Editors' note: Netgear has released a firmware update that adds support for WPA-PSK. You can download the update from the Netgear support site. (5/3/04)
With the WGR614 router, Netgear applies its sexy industrial design and consumer-friendly approach to the brave new world of 802.11g. The WGR614 is basically an 802.11g version of Netgear's MR814, perhaps the best 802.11b router ever made. In most respects, the WGR614 lives up to this legacy, delivering not only effortless setup but also the fastest performance and longest operating range of any 802.11g router we've tested. Only two sticking points keep the WGR614 from earning a CNET Editors' Choice: its laggard performance in our mixed-mode test (when both 802.11g and 802.11b devices are running) and Netgear's new policy of forcing users to register in order to activate their warranty. Nonetheless, thanks to its stunning looks, ease of use, and low average selling price of just more than $100, the WGR614 is a great 802.11g buy for home users.It's great to see a product such as the Netgear WGR614 router that's clearly carefully designed for a good consumer experience. The latest Netgear setup software is a simple, browser-based wizard, called the Install Assistant, that forces you to check off steps as you go, from connecting cables to rebooting your system. At each point, a tasteful bit of animation makes your job crystal clear. The wizard even provides a little movie (specific to your Windows or Mac OS version) that shows where to click so that your computer can obtain an IP address from the network automatically. And, yes, an Ethernet cable is provided.
When it's time to connect to your ISP, you switch to the browser-based Settings interface. Here, another wizard pops up to automatically grab your ISP's DNS settings, determine if you have a fixed or dynamic IP, and see whether PPPoE is in use--removing some common stumbling blocks for newbies. A test feature provides confirmation that you're ready to roll and shunts you to Netgear's support-and-registration Web page. After you've completed the router setup, the browser-based configuration utility appears on your screen. The utility is typical in most respects, except that it provides useful explanations that stay onscreen as you click through the well-organized options.
With the WGR614 router, Netgear applies its sexy industrial design and consumer-friendly approach to the brave new world of 802.11g. The WGR614 is basically an 802.11g version of Netgear's MR814, perhaps the best 802.11b router ever made. In most respects, the WGR614 lives up to this legacy, delivering not only effortless setup but also the fastest performance and longest operating range of any 802.11g router we've tested. Only two sticking points keep the WGR614 from earning a CNET Editors' Choice: its laggard performance in our mixed-mode test (when both 802.11g and 802.11b devices are running) and Netgear's new policy of forcing users to register in order to activate their warranty. Nonetheless, thanks to its stunning looks, ease of use, and low average selling price of just more than $100, the WGR614 is a great 802.11g buy for home users.It's great to see a product such as the Netgear WGR614 router that's clearly carefully designed for a good consumer experience. The latest Netgear setup software is a simple, browser-based wizard, called the Install Assistant, that forces you to check off steps as you go, from connecting cables to rebooting your system. At each point, a tasteful bit of animation makes your job crystal clear. The wizard even provides a little movie (specific to your Windows or Mac OS version) that shows where to click so that your computer can obtain an IP address from the network automatically. And, yes, an Ethernet cable is provided.
When it's time to connect to your ISP, you switch to the browser-based Settings interface. Here, another wizard pops up to automatically grab your ISP's DNS settings, determine if you have a fixed or dynamic IP, and see whether PPPoE is in use--removing some common stumbling blocks for newbies. A test feature provides confirmation that you're ready to roll and shunts you to Netgear's support-and-registration Web page. After you've completed the router setup, the browser-based configuration utility appears on your screen. The utility is typical in most respects, except that it provides useful explanations that stay onscreen as you click through the well-organized options.
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