D-Link DWL-AB650 Dual Band 2.4GHz/5GHz Wireless LAN PC Card

Average customer rating: 4.0

Barely acceptable.
From now on, I will buy D-Link products!
Another great D-Link product

D-Link DWL-AB650 Dual Band 2.4GHz/5GHz Wireless LAN PC Card

Manufacturer: D-Link Systems, Inc.
Product Group: CE
Binding: Electronics
ASIN: B00006SKKT

Related Categories:

Notebook Cards

Notebook Cards

Product Description

The D-Link AirPro DWL-AB650 is a cardbus adapter for laptop computers that can connect to both 802.11b and 802.11a wireless networks. The DWL-AB650 enables IT managers to plan for future network growth or to immediately expand their wireless network infrastructure when available wireless channels have already been tapped out. The additional high-bandwidth channels available with 802.11a also offer users on the network a robust way to transmit large data files much quicker than what was possible with 802.11b. Users have the option of connecting to an 802.11a network in the office or at home to take advantage of the greater bandwidth for large file transfers; or connect to a 802.11b "hotspot" network to retrieve and send emails. The DWL-AB650 is IEEE 802.11a and 802.11b compliant and interoperable with other 802.11a and 802.11b compliant devices. When communicating in the 802.11a bandwidth, the D-Link DWL-AB650 also provides a level of security not previously achievable from other standard wireless solutions. The Atheros Communications 802.11a chipset's utilization of the latest data encryption standard, AES along with 802.1x for user authentication provides a much more formidable barrier to hackers and sniffers, allowing users to share confidential or time-sensitive data with a much greater sense of security. The DWL-AB650 also has the option to utilize 152-bit WEP with Dynamic Keying with 802.1x user authentication. When used with D-Link's other 802.11a and dual-band, multimode access points and routers, the DWL-AB650 also offers a quick, out-of-box solution to instantly expand a company's network.

Customer Reviews:

Barely acceptable........2004-11-02

I have both a DWL-120+ and the DWL-AB650. I am using the wireless adapters with a DI614+ router and neighbors routers.

My DWL-120+ detects and uses several available wireless routers besides my own router. The signal detected from my router is consistently weighted at greater than 90% signal strength. The other routers signals are greater than 65% signal strength.

My DWL-AB650 consistently detects my routers signal in the range of 50-70% signal strength.
The other routers are not detected at all.

Dlink tech support has no reasonable fix. I'm a Motorola Radio engineer. Maybe I have high expectations a response to an obviously flawed product by DLink Tech Support.

From now on, I will buy D-Link products!.......2003-03-30

This card has the following metits: 1) works greatly, even in the condition of weakest signal; 2) easy to install in WinXP Home edition; 3) dual modes ready for potential upgrades; 4) absolutely cheaper than any other dual band cards I have ever known (pls buy it from Amazon.com, I received my card in the third day after I ordered for free shipping). Thank you--Amazon.com!

Another great D-Link product.......2003-03-24

I purchased this card very recently, and it works great. It is very easy to install (in my case on a Micron Millenia laptop running Windows ME). The installation guide (geared for XP) is very concise and easy to follow. This card is "hot-pluggable", meaning you can easily get onto your network with your OS running. You need a 32 bit cardbus slot which is available on most newer laptops. The only negative would be the "pop-up" design of the antenna, which could cover your second PC card slot and make it non usable). I have 802.11b and use DI-713P, and I get a great and sustained connection signal. I cannot comment on the "a" protocol, but I am sure it will work as advertised. Also it allows you to tap into public "hotspots" when out of town (eg. airports, hotels). I bought it mainly because of its dual mode, which is a very handy feature and keeps your options and potential upgrades open in the future. It certainly makes more sense economically than purchasing 2 separate cards, and Amazon had the lowest price (even cheaper than the 22Mbs 650+ or wireless G), specially with the current rebate. Even though most wireless connections are currently 802.11b, the emerging "G" and faster "A" modes will sure make this dual AB card a first choice. Needless to say I am a D-Link fan for networking (this is my 6th, but not last, D-link product), and would definitely recommend the DWL-AB650. Thank you Amazon.

Electronics:

Electronics

Electronics