Product Reviews

SMC's ADSL router bundle comes with an SMCWUSBS-N2 USB adaptor. At just £77, it's an inexpensive way to set up a wireless network. There's no CD-based setup wizard, so you have to use the router's web-based management pages instead. This includes a basic setup wizard, but it only helps you configure your internet settings - not your wireless network - and you must enable security settings manually. Fortunately, this isn't too hard as the management page is fairly clear.

This router supports WPS push-button configuration. It works in a similar

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way to Buffalo's AOSS technology, transferring wireless network settings to compatible clients at the push of a button. Sadly, the bundled USB adaptor doesn't support this feature under Windows Vista. For this you need the SMCWUSBS-N adaptor, which is £23. However, WPS isn't any easier than using Windows' built-in wireless networking client and typing in your network password.

Performance with our Centrino laptop was very good. It managed 11.24Mbit/s at 25m, which indicates that it delivers a strong, reliable signal. The bundled USB adaptor was also very quick, managing 16.24Mbit/s at 25m. As this price you'd expect some features to have been cut, but you get all the usual features, including UPnP, port forwarding and Dynamic DNS. The only option missing is QoS for prioritising network traffic. If you don't use a lot of VoIP, you'll not miss it, though.

This is a simple, inexpensive way to upgrade to a Draft-N wireless network. The USB adaptor is quick, and additional adaptors that support WPS under Vista are cheap. It can't match the features or power of Linksys's WAG325N, but for those on a budget, it's a great choice.