It's last year's technology, but it still works for me

If you don't mind not having the latest and greatest electronics, you won't mind this workhorse of a wireless adapter that has been well-reveiwed by CNET and other sites. I bought it upon seeing it compared to other small USB adapters. It beat out the other adapters at the time I was shopping for one (about 1.5 years ago), both in terms of its ability to receive a signal, but also for its size, and price.

I am pleased with the size, price and reception of this unit. It's a very simple unit to install, too. You just plug it in, a quick CD installation and you're set to start receiving a signal. I prefer it to the onboard wifi reciever on my laptop, because it's external to my laptop, and receives singals much better (I tested this manually at Starbucks when I first got it).

The unit doesn't always work, though. Somtimes I will plug it in, and I won't be able to run the required software, which is Netgear "Smart Wizard". I will plug it in, see a blue light indicating it is receiving a signal, but when I try to open the Smart Wizard, it immediately crashes, requiring me to re-boot my computer. That's a waste of time. Unplugging and replugging the adapter doesn't help.

But other than this very occasional glitch (which may be my fault or my computer's fault), I have no problems with this unit. I get great reception (usually I use it at coffee shops or airports). It does get a little hot, so if you use it for more than 15 minutes, it will be hot when you unplug it. Also, it has an exposed USB male plug, whereas newer units have slid-out plugs. One last thing that is annoying is the clear cover/lid that comes with this unit. I don't see how it's necessary, but it's there. I wish both the silver and clear covers were replaced by a slide-out plug.

Other than that, I give this unit a big thumbs up.