Linksys WRT54GS Wireless Router

Pros: none
Cons: Poor range. Ill-informed support staff with long wait times.

At first glance, the WRT54G looks mean and ready to outperform the others. But transfer rates are no more than 1.5MB/s at close range. Even with the dual antennas, the WRT54G has a very limited range yielding 18Mbps @ 15 feet.

The poorly trained support will only inflame you with their ill-advice and unknowing lack of knowledge. I requested if the router had port-redirection where you can forward an external port to an internal port of a different number. Two different support members told me yes but one told me that such things are done at the level of the internal server (which tells me they're clueless). It can only forward ports to ports of the same number.

Another problem with support is the wait. Be prepared to wait long past 30 minutes; perhaps up to 45 minutes per call at different times of the day.

Pros: 1) Ease of installation 2) Connection Speed. 3) Linksys Support.
Cons: There were no cons for me.

MY EXPERIENCE: This product is great! It even installed well on my clunky Win 98SE direct connect desktop. It works well on my older Compaq Laptop (XP Home). The box it came in says "for best performance, use with Windows XP". I replaced an 80211b configuration and I am happy with the increased speed.
WHY I BOUGHT THIS PRODUCT: Linksys reputation - my last Wireless Router was a Linksys - My FIRST name brand Wireless Router and Card (Wasn't a Linksys) got me so frustrated that I gave it away after a month and replaced it with a Linksys WRT54G.
WHAT I LIKE: The installation was relatively simple. I had one hiccup and Linksys Support fixed it promptly. I like the increased connection speed. I'd highly recommend this product along with the Linksys Speed Booster Laptop Card.
WHAT I DISLIKE. I have NO dislikes.

Pros: Reliable, functional, easy to use.
Cons: None that I can think of

I initially bought a NetGear router because I loved their switches and loved the company. I also got a great deal on the NetGear. However, it died after a few weeks.

The LinkSys has been going strong without issue for three months now! I have to say that the good reviews on this product are for a reason. It is the best and most consistently well-rated of all the routers you will see.

I set it up quickly and only have had to reboot it rarely.

Highly recommended.

Pros: the router worked great
Cons: it took a lot of follow-up to get linksys to fulfill the warranty

I had this item for almost 2 years and it worked great. One day it stopped working and since it was still under warranty, we called Linksys. My boyfriend spent hours the phone with them until they finally agreed that the unit needed to be fixed or replaced. I completed the online process and mailed the unit in.

From the time I mailed my unit in to the time I received what I think to be a factory reconditioned unit was over 2 months! After a month of not hearing a word from Linksys, I called customer service. They informed me that since they changed warehouse locations since I mailed the unit, the unit was likely sitting unopened at the old warehouse. I provided the tracking number that verified Linksys had received the unit, and they agreed to "expedite" the process.

It took another month of calls and threatening emails to finally receive the unit. When I received the unit the install cd was cracked, but luckily still worked. The new unit is functioning fine, but was a headache to wrangle over with Linksys.

Pros: Looks nice, pretty box
Cons: Awful support

Had issues getting this working and called their tech support. (Mind you, I'm a computer engineer and have done wired networking lots of time.) After a lot of time on hold and a lot of explaining the same thing over and over, the support "engineer" in the Phillipines told me that she'd send me an e-mail within 24 hours explaining how to fix the problem.

I never got the e-mail. Still haven't.

Returned the product, got Netgear, and had that up and running in no time.

Pros: Broaden your life experience by talking to people in India...
Cons: Doesn't work, techs accents hard to understand

I have a simple home network of two wired PCs, three wireless laptops, a network printer and a wired Xbox. The router it replaced (lightning damage) was a breeze to set up by comparison. Only after several hours talking to a gentleman in India and updating firmware did it begin to sort of work... Several more hours were spent on online and LAN gaming issues before another upgrade and reset, a week after the first(!), to which the router did not respond. Now I'm told it is a bad router, so sorry, and to take it back to the retailer... this after 8 plus hours on hold, talking to or chatting with techs to begin with.

Avoid this router so you can avoid Linksys tech support!

Pros: Easy setup & upgrade
Cons: So far - none.

I switched to the WRT54GS (802.11g) from a BEFW11S4 (802.11b) - I got a great deal ( Staples.ca had them on for $89.99 but ncix.com for $85.99 - pricematch from Staples + extra 10% off it cost me $74, along with a $15 rebate in hand ).

It took me 5 minutes to get it setup - plug it in, fire up firefox and connect to the web-interface. Impressive - lots of features and a firmware upgrade took less than 5 mins as well.

Due to the ease of setup and menus on the web-interface, this router can be used from novice to advanced users. I would recommend this router to anyone, especially since it uses 802.11g with the added security and max throughput of up to 54Mbps. Two thumbs up! :-)

Pros: None.
Cons: Poor support, bad firmware, a bad investment.

Linksys tech support advised that later models (v.5) are having serious firmware problems. I tried with three and could not get them to connect. Likewise, I could not get the new firmware to load.

Buy someone else's product.

Pros: Works well in certain situations
Cons: Set-up is tricky at times and interference can cause undesirable connection issues

Sometimes set-up can be tricky, like when using PPoE with a bad ISP. Other times it comes working out of the box. Mixed feelings about this product

Pros: none
Cons: no tech support. Not easy to install

I will never buy a linksys product again. No tech support, not easy to install. After Installing, could not connect more than one computer at a time. Tried everything possible, waited on phone more than 40 mins. E-mailed questions and no answer!!

Pros: Works great, for a couple of months
Cons: only lasted a couple of months, poor warranty care

There is a lot to like about this router, Don't know if I just got a bad one or what but it stopped working after 10 weeks of use. Linksys was good about replacing it though. Did I mention the "new replacement" was actually a older "remanufactured" Of a older version of the same router? This after I specifically requested the same version! Oh did I mention they require you to provide your credit card number so that they can put a hold on it for $90. That is until they receive the old router that they want you to pay to have shipped back to them. Let me see I originally paid $76 now I have the honor of paying another $9 to ship it back and have $90 of credit tied up for God knows how long. I Guarantee you I will never by another Linksys Product again. EVER

Pros: Cheap and easy to install
Cons: Wired length limit of 60' Not even close to the 300' I needed.

I've had this router for a year and a half. up to this point it worked fine. The wireless coverage is OK. The down side is when you try to use the wired ports. I tried this and found that unlike regular switches that have a 300ft length limit, This units limit is 63 feet. Now that I have hardwired my home, I need to buy a new Switch.

Pros: SOHO Ideal! Fast Easy, Inexpensive
Cons: Nothing.

Simple, easy, & quick SOHO solution. Enough said, really. Works out of the box, though I suggest taking the initiative in customize your security features and enabling them, as well as taking the time to really understand its capabilities.

Pros: Easy setup
Cons: May be problematic for stability

Apparently many are having issues with ongoing Internet disconnects. That is to say that the router is losing its ability to communicate with the ISP provider at randoms intervals, and must be repowered to recover. Apparently it does not matter if you are using it with DSL or Cable. Some posts in different forums have suggested using a third party Firmware instead of the manufacturer's, as this seems to stabilize the unit. I am an owner of one with the issue and have not tried this solution yet since I am still testing other resolutions first. My recommendation is to steer clear of this model right now.

Pros: Has good range, decent router, software has good features, when they work.
Cons: lost settings, software flaws 3 firmware upgrades and one RMA Tech support suxs

UPDATE: After writing Linksys and explaining the problem, a tech called me personally to dedicate as much time as it took to figure out what was wrong. THE FIX: To keep settings and block Internet access, you must UNCHECK the Automatically adjust time for daylight savings, save settings. Why this works? No idea, but I have more control over network and settings work, use 2.02 firmware, then give it a shot, it should work as it is for me. Customer service still needs work, but no company has ever called me at home to "Make things right", I was impressed.

Good router, not really to many problems with setup once you get past the WEP, difficult for the average and sometimes the pro to set the WEP. Good software. You've heard it from the good reviews and the bad...Tech support is awful! If you just need a wireless router/Access point its gonna work just fine, but shop around certainly read reviews learn what problems everyone else is having (or not having) then decide whether you want to tackle those issues. Purchased July 03.