Wall Plugged Ethernet Adapters, does anybody use them?

[Parm]

Here's the scenario...

My brother has just bought himself a new iMac which is in the study downstairs. My PC is in my bedroom upstairs connected to a router. Unfortunately, the built in Airport wireless thing in the iMac isn't too good and the wireless connection speed is poor.

As a work around, I'm thinking about getting some Netgear Wall Plugged Ethernet Adapters (HDXB101). Has anybody tried these or other similar Wall Plugged adapters? Are they as good as they make out? They seem like a perfect sollution, albeit a little pricey.

If these aren't any good, can anybody offer an alternate sollution to get the iMac online with a good connection?

[jamin]

Have you tried repositioning the router or mac? Sometimes moving one or t'other 10cm or so can make a difference. If the router / mac will take an external antenna had you thought about getting a new antenna with a higher gain?

Is it too far or awkward to run some cat5? as this would be my first choice mate. Its cheap compared to the netgear solution.

I have heard mixed reports about the mains adapters, from what I have read the quality of connection is normally very good. But there have been cases where users have a very old electrical installation or a dirty incoming mains supply and the conection has been flaky for them.

[Parm]

I have tried repositioning the router and the mac but it doesn't seem to help. The iMac's built in wireless must not be very good as the PC we had in the study previously had a wireless antenna and worked like a charm. I'm sure there are better antennas available for the iMac, I'm gonna have to take a look into it. I have little to no experience with Macs so I really don't know.

I also have my Xbox 360 downstairs, that's connected wirelessly and works perfectly.

The cat5 unfortunately isn't an option, it's a fairly new house and I'd rather have no internet rather than running cables around everywhere.

Regarding the mains adapters, with this being a fairly new house (almost 2 years old), the electrical installation should be good and therefore hopefully the mains adapters would work well.

[jamin]

If its quite a new house then the adapters should work fine, somewhat pricey for what they do though!! Understand not wanting cables run round the house though!

Macs, the dark side of the the force! Be afraid, be very afraid!!! lol

[Parm]

They are a bit pricey, but fortunately my brother will be paying.

As for the iMac, I've been using it a bit and it's very nice for what it is, the presentation and design is very good and it doesn't take long to get used to it at all. However I definately prefer my PC (it's almost 4 years old too!).

[b0redom]

I hope you have not bought them. They are awful. I had to RMA 2 sets. Avoid them. That being said, my friend has some of the older homeplug ones, and if you're just using them for normal Internet access they're probably the ones to go for.

Do not expect massive throughput though, mine peaked at about 500kbps and toughed at 20kbps. Try streaming HD video over that!!!!

Tom

[Kumagoro]

I would save a bit of money and get the 85 Mbps ones. do you really need
200 Mbps? OK they dont hit those speed but I think the 85s are supposed to be
around 15-25 Mbps.

http://solwise.com/net-powerline-pl-85pe.htm £38 each isnt too bad.