Air Live Wi-Fi adapter

January 3, 2005 | By Bob Bowman In Hardware, Wireless Adaptor |

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Considering how expensive wireless networking equipment can be, it comes as something of a surprise that this little USB wireless network adapter costs just US$20. Admittedly it’s not the sturdiest piece of kit you’re likely to happen upon but it is hardy enough to withstand being shoved into a trouser pocket thanks to the removable cap that protects the plug. The pocket-friendly design is ideal because if your laptop isn’t a Centrino model with an integrated wireless network adapter, it’s brilliant for accessing the wi-fi network at your local coffee shop.

Because the Air Live adapter protrudes quite far out of the port, it’s not something you’re going to want to have connected permanently if you’re mobile. Whether you would want to use it at home full time as an inexpensive alternative to a PCI or PCMCIA wireless network card is questionable, though. The signal strength (and therefore, its range) isn’t as impressive as the Netgear cards that we normally use and it does mean that you lose a USB port that could be filled with other peripherals. It will not take kindly to being connected via a USB hub, either, so bear that in mind if you’re particularly short on ports.

Those issues aside, though, the Air Live is easy to use. You’ll need to install the necessary drivers on your PC first, of course, but after that you can connect and disconnect the adapter as you please. In fact, it’s everything you want in an occasional adapter: it’s lightweight, easy to use and should be the second thing you reach for after your biscotti the next time you’re out for a coffee.

Specifications

Dimensions 75 mm x 24mm x 9mm Weight 11g Supports IEEE 802.11b/g (up to 54Mbps)
Security 64/128-bit WEP encryption, WPA Connection USB 2.0 Requires Windows 98SE or above

Comment
The Air Live USB wi-fi key supports WEP encryption to ensure that data being sent through the airwaves on your network is secure. Without encryption, anyone with a wireless network adapter and the know-how can log on to your wireless network without your knowledge, gaining access to any shared files you might have. WEP encryption involves providing your PCs (and yours alone) with a key enabling them to decrypt the data at its destination.

via Products Page from AirLive.com

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