Netgear WG511T 108 Mbps Wireless PC Card
Manufacturer: NetGear Part number: WG511T
- More product information:
- Editors' review
- User reviews
- Specifications
- Product series
- Manufacturer info
- Bottom Line:
- The WG511T is a good choice for speed demons and those looking for a long-range PC Card adapter.
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CNET editors' review
Netgear WG511T 108 Mbps Wireless PC Card price range: $12.98 - $29.99
- Reviewed by: Allen Fear
- Reviewed on: 01/23/2004
- Released on: 12/01/2003
The good: Fast; great range; easy-to-use configuration utility; WPA support.
The bad: Increased interference risks; short warranty.
The bottom line: The WG511T is a good choice for speed demons and those looking for a long-range PC Card adapter.
There are three reasons you should consider Netgear's WG511T if you're shopping for a wireless networking adapter: it's easy to use, it's very fast, and it delivers the best range we've seen to date in a PC Card adapter. Unfortunately, the WG511T's enhanced range and speed can be achieved only when it is used with other Netgear Super G products, such as the Netgear WGT624 router. You can also use the adapter with standard 802.11g or 802.11b devices from other vendors, but when you do, the data-transfer speed plummets. This makes the WG511T the obvious choice if you're planning to build an exclusively Super G network. If you want your network to handle standard Wi-Fi traffic, on the other hand, you may want to consider a less expensive, standard 802.11g adapter, such as the Linksys WPC54G or Netgear's less racy WG511.
Installing the WG511T requires only inserting the accompanying CD and clicking through a few onscreen prompts. Once installed, an icon for the WG511T's Configuration Utility appears in the Windows taskbar notification area in the lower-right corner of the screen. We like this utility, which has a useful help section that explains the PC Card's various configuration and security options. The utility also lets you set up separate connection profiles for the different wireless networks you connect to, which saves you the hassle of having to reenter encryption keys or other security information each time you change networks. The WG511T supports both WEP and WPA encryption schemes.
The WG511T tucks a few performance enhancers under its hood--specifically, portions of the 802.11e draft specification built into its firmware--making it especially well suited for streaming media. These new features ensure that streaming-media applications, such as the voice and video links in a teleconference, won't be interrupted by a simple file transfer. This means that you can participate in a teleconference over your wireless connection and download data from the Internet without suffering degradation in the audio or video quality of the links.
The most noteworthy feature of the 108Mbps Netgear WG511T wireless PC Card is its inclusion of Super G technology (link is a PDF file), which boosts the adapter's speed to nearly twice the tempo of standard 802.11g devices. A recent firmware upgrade allows the PC Card to switch dynamically to support standard 802.11g and 802.11b devices when they enter the network, too.
The WG511T runs circles around the U.S. Robotics USR5410. Better yet, the WG511T delivered fantastic range in our indoor tests, providing stable connections as far as 225 feet away when connected to the Netgear WGT624 router in Super G mode.
CNET Labs throughput tests (Longer bars indicate better performance)
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The secret to the WG511T's fast speeds lies in its support of double-channel bonding, which tricks the transmitter and the receiver into accepting two wireless channels as a single channel. The downside to this type of channel allocation is that it requires a bigger swath of the spectrum, which means that your router is more likely to interfere with other 2.4GHz devices, such as neighboring networks and cordless phones.
Netgear's one-year warranty for the WG511T is shorter than you'll find on competing products, such as the D-Link DWL-G650, which has a three-year warranty. However, Netgear does offer toll-free, 24/7 phone support good for the lifetime of the product. We were impressed with the WG511T's documentation, too. Both the user manual and the installation guide are thorough and include illustrations and screenshots to ease setup and configuration. Netgear offers these documents online through its product support Web site, which also hosts firmware upgrades and a list of related FAQs. In addition, Netgear offers a free animated networking tutorial called Mentor that you access through the company's technical-support page. Mentor features onscreen demonstrations for changing network settings in Windows, using Outlook on your network, and browsing with Internet Explorer.
User reviews
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Overall Very Pleased
by RHarelson on November 4, 2005
Pros: Great range, finds networks other popular cards miss. Beta software upgrade gives good information and control. Locks onto networks other cards were dropping.
Cons: Greater antenna extension encourages damage. LED flash in pattern different from familiar data stream flicker.
Summary: I own two other cards, a Linksys WPC54G and a 54G Motorola card. They are all good cards with each having certain endearing features. The Netgear card undisputably has the ...
Summary: I own two other cards, a Linksys WPC54G and a 54G Motorola card. They are all good cards with each having certain endearing features. The Netgear card undisputably has the best range and sensativity. I have read some negative reviews on the Netgear WG511T and I had some trepidation while waiting for delivery. Fortunately I had no trouble whatsoever with the installation and within under five minutes I was up and running easily hitting my fairly well secured Linksys router and several other neighboring networks that I did not even know existed. I often use my notebook in a downtown area covered by public access wifi. Although the signal was strong, my Linksys card frequently dropped the signal or it would bounce between 1 MBS and 11 MBS. The dropping problem improved significantly with a software upgrade but I did not understand what was going on until I bought the Netgear card. Using the Netgear's newest Beta software I was able to see that my office is located between three points of transmission. All of the points were set to channel 1 with the same SID name. The Linksys card, for whatever reason would drop the strongest signal and scan for the weaker ones from time to time. The Netgear card and software allowed me to lock onto the stongest signal point and resolved my connection stability issue. Overall any quibbles I have with this card are minor. I find that the data transfer rate between my Linksys Router and Linksys card seems to be very slightly higher when the two are used together. However, whenever I leave home it is the Netgear card that I'm going to be carrying.
8 out of 8 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Great Product, be sure to get all of the driver updates
by ultravibe on February 28, 2005
Pros: I used this with a Lynksys WR54T, NetGear WGR614 & WGT624 and connects and stays connected everytime. Also used at hotels & airports without fail.
Cons: Make sure to get all of the updats online to take full advantage of the products potential
8 out of 10 users found this user opinion helpful.
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NETGEAR = POOR SERVICE
Pros: Cheap with rebates.
Cons: Trouble is not worth the money. The card is incompatible with certain drivers and/or OS (e.g., XP). After several frustrating calls to Netgear's Mumbai call center, I drew one clear conclusion: this company neither cares about its customers nor about i
4 out of 5 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Excellent wifi card
by mterk on November 27, 2005
Pros: Faster, better security
Cons: Requires windows software update to WPA2
Summary: This is an excellent wifi card, fast and easy to configure. Don't bother installing the netgear software--Windows XP handles the networking just fine. You will have to install the ...
Summary: This is an excellent wifi card, fast and easy to configure. Don't bother installing the netgear software--Windows XP handles the networking just fine. You will have to install the KB893357 update to add WPA2 support to Windows (the card supports WPA2 already). Purchased with WGT624 router.
2 out of 2 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Intermittent, hangs, no customer support
by kjbecker on July 14, 2005
Pros: Well, it _looks_ nice
Cons: Messy software install/uninstall, hangs, lots of problems
Summary: Bought this thing 10/2004. It worked - sort of, but had hangs where computer would freeze. New software from Netgear trashes computer, won't allow normal uninstall. Frozen computer, ...
Summary: Bought this thing 10/2004. It worked - sort of, but had hangs where computer would freeze. New software from Netgear trashes computer, won't allow normal uninstall. Frozen computer, improper install. Netgear forums are _full_ of complaints on this card. Stay away. And, no, I'm not a noob. I do major hardware/software systems for a living.
Updated
Had this thing for a year, got occasional freezes. Then, got wireless router for a present and discovered that the Netgear card would freeze the comp after 30s to 30 minutes. Driver uninstalls, reinstalls, different versions, incomplete installs, uninstalls, cleaning out registry, cleaning computer, email to tech support, _talking_ to tech support, nothing worked. Company won't take back card.
Netgear forums are full up to the neck with tales of computer freezes under XP with this card and similar cards. Netgear has no response, and tech support has fishfood claim that 'too many resources on one interrupt will crash any wireless adapter.'
Replaced card with Linksys, now no problems. Others on forums have used Belkin, etc. - also no problems.
Netgear has no response. Stay away from this card!2 out of 2 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Great Product!
by drath7875 on July 27, 2005
Pros: Easy Setup, Great throughput, Cheap!
Cons: Have to download newest drivers! Poor Customer Support!
Summary: Great Product! Some other reviews were bad and complained about intermittent connection. Just like every other wireless card, you must download the lastest drivers from the manufacturer before even attempting ...
Summary: Great Product! Some other reviews were bad and complained about intermittent connection. Just like every other wireless card, you must download the lastest drivers from the manufacturer before even attempting to install to avoid problems that have already been fixed. I have installed many different brands of wireless and I have chosen to stand behind the Netgear products for their price and performance for home users.
1 out of 1 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Has worked flawlessly when I travel.
Pros: Just plug it in and it works. I have had good connectivity in airports, hotels and coffee shops.
Cons: None that I have noticed.
1 out of 1 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Bad Support Experience
by dmhinz on October 31, 2005
Pros: The card is fast
Cons: Support is terrible
Summary: I had a very bad time with Netgear support today. Here's what I wrote in response to their customer satisfaction survey request:
Basically, your support SUCKS. I am not ...Summary: I had a very bad time with Netgear support today. Here's what I wrote in response to their customer satisfaction survey request:
Basically, your support SUCKS. I am not normally one to complain, but this time
it is completely warranted. I called in to get an RMA on an adapter I already knew
was defective, but that request was denied. I was forced to update drivers first;
but this did not solve the problem. Doing the update was not only extremely difficult
to accomplish considering I had to do it with a defective adapter, but it actually
also blew away my previous configurations setting which I now have to re-create.
I was eventually (after having to call in and talk with 4 seperate agents) told
I would get an RMA number issued, but instead of giving me and RMA right then, I
was transferred 'to the RMA department' despite my protest. Just as I suspected
would happen, I was disconnected in the process by your crappy phone system. The
next time I called, I actually got connected with the original technician (name deleted)
who took my first call, and he actually finally processed my RMA request (So why
were the other agents not able to do it when I originally pleaded with them to do
this? (I think your policies dictate this stupid protocol, and I was lied to by
agents that just want to get me off the line.) This whole process took nearly 3
hours when it could have been done in 10 minutes. None of the agents wanted to
stay on the call to work through the issue, they were all eager to end the call.
Being forced to follow your process is an insult to my intelligence, and a waste
of my precious time. My solution in the future will be to avoid the purchase of
Netgear products at all costs. I am utterly and completely dissatisfied with your
support and the reliability of your WG511T adapter product. You people have stolen
3 hours of my life already, and now I must spend even more time to return this defective
piece of junk and wait 5 to 7 days for a replacement. I seriously doubt that Netgear
will repay me for the inconvenience you've caused me, so I will just have to recount,
with extreme prejudice, my negative experience to anyone who will listen.1 out of 2 users found this user opinion helpful.
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DON'T BOTHER
by wireless_less on September 1, 2005
Pros: NONE AT ALL
Cons: PLENTY IF YOU HAVE THE TIME
Summary: THIS CARD WAS NOT MADE FOR THE TYPICAL PC USER< OR FOR THE PROFESSIONAL TECH GUY, IT IS NOT WORTH THE TIME AND EFFORT TO GET IT TO WORK. ...
Summary: THIS CARD WAS NOT MADE FOR THE TYPICAL PC USER< OR FOR THE PROFESSIONAL TECH GUY, IT IS NOT WORTH THE TIME AND EFFORT TO GET IT TO WORK. NETGEAR KEEPS PLUGGING THAT IT IS AN XP PROBLEM, WHY DON"T THEY JUST RECALL THIS PRODUCT AND MANUFACTURE A BETTER CARD. WHY DO THEY HAVE SO MANY FIRMWARE UPGRADES, BECAUSE THEY CAN'T FIGURE OUT HOW THE CARD WORKS. POOR ENGINEERING, VERY POOR.
1 out of 2 users found this user opinion helpful.
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DONT BUY NET GEAR
Pros: Fast
Cons: hard to get woking if it doesnt work initially has know issues with making laptops freeze upon istallation. and has know issues with windows SP2.
1 out of 2 users found this user opinion helpful.
Specifications
- Manufacturer: NetGear
- Part number: WG511T
- Description: Want the fastest-ever untethered access to the Internet from your notebook PC? Then NETGEAR's 108 Mbps Wireless PC Card is just what you need. It achieves speeds up to 108 Mbps with Super GTM Technology, providing total mobility as you access your home wireless router, office network, or public hotspots. Even more, it lets you finally enjoy the best in advanced applications, such as video streaming, and at greater range with new antenna technology. NETGEAR's Smart Wizard install assistant makes setup so easy, you're ready to go within minutes. 802.11g standard compliance ensures interoperability with existing 802.11b and 802.11g networks. Delivers digital images, videos and MP3 files up to 10x faster than most existing 11b wireless networks - up to 108 Mbps with Super G Technology. New antenna technology permits greater range than available with previous-generation products. Dynamic rate shifting responds to environmental conditions in order to achieve the fastest possible connections. Lets you take your notebook anywhere from home to office, to the airport and other public access areas - without being tied to Ethernet cables. It works with 802.11b wireless routers and access points, ensuring compatibility with many existing hotspots and networks. Setup is a breeze with NETGEAR's Smart Wizard install assistant. Provides the highest available level of industry standard 128-bit WEP encryption, and it's upgradeable to Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA) security. Use with the NETGEAR WGT624 108 Mbps Wireless Firewall Router for added firewall security.
General
- Device Type Network adapter
- Form Factor Plug-in module
- Width 4.7 in
- Depth 2.1 in
- Networking Device Type Network adapter
- Height 0.2 in
- Interface (Bus) Type CardBus
- Weight 1.6 oz
- Form factor [Jul 2, 2008 from CDS: Networking] Plug-in module
Networking
- Data Link Protocol IEEE 802.11b ,
IEEE 802.11g - Connectivity Technology Wireless
- Data Transfer Rate 108 Mbps
- Networking type Network adapter
- Frequency Band 2.4 GHz
- Features Dynamic rate shifting
- Compliant Standards IEEE 802.11g,
IEEE 802.11b - Line Coding Format 64 QAM,
DBPSK,
DQPSK,
CCK,
OFDM,
QPSK,
BPSK,
16 QAM Expansion / Connectivity
- Expansion Slot(s) None
- Compatible Slots 1 x CardBus - Type II
- Connections None
- Expansion Slot(s) Total (Free) None
Miscellaneous
- Encryption Algorithm 40-bit WEP,
128-bit WEP - Microsoft Certifications Certified for Windows Vista
- Compliant Standards FCC Class B certified
Power
- Power Device None
- Power Supply / Device None
Software / System Requirements
- Software Included Drivers & Utilities
- OS Required Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition,
Microsoft Windows XP Professional,
Microsoft Windows 2000,
Microsoft Windows 98,
Microsoft Windows Millennium Edition,
Microsoft Windows 98 Second Edition - Min Processor Type Intel Pentium - 300 MHz
- Min Processor Type Intel Pentium 300 MHz
Manufacturer Warranty
- Service & Support 1 year warranty
- Service & Support Details Limited warranty - 1 year
Expansion / Port(s) Required
- Slot(s) Required 1 CardBus Type II
- Port(s) / Connector(s) Required None
Warranty
- Service / Support Details Limited warranty 1 year
Product series
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Netgear WG511T 108 Mbps Wireless PC Card
Manufacturer: NetGear
Specs: 108 Mbps,
Wireless,
CardBus
Manufacturer info
- Manufacturer profile
- Browse NetGear products on Shopper.com
-
- Manufacturer:NetGear
- Address:
350 East Plumeria Drive, San Jose, CA 95134-1911 - Phone: 1-408-907-8000
- Email: support@netgear.com
- Fax: 1-408-907-8097
