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BT Wireless Network 1250
Price: £180

Features
Performance
Ease of use
Value for money
Overall

Reviewed By: Andy Shaw

This review updated: 19/02/2004
Featured in magazine:
Issue 77
Manufacturer Contacts:
Supplier: BT
Web Address: www.bt.com/homenetworking


There's no particular reason why networking devices have to be as ugly as sin, and the unit that sits at the centre of the BT Wireless Network 1250 is no old crone. Compared to the flat grey boxes that come wrapped around most broadband routers, this up-standing beauty could have posed for Michelangelo.

Its looks aren't the only thing to extract it out from the crowd. Unusually, there's only room on the back of the device to plug in a single PC with an Ethernet connection (four is the norm), though there's the extra option of plugging in a PC directly via USB. Naturally, you can also connect devices that have Wi-Fi capability, but only up to the 11Mbps 802.11b standard – not the newer 54Mbps 802.11g. Uniquely, you can also connect other computers to it by plugging them into any phone extensions you may have dotted around your home, though you will need an optional ADSL filter (costing around £6) and a special adapter (£50).

Setting up is very easy, with excellently presented information that will guide you through any of the potential setup options you may be thinking of. Wireless security is enabled by default, which is so sensible it amazes us that we haven't seen this on any rival routers.

The downside to all this is the price – it's significantly more expensive than any of its competitors and, because it's only available through BT, you won't find any discounting at online retailers.

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