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Thomson Speedtouch 580
Price: £106 inc VAT

Features
Performance
Ease of use
Value for money
Overall

Reviewed By: Andy Shaw

This review updated: 08/11/2004
Featured in magazine:
Issue 94
Manufacturer Contacts:
Supplier: Thomson
Tel: 0870 870 0464
Web Address: www.speedtouch.co.uk


Anyone with a broadband connection and more than one computer in their home will have thought about a wireless network. But the reality is that it can be complicated to set up. Thomson's latest device promises to cut out the need for networking know-how – a wireless broadband router that can be set up using good old USB.

Features
It's that USB connection that's the revolution here. Most other routers need setting up via a standard Ethernet network connection on the back of the PC – something not all PCs have as standard. This router can use a ubiquitous USB connection port instead.

Also worthy of note is that, like all Thomson routers, high-standard Wi-Fi security is present by default, eliminating worry that random neighbours might be 'borrowing' your bandwidth before you have a chance to lock it down.

Performance
Once you're up and running the device works quickly and efficiently. In our tests it provided good service at the kind of levels you'd expect from 54Mbps wireless, though it doesn't have any of the speed boosting that some of its rivals have squeezed in.

Ease of use
The set-up wizard and that magic USB connection should make this a doddle to put into use. However, we found the installation asked for more than the promised username, password and Wi-Fi security password (handily printed underneath the device) – it also required answers to questions of a more technical nature, such as whether our connection was PPPoA or PPPoE. All standard broadband connections in the UK use PPPoA, so why bother a UK end-user with such technical questions?

Value for money
The price of wireless kit is coming down all the time, and at just a shade over £100 this is good value for the job it does. Once your network is up and running the router works as a standard 54Mbps model – you could expect to pay more if you're looking for devices that can boost the basic speed of your wireless internet connection.

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