Compact Review - USB2 Wireless Adapter

The Adapter comes in a nice box with a small extension cable wich keeps the shape you bend it to. There is the software CD wich works with the mayor windows versions. Didn't try this on Vista.

I was expecting much from 3com and somehow this got me disappointed.

Using windows XP I usually don't resort to proprietary software for configuring the networks. Windows usually uses the Zero Wireless Configuration and it works most of the times.... Not with this adapter tought. Using the Zero Config the network speed was falling back to 11 or even 5,5 Mbps! That's ridicolous since my wireless router is 7 meters from the Pc!

Instead using the 3Com driver the speed was back to full 54Mpbs BUT there where frequent disconnects. There are battery saving options unfortunately those are accessible only using the 3com control program.

Then I tried it on NetStumbler and got a surprisingly good signal ratio around -55db. The result is in line with my other USB - Wireless adapters. This might imply that the malfunction is due to the driver. A problem is that in order to download the driver you have to register with the 3com site!