NETGEAR Dual Band Wireless Adapter Review

| Wireless Driver & Software

Introduction

NETGEAR Dual Band Wireless Adapter (WAB501)
Summary	Dual-band 802.11a/b Atheros 5001X-based CardBus adapter. Superior performance in either mode, with or without WEP enabled.
Update	10/1/02 AdHoc channel selection is available. Corrected review and Con.
Pros	• Excellent 802.11a and b performance • Priced right • No 11a WEP hit / 5% 11b hit
Cons	• Can’t set Xmit rate

Although I should have expected it, the arrival of the first Dual-Band 802.11a/b client adapters sort of caught me by surprise. In the space of a week, SMC announced their SMC2335W and NETGEAR their WAB501.

But since NETGEAR was the first to actually get a card in my hands (and looks like the first to get them into the Retail “channel”), I’m happy to give them my first review of a dual-band adapter.