TRENDnet TEW-429UB WiFi detector / adapter

Hard to imagine that there are still some laptops (and devices) out there that don't have WiFi, but if you're gonna do it, do it up right we says: the TRENDnet TEW-429UB may look like a mere flash drive, but it's actually an LCD-display equipped hotspot wayfinder. What's more, pop that top and you've got yourself an 802.11b/g USB adapter. But what we really like is that the internal Li-Ion battery that powers it as a WiFi detector recharges when it's plugged in to your machine. Well, that and the fact that it's only going to go for $80 US. Almost enough to make you want to buy a laptop without WiFi, innit?

[pnarse @ Dec 19th 2005 1:02AM]

I gotta say that thing is lookin pretty damn cool!

[strider_mt2k @ Dec 19th 2005 1:02AM]

Or just want one for geeky fun!

[Tom @ Dec 19th 2005 1:02AM]

The wifi finder was a great addition to it. WHile all newer laptops have built in wifi if your laptop is a yr or two old it may not. I think this is a product that incorporates a very useful feature that people will actually use!

[Blue Balloon @ Dec 19th 2005 1:02AM]

Thought it's very clever to use as USB than rather card. Plus LCD for status which is freak-awesome.

[D @ Dec 19th 2005 1:02AM]

Or you can create your own temporary wifi router with 2 interfaces.

[Bill @ Dec 19th 2005 1:02AM]

poop

[matt t @ Dec 19th 2005 1:02AM]

it might be a good product but trendnet makes the buggiest software...ever

[Chris Kalan @ Dec 19th 2005 1:02AM]

I'm surprised they haven't built detectors into laptops. Or have they?

LOL, yes this is a joke...

[Eli @ Dec 19th 2005 1:02AM]

Yeah most stuff has wifi built in, but it tends to suck. I know a few people who use external cards because they get better reception and/or have better drivers.

[gorkon @ Dec 19th 2005 1:02AM]

I wonder if you can aggregate WiFi connections so you have a 20 megabit connection with 2 cards?

[Chris @ Dec 19th 2005 1:02AM]

This seems more worthwhile as a WiFi card for a PC than a laptop since most laptops already have WiFi.

I woulda loved to get this thing instead of taking out one of my PCI cards when i needed WiFi for my PC

[Chris @ Dec 19th 2005 1:02AM]

This seems more worthwhile as a WiFi card for a PC than a laptop since most laptops already have WiFi.

I woulda loved to get this thing instead of taking out one of my PCI cards when i needed WiFi for my PC

[splitime @ Dec 19th 2005 1:02AM]

Just bought the unit from www.buy.com for 50bucks (not the 80msrp) works great so far. Doesn't detect routers that don't broadcast their ssid... but other than that its working perfectly, nice to just roam a street and detect... then get laptop out.