Whether you're at your desk or in the boardroom, the Linksys Instant Wireless PCI Adapter (with the Linksys Instant Wireless Network PC Card inserted) allows you to share printers, files, and more within your wireless LAN infrastructure, increasing your productivity and keeping you on the network.The Instant Wireless PCI Adapter gives you the freedom to work your way, from wherever you want. Just plug the Network PC Card into the PCI Adapter and you can take full advantage of a wireless network. A high-powered built-in Diversity antenna means that you're covered - at distances of up to 500 meters. Ready to run in any PCI-equipped desktop PC and compatible with virtually all major operating systems, the Instant Wireless PCI Adapter from Linksys is truly a "must-have" for all PC users.

For those wanting to install the Linksys Wireless Network Card in a desk top PC, the Wireless-B PCI Adapter is the "PC card reader" necessary. This adapt er is only used with Linksys wireless cards.

The unit, when combined with the wireless card, offers the same networking power as a wired network with the ability to roam and the luxury of not running cables. The unit is of a standard size, and it even has handy "R" and "L" reference points on the network card tracks to make sure you place the card properly in your machine.

Installing the unit is straightforward: plug your wireless network card into the adapter's slot, open up your computer, place the adapter into an open PCI slot on the motherboard, secure (with a mounting screw that is not included), and power up. The computer recognizes the new hardware, and with the installation of drivers from both the Linksys CD and your Windows CD, the installation is complete. The card is not hot-swappable, so if you ever want to remove the card and replace it, be sure to do this while the machine is off.

The adapter itself needs no configuration as it serves only as a home for the wireless card. The accompanying paperwork provides clear instructions for the installation of the adapter, and includes the toll-free number for technical support should you run into difficulties. Adapter users should be aware, however, that both the Linksys customer support and the Web site will only help make sure that your hardware is properly in place: neither resource will guide you in configuring your network. In fact, technical support will refer you to another Web site. However, for those constructing a small office/home office network, the wireless route can be a painless way to sharing resources without having to worry about stringing cables.--Emily Dirks

Pros:

• Easy installation with plug-and-play operation

Potential Cons:

• Only works with the Linksys Wireless PC Card
• Customer support of little help

Whether you're at your desk or in the boardroom, the Linksys Instant Wireless PCI adapter (with the Linksys Instant Wireless network PC Card inserted) allows you to share printers, files, and more within your wireless LAN infrastructure, increasing your productivity and keeping you on the network.

The Instant Wireless PCI adapter gives you the freedom to work your way, from wherever you want. Just plug the network PC Card into the PCI adapter and you can take full advantage of a wireless network. A high-powered built-in Diversity antenna means that you're covered at distances of up to 150 meters (492 feet) inside and 500 meters (1,640 feet) outside.

The Instant Wireless PCI adapter operates in any PCI-equipped desktop PC and is compatible with virtually all major operating systems.

Note that you need a Linksys Instant Wireless network PC Card to use this product.