols used in both, i.e. RIP.

Occasionally have to reboot one or both routers, although this isn't that frequent; stable for days, weeks.

I had been so happy with it I went straight out and bought another. When I opened the box though I discovered I had the V2 model, which is about 1/3rd the size. This a much inferior product to the original. The range is much less and drop outs are regular, every few minutes, even when in the same room as the router. I've been back to the store once to exchange it but the replacement is no better. I'm going to return this one too.

(1) The set-up instructions had bizarre blind spots which left me without guidance on key issues.

(2) Once it was set up, the wireless connection dropped incessantly -- more or less every twenty minutes -- no matter what I did (and I spent hours trying to solve the problem).

(3) The wireless connection could not survive distances of more than 4 or 5 feet, even with no walls or other obstructions in the way. (Note that I was using both the Netgear router and Netgear wireless cards).

(4) My first call to the help line started with 45 minutes on hold. The second time I called help I waited on hold for 45 minutes before the system hung up on me (with no indication why). I called back and waited another 25 minutes before the system hung up on me again. I called back a 3rd time, and got through after 35 minutes.

(5) The help people I spoke with were very friendly and eager to help, but nothing they offered helped even the slightest bit. For example, they directed me to a system upgrade that was supposed to solve the problem of dropped connections; it made absolutely no difference whatsoever. They suggested various other tactics, but none made a difference. I sank hours into implementing their suggestions -- all wasted.

(5) Finally, help told me that they would research the dropped connection issue further and get back to me. They never did. I doubt they meant badly; much more likely, Netgear refuses to provide even a fraction of the funds necessary to sustain a workable help line.

Reading other reviews, I guess it must be true that this product works for some people. But I've got good basic equipment, am generally able to make computers (etc) do what they're supposed to do, and gave this product many hours of effort, and it was an absolute failure. Maybe the product is finicky about what other products it will work with; or maybe Netgear's quality control is so bad that the quality of individual units varries enormously. Either way, I'd say its not worth the gamble. There's no reason to risk the kind of frustration this product caused me. Save yourself the ulcer.

my reason for buying this model was the price. it's tough to beat, especially compared to apple's airport.

the reason this didn't get five stars was that the range can be limited. i live in a small, two-bedroom house and sometimes loose my signal. but, luckily i get it fine in my home office. (the only cable line is in the living room, it's easiest just to leave it all there instead of running wire, hence the wireless router).