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The NetBlaster II line of products is a quality lineup representing a strong value for the consumer. I’m particularly impressed with SOHOware’s dedication to differentiating themselves from the market with detailed documentation and some product specific design decisions (such as the external antennae for the PCI card). With these points in mind, and with strong pricing, the NetBlaster is a solid choice for anyone moving into the wireless world.

We were also quite pleased to find that the total throughput for continuous file transfers was quite impressive, which puts to rest concerns for overhead traffic. The biggest set back right now for wireless networking is price. Looking at the chart below, you can see that setting up a wireless network would cost more than a true Ethernet network using higher end components (such as those from Intel or 3Com).

NetBlaster II Access Point - $249.99MSRP ($199 street)
NetBlaster II PCI Card $199.99 ($159 street)
NetBlaster II PC Card $149.99 ($129 street)

This means that an entirely wireless network is an expensive prospect that most of you will want to avoid. Nevertheless, a bridged Wireless and Ethernet network could become an important productivity asset for your home or small office.

Compared to other wireless networking products, the SOHOware is priced near other competitors which typically populate the consumer market; Netgear, SMC, D-Link and Linksys have similarly priced products. Doing a quick search on the net though, I found that the SOHOware products typically floated near the mid-upper end of the price pack in that range. Which puts them at a slight disadvantage, considering the steep importance of price in early technology adaptation.

Overall Score: 83%