Home > Consumer Reviews > Linksys WRT51AB Dual-Band Wireless A+B Access Point + Router with 4-Port 10/100 Switch

The Linksys WRT51AB does not deliver at all. Using the 802.11A radio, we've experienced nothing but lockups. The router locks up which then locks up the computers attached to the point the keyboard and mouse do not respond. With the cards set for ad-hoc and the router unplugged, the network runs fine. Three months of constant contact with Tech Support has netted us repeated canned responses that do not resolve the issue. Please, do not buy this product. I am a certified network engineer with 12 years experience. I tried more possible solutions than Linksys script monkeys can offer.

This thing crashes and reboots every 10-15 minutes. In case you are thinking you'll just upgrade the firmware, LinkSys has not provided a firmware update to date. I've been working with computers and networking equipment for more than 25 years and never seen anything this bad. DO NOT BUY THIS ROUTER!!!

Do you want to spend 3 hours on the phone with India tech support restarting your computer, upgrading firmware levels, cycling your DSL modem and being fed useless platitudes?

I did - and eventually decided to return this garbage and go with a different brand.

I have a new IBM Centrino XP Pro laptop. When I connected to the router through wireline I could get an internet connection, but as soon as I enabled wireless on the router, my whole network was put out of action. Linksys insisted I must have a problem with the laptop, but it works fine when I connect to T-Mobile at Starbucks. Reading some of the other product reviews it is clear to me that Linksys has some serious problems with their wireless products.

Shame, I bought my first Linksys product back in 1999, and I used to love the brand.

I've been using the WRT51AB for 1.5yrs and love it. I have a Thinkpad that has A/B and get great range from my 802.11a connection. The 802.11b connection is comparable to their other Linksys router.

I've considered upgrading but will keep it since the 802.11a works for me.

I was looking to buy a wireless B 802.11b but since this model was sold with the same price so I bought it. I set up with two wired on my two PCs and one wireless on my laptop. There was no problem with the installation and set up as I followed the instruction on the user guide. I had a little problem with set up WEP though but after playing for a while, I had it working perfectly. The only thing I am not happy is I have a fair signal when using 802.11a mode sometime but I am happy that I have a choice to switch between two modes.