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| Access Point/Gateway | Street price (4/1/01) | Wireless adapter for client, street price (4/1/01) PCIcard | Wireless adapter for client, street price (4/1/01) PC Card | Wireless adapter for client, street price (4/1/01) USB | Wire ports WAN | Wire ports LAN | Wire ports Other | Encryption level | Warranty (years), support (hours/days) | Comments |
| 2Wire HomePortal 100W 877/349-3304 www.2wire.com | $399 | None | None | None | 1 | 1, 10Base-T | USB, phone-line jack | 64-bit | 1, 24/7 | A solid solution if you want wireless, phone-line, and ethernet all in one. Fairly simple installation; no programmable firewall. |
| 3Com Home Wireless Gateway 888/638-3266 www.3com.com | $287 | $289 | $199 | None | 1 | 3, 10/100 | None | 40-bit | 5, 12/5 | Installation instructions clear and precise. Slightly expensive for 40-bit encryption. |
| Agere Systems Orinoco RG-1000 Gateway 866/674-6626 www.orinocowireless.com | $349 | $69 | $149 (64-bit encryption); $169 (128-bit encryption) | $199 | 11 | 1, 10Base-T1 | Phone-line jack for built-in modem | 64- or 128-bit | 3, 24/7 | Built-in 56-kbps modem useful for accessing Internet via dial-up connection. Explicit installation documentation helps networking novices. |
| Buffalo Technology WLAR-L11-L AirStation 800/508-1110 www.buffalotech.com | $300 | $41 | $120 | $179 | 1 | 4, 10/100 | None | 40-bit | 2, 16/5 | Complicated installation software and procedures mar otherwise capable unit. Comes with 4-port hub. |
| Cayman Systems DSL Gateway 800/473-4776 www.cayman.com | $500 | None | None | None | DSL jack2 | 4, 10Base-T | None | 40- or 128-bit | 1, 8/5 | Difficult to install; no advanced firewall features. Only device here that offers built-in DSL modem, which can save money. |
| D-Link DI-713 949/790-5290 www.dlink.com | $199 | $135 | $99 | $130 | 1 | 3, 10/100 | Serial | 40-bit | 1, 12/5 | Cheapest device here doesn't skimp on extra features, including a programmable firewall. Metal case gives it an industrial look. |
| Farallon NetLine Wireless Broadband Gateway 800/613-4954 www.farallon.com | $299 | $50 | $149 (64-bit encryption); $1493 (128-bit encryption) | None | 1 | 1, 10/100 | None | 64- or 128-bit | 1, 9.5/5 | Fairly easy to install. PC Card slot permits upgrades to next-generation cards. |
| Best Buy Linksys BEFW11S4 EtherFast Wireless AP 800/546-5797 www.linksys.com | $289 | $49 | $129 | $149 | 1 | 4, 10/100 | 10/100 uplink4 | 40, 64-, or 128-bit | 1, 24/7 | Easy installation, a programmable firewall, and a wealth of features for a reasonable price; best choice for both novices and pros. |
| MaxGate UGate-3300 800/284-8985 www.maxgate.net | $279 | None | None | None | 1 | 1, 10/100 | Parallel | None | 1, 9/5 | Easy-to-install unit includes a print server and a programmable firewall. Special online gaming support. |
| SOHOware NetBlaster II Hub 800/621-1118 www.sohoware.com | $250 | $200 | $150 | None | None | 1, 10/100 | None | 40-bit | 1, 24/7 | Useful for adding wireless capability, but omits programmable firewall and ethernet hub. Full line of cards and adapters available, but others do more for the same price. |
| Xircom Wireless Ethernet Access Point 800/438-4526 www.xircom.com | $330 | None | $180 | None | None | 1, 10/100 | None | 40-bit | Lifetime, 11/15 | Expensive for a unit that doesn't include a programmable firewall or an ethernet hub and offers only 40-bit encryption. |
| Netgear Phoneline 10X PE102 and RT3145 800/638-4327 www.netgear.com | $3486 | $40 | None | $149 | None | 1, 10/100 | Phone-line jack | None | 5,7 24/7 | Trouble-free setup makes this a good choice for networking beginners. Separate router box simplifies use in combination with wireless products. |
1Port can be used as either a WAN or a LAN port, depending on cable.
2DSL modem built into gateway.
3Included with gateway for client system.
4Deactivates one LAN port.
5HomePNA (phone-line) product included for comparison.
6Bridge $199, router $149.
7Bridge only; one year on power adapters and router.