saturation
Regular Contributor
I came across this device at a reputable computer store last month. It was less than $10, and if it worked, would upgrade an old 11g client.
The packaging and device appear as high quality construction. Note the following at the bottom beginning from the left of the larger photo:
Designed For Windows XP
Certified For Windows Vista
Compatible with Windows 7
To obtain these logos a maker must pass these requirements:
http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/DevTools/WDK/WDKpkg.mspx
They are fairly lenient, but there is no database consumers can check to verify these claims. So how do we know if these logos are true to their meaning? The only way for consumers to be sure is to test it on these OS.
In addition, the WFA logo on the right on the box, blown up in attachment #2.
I cannot find such a logo anywhere nor a specification related to 'compatible' rather than certified. Also, the model # on the scan is removed by me, is not in the WFA database although other models in the maker's line are.
Some comments on the statements made on the bottom of the box:
If certified, 11n, it should be backward compatible with b,g at least so its moot
However, the device is rated only to 150 Mbps, and is a single radio, which is not certifiable as 11n, so what does this logo mean and where did it come from? Note, the true WFA logo is '3D' versus the more 2D of this compatible logo
The software based WPS button does not work, which would be surprising if the device was truly certified
Testing:
It has one desirable feature, its a plug in AP. You can insert it into any PC, load its client and engage AP mode, and now you can directly access that PC's shared resources in ad-hoc mode up to 50Mbps.
Its connection to an AP router ESR-7750 with 11n is unreliable in long downloads, with eventual connection drops 5-10 minutes transferring large files. Its OK for burst connections, but over the long haul, it does no better than 11g. It has no problems as a 11g or 11b client.
The packaging and device appear as high quality construction. Note the following at the bottom beginning from the left of the larger photo:
Designed For Windows XP
Certified For Windows Vista
Compatible with Windows 7
To obtain these logos a maker must pass these requirements:
http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/DevTools/WDK/WDKpkg.mspx
They are fairly lenient, but there is no database consumers can check to verify these claims. So how do we know if these logos are true to their meaning? The only way for consumers to be sure is to test it on these OS.
In addition, the WFA logo on the right on the box, blown up in attachment #2.
I cannot find such a logo anywhere nor a specification related to 'compatible' rather than certified. Also, the model # on the scan is removed by me, is not in the WFA database although other models in the maker's line are.
Some comments on the statements made on the bottom of the box:
If certified, 11n, it should be backward compatible with b,g at least so its moot
However, the device is rated only to 150 Mbps, and is a single radio, which is not certifiable as 11n, so what does this logo mean and where did it come from? Note, the true WFA logo is '3D' versus the more 2D of this compatible logo
The software based WPS button does not work, which would be surprising if the device was truly certified
Testing:
It has one desirable feature, its a plug in AP. You can insert it into any PC, load its client and engage AP mode, and now you can directly access that PC's shared resources in ad-hoc mode up to 50Mbps.
Its connection to an AP router ESR-7750 with 11n is unreliable in long downloads, with eventual connection drops 5-10 minutes transferring large files. Its OK for burst connections, but over the long haul, it does no better than 11g. It has no problems as a 11g or 11b client.
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