Hercules Wireless Router

Previously best known for its range of graphics cards, which it ceased producing back in February 2004, Hercules has made its first venture into wireless networking.

In an attempt to differentiate itself from more established brands, such as Netgear, D-Link and Linksys, Hercules has opted for a user-friendly approach aimed at enticing newcomers to Wi-Fi.

Although it looks rather cumbersome, and the light blue colour scheme might not suit all tastes, the Wireless Router benefits from a simple design. This is reinforced by the software; thanks to the clear and informative set-up process, installation is a breeze.

Diagrams of sample configurations are included along with easy-to-follow instructions. Disappointingly, you're not prompted to set up wireless security as standard, but the instructions detail how to enable either WEP or WPA encryption. It does come with a built-in firewall, however.

The Wireless Router comes complete with a built-in ADSL modem and houses all the features we expect from an ADSL router, including four network ports.

To keep things simple, Hercules has decided against entering the world of enhanced speed and coverage, such as Super G or MIMO (multiple input, multiple output) routers. Instead, this router relies on standard 802.11g Wi-Fi, which is all most home users actually require.

As with all 802.11g networks, the 54Mbit/s claim should be taken with a pinch of salt; you're unlikely to achieve much more than 20Mbits/sec. Unless you're planning to shift large amounts of data between your PCs, it's not something to worry about and the device will definitely be good enough for sharing a high-speed broadband internet connection or playing multiplayer games over a network.

If you need to add wireless functionality to any of the PCs on your network, Hercules offers wireless adapters in the form of a PC Card, PCI card or USB stick, all priced at £25.

Aside from its oversized and rather unattractive design, along with the fact that you have to use an ungainly UK plug adapter (included in the package), we can't deny that we were impressed with the sheer simplicity of the Hercules Wireless Router.

If you want to set up a wireless network with the minimum of fuss, and aren't bothered about increased coverage or speed, it's one of the best money can buy.