abit AirPace WiFi PCI-E Card

Date: July 17, 2007 - Author: Greg King

abit is well known for their graphic cards and motherboards, especially to the enthusiast crowd. However, network cards was a new one on us, but that changed now that we've taken a look at their reliable PCI-E WiFi card. The best part : It's currently available for $6 after MIR at one popular e-tailer.

Introduction

If you can work through the inevitable headaches that more often than not come with wireless networking, the results can be quite rewarding. The single most valuable feature of any wireless network is, well, being wireless. The ability to roam your home completely independent from the standard assortment of necessary cables is an awesome feeling. A good and secure wireless network gives the user a freedom unobtainable on a wired network.

It's difficult to go anywhere anymore without seeing a Wi-Fi sign. Most college campuses, airports, Starbucks and public libraries all offer this convenience, some for a small fee, and others completely free.

In the networking world, there are a few tried and true companies. A brief jog of the memory brings to mind names like Linksys, Cisco (which owns Linksys), Netgear and D-Link. We have even reviewed a few D-Link products recently in the DIR-655 N Router and the DNS-323 NAS. One company that doesn't come to mind when the topic of wireless networking comes up is abit.

We were excited when abit shipped us their AirPace Wi-Fi PCI-E card along with their latest IP-35 Pro P35 based motherboard. While the board is still on the bench, we are taking a look at this interesting wireless adapter that just so happens to be the first to use the PCI-Express bus.

The AirPace is packaged in small box with specs adorning all sides.

On the back, there are a few diagrams explaining the different uses that one can get out of the AirPace card. Not only does this card allow the host PC to connect to the network wirelessly, but can also share a wired connection wirelessly when used in AP (Access Point) mode.

Once opened, the interior is compartmentalized to keep each piece separate.

Included in the bundle is a driver disk containing abit's SoftAP software, the card and antennae, a PCI bracket should the AirPace is to be used in a small form factor case as well as a small manual to help you get up and running.

Getting to the card itself, it's certainly not any larger than it absolutely has to be. The PCB is just as long as the PCI-Express x1 connectors needed to install it in the appropriate slot. While it comes ready to go in a x1 slot, there isn't anything stopping anyone from using this card in a x4 or an x16 slot as well. Sticking out of the back of the PCI bracket is where the antennae is connected and directly to the right is a small green LED to signify signal and activity. That's all there is to it. It's a very simple device that serves a simple purpose.

Before we get into the software and conclusions, let's take a look at the specs of the AirPace Wi-Fi.

Let's install some software and give the Wi-Fi card a test.

Software, Testing, Final Thoughts

With the card installed in our motherboards x4 PCI-Express slot, Windows XP instantly picked it up and began scanning for local wireless networks. If it works right out of the box, why do we even need to install the included software? Technically you don't have to. You can easily install it and be about your way but should you need the extras features that the SoftAP software makes doing easy, then you're going to want to get the disk out and install the software.

When the disk is first put into the computer, AutoPlay will present you with this charming little guy. Simply click the "Install Driver" button and be about your business. What an awesome shirt.

The entire installation process is pretty much a "next" clicking party. The only snag that came up was the Windows warning, alerting us that the driver is not digitally signed from Microsoft. This happens not only for the software, but the AirPace driver itself. This isn't a big deal and you can click continue through both warnings.

Once installed, there will be a little icon placed on your desktop. When you first open up the SoftAP program, you are asked to pick your country. This isn't a big deal either. Scroll down and choose your county and click OK.

The next few screens are only to show you what options are available. Outside of status indications, the ability to enable/disable power saving options and switch between wireless receiver and access point, there aren't many options to choose from. The one item that we are going to focus on is the access point capabilities of the AirPace.

What this means is this. Say you have a PC that is on a wire network. You are satisfied with your current setup but would like to add the ability to connect wirelessly should the desire ever come across you. You already have a network in place and you don't really want to purchase an entirely new router.

This is where an access point comes in. With the AirPace, you have the ability to still remain connected to your router via the Ethernet cable you are currently using, but also set the AP up to broadcast wireless signals as well. It's a pretty simple concept and quite simple to implement.

There really wasn't a whole lot to testing the AirPace out. We installed it, setup the software and began browsing. Our first step was to hop online and play a few rounds of Counter Strike: Source. CS:S is easily my favorite multiplayer game but unfortunately my enthusiasm to play isn't even close to my ability to actually contribute in team matches. Throughout our session, never once did we experience a dip in performance.

In AP mode, the range of the AirPace wasn't bad… but it wasn't spectacular either. It simply worked. As we moved in and around the building, our connection speeds would fluctuate and sometimes drop altogether. My recommendation on the AP front is that it will work well in a small environment but anything more and you might want to look at a more powerful unit.

The AirPace is an easy, no hassle piece of hardware that is perfect for anyone looking to extend their wireless range or simple get their desktop PC onto an existing wireless network. To make it even better, you don't -have- to even install the software. Like we said earlier, Windows XP recognized the device instantly and before we could get the disk in the tray, our PC had located our internal wireless network.

There really isn't much more that we can say about this device. It's not ground breaking, but it does exactly what it says it will and it does that perfectly. To add to the appeal of the AirPace, it can be found online for $5.99 (US) at Newegg.com. This is after a $20.00 mail in rebate but even if you don't send in the rebate, $26 dollars isn't that hard of a pill to swallow.

With pricing like what we are seeing now, it appears that abit is practically giving the AirPace away. It wouldn't surprise me to see abit steal a page out of Asus' playbook and start bundling the AirPace card with select motherboards. It may or may not happen, but it's not outside the realm of believable ideas. The bottom line is that the abit AirPace delivers as advertised and paired with an unbelievable price, the abit AirPace W-Fi card earns a 9 out of 10 with an editor's choice award thanks to its terrific price.

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