05-11-2004, 11:37 PM
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Executive Editor
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 29,160
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Microsoft Abandons WiFi Hardware Effort
"Despite quickly becoming one of the leading sellers of wireless networking products, Microsoft has decided to discontinue its entire line of Wi-Fi gear, CNET News.com has learned. A source close to the company said Microsoft entered the Wi-Fi field with hopes of "raising the bar" on security, ease-of-use and performance and now feels it has accomplished those goals. Microsoft confirmed the move late Monday.
"After careful evaluation, the Microsoft hardware group has decided to scale back its broadband hardware and networking business," a representative said. "Instead, the plan is to apply the knowledge we have gained in that category to future products and services." The move is a dramatic turnaround, considering the company just introduced a USB version of its 802.11g product in February and has only been in the market since September 2002. The company had quickly gained market share in the wireless networking market but lost some ground when it was slower than rivals in introducing 802.11g products."
Oh no! 8O I really liked Microsoft's networking hardware, especially their router/access points - the software setup was painless, the instructions were clear, and the products worked quite well. In fact, I was able to abandon the idea of a second access point for reaching the top floor of my home when I switched from a D-Link AP to the Microsoft MN-500. My MN-700 has been a little flaky but overall quite good. I wonder why Microsoft is dropping out? Could it be a concession to other WiFi vendors in order to get them to cooperate with Microsoft initiatives? That's a big sacrifice if so...
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05-12-2004, 03:36 AM
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Pupil
Join Date: Mar 2004
Posts: 36
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I agree this is a great pity. I am extremely satisfied with my MN-700, both hardware and software.
I guess mice and keyboards are the only pieces of hardware that have ever really held MS's attention.
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05-12-2004, 04:32 AM
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Ponderer
Join Date: Oct 2002
Posts: 60
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Bummer, I've had both an MN 100, and now a MN 700 and both work great...I hope they will still release firmware updates for a while ?
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05-12-2004, 05:19 AM
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Pupil
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 11
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I hope they release a firmware update (before they drop complete support), that fixes the Cisco VPN disconnect problem.
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05-12-2004, 06:41 AM
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Pupil
Join Date: Jun 2002
Posts: 14
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Yeah it's such a pity. I have just switched all my networking gear to Microsoft brand including the wireless B router, an USB wireless G adapter, and a notebook wireless B adapter. Just days ago I convinced my friend who is setting up his wireless home network to purchase Microsoft brand.
I used to use SMC wireless networking gears but the connection is always flaky. The adapters will suddenly stop transmitting for a few seconds and that usually wreck my online games. The wireless router itself will sometime mysteriously lose all signal strength for half a minute or so. After I switched everything to Microsoft the issues have disappeared.
I wonder if I should go out there and grab the Microsoft wireless G router before it completely disappear from the shelves.
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05-12-2004, 01:24 PM
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Pontificator
Join Date: Aug 2003
Posts: 1,185
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I just bought an MN-500 and (aside from the firmware being about 6 months out of date), I love it. I even give MSFT credit for the hardware design. That said, I was sad to hear this news until I thought about the fact that my router has firmware that's pretty old compared to the product's life to date. So, my guess is that if a retailer is sitting on stock that's over 6 months old, MSFT must be having a real problem getting these things to move, relative to their business plan. This, of course, assumes that MSFT's manufacturer would flash the latest firmware release on all newly manufactured units. Inventory sitting for 6 months is likely to drive any reseller nuts.
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05-12-2004, 04:42 PM
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Intellectual
Join Date: Jun 2004
Posts: 164
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I have to agree with the general concensus; I originally used a SpeedStream router\wireless gateway that eventually dropped dead. On my way to Best Buy to pick up a replacement, I stopped off for some household stuff at Target. I saw the MN-700 for $69 and was impressed by the feature set it listed and the boasted ease of use. I bought it, set it up, and forgot about it ever since; it has worked for me that well.
Sometimes, the best hardware or products in general, are the ones that you don't have to think about all the time.
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05-12-2004, 05:20 PM
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Oracle
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 974
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That does suck! they get something right and then pulg the plug - :cry:
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05-12-2004, 07:50 PM
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Thinker
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 412
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...unless you were an early adopter...
I bought on of the first wireless routers. The MS newgroups were filled with complaints of losing IPs, which happened to me.
Both the retailer I bought it from and MS said the woraround was to reboot the ap. I had to do it about every 20 mintues. I found that unacceptable.
So I finally got the retailer to refund my money, but not until I made several calls to MS and FS. MS said there would be no replacement as it worked if you rebooted it every 20 minutes.
So I no longer buy MS hardware.
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05-12-2004, 10:36 PM
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Pupil
Join Date: Nov 2003
Posts: 15
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I have two of Microsoft's routers (wired and wireless), and they're awesome. Easy to set up and connect to. This is too bad. :cry:
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