Hardware ReviewsCompex Wireless PC Card, USB Adapter and Wireless Access Point Compex is not exactly a household brand name in networking gear (at least not yet), but that shouldn't stop you from taking a good look at their equipment. For this review, we looked at a Compex wireless PC Card (Model WL11A), a wireless USB adapter (WLU11A) and a wireless access point (WP11A). Overall, we found the Compex gear to be built well with interesting design features, particularly in the super-cool USB adapter, and a great price. (We found the PC Card, USB Adapter and Access Point for $50; $50 and $127, respectively, at buy.com.) The Compex equipment also had some unique features (see the overview of the wireless access point below) and performed at the top among all of the other wireless gear we've tested. On the downside, we had a few hiccups in installation and the instructions were not particularly well-targeted at networking beginners. If that kind of support is important to you, you might want to consider other wireless equipment, such as the recently reviewed Belkin set. On the other hand, if you don't need extensive instructions, have some familiarity with networking and want well-built equipment with top performance and an outstanding price, you should give this Compex gear a very close look. Read on for more. Overview Wireless PC Card --
This PC Card is similar to the other wireless cards we've reviewed.
It's credit-card sized except for the small black antenna that sticks out
one end. The
PC C The Compex package contains the PC Card in a small clear case (makes a nice storage/traveling case), four 16-panel installation sheets (English, German, French and we think Russian), and a single CD. The warranty registration form is on one panel of the installation sheet. The printed installation guide provides only minimal information compared to some other companies' installation guides, but it is adequate. The CD includes driver software (including drivers for Windows 98, ME, 2000 and XP), a configuration utility (similar to other companies' utilities) and a 44-page, electronic installation manual that is quite comprehensive and makes up for much of the missing information on the printed sheet. Wireless USB Adapter --
this device, also credit-card sized, connects to a des Three LEDs on the front provide information on power, data receive and data transmit. The package includes the USB adapter and cable, a 25-page pocket-sized manual (also in 4 languages back to back; 100 pages total) and a CD. The CD includes the driver software (for all of the same Windows versions as the PC Card), the configuration utility software and a 65-page electronic manual. Wireless Access Point --
this device, like other wireless access points (WAPs) we have tested,
allows the wireless portions of a network (for example, a notebook
equipped with the wireless Unlike any other WAP we've tested, this Compex model can be manually set to two other configurations: it can be set as an Internet router (allowing any wireless devices on your network to share Internet access) or as a wireless client (serving as a bridge between different wireless networks). For essentially the same price as other wireless access points, the Internet router feature is a particularly nice "value-added" feature. Well done Compex! The access point is a small device, about the size of a portable CD player. It can be laid flat, but Compex recommends setting it on one edge and includes a small stand to do just that. With the WAP on its side, a black antenna (identical to the one on the PC Card) sticks up about an inch. A series of LEDs on the side provide quite a bit of information, including wireless LAN connection and speed, Ethernet connection and mode (10 or 100Mbps and full or half duplex) and the WAP mode. The access point package includes another installation guide "foldout" brochure (again one each in four languages), an AC adapter and a CD. Compex does not include any of the network cables you'll need to configure or install the WAP. Go To Page 2 - Installation, Performance, Support and Summary
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ard
fits the card
slot available on most notebook computers. The antenna sticks out of the
computer when the
card is inserted and a small
LED flashes to indicate a positive link with another wireless
device. 
ktop
or notebook computer via a standard USB port (usually on the back of a
desktop
computer or side of a notebook).
We have to say this USB adapter is about the slimmest and coolest of any
we've seen. It is so small, the included USB cable has a unique, slim
connector on the end that fits into a very small port on the adapter. A
two-inch black antenna fits flush into the side of the device, but can be
extended straight up for better pick up. 
PC Card) to be connected to the wired portion of a network (for example, a
desktop PC or two connected via wired