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Netgear RP614 router for Mac use

Customer Rating:
I have a Mac; while it is correct that the Netgear RP614 comes only with PC-based documentation, it will work just with a Mac if you know how to set everything up (or, in my case, know somebody who knows and is willing to help). One bit of advice, though: if you are using this router with a Mac, do NOT try running the Setup Wizard; it get confused and will mess up your settings. In my case, Setup Wizard went into an endless loop attempt and I had to exit the built-in router page. Then none of my previously working web sites would load; turns out that the confused Setup Wizard ended up turning on all of the day/time access block controls. Once I figured this out it was easy enough to turn them all off, but a weird effect.

So far the router's working okay (it has been in use for about a week). Hard to believe that these Amazon.com ratings are for the same device; they seem to be mostly either five stars or one star. I'll go with two stars, mainly because of the unsatisfactory treatment I got from Netgear when I tried to register my purchase. No follow-up e-mail with a log-in password ever showed up, and the log-in e-mail was not in my spam folder, either. When I tried to re-register the Netgear site wouldn't let me use my home e-mail, saying it was taken. When I tried to register using my work e-mail, it wouldn't let me complete the process saying that the serial number I provided was already taken. So I never was able to log into my Netgear registration account, to confirm my data. Trying to call Netgear was an exercise in frustration, and yes, it's true that they won't talk to you if you won't first provide a credit card number for them to charge. So I would give Netgear an "F" for its customer service. But so far the RP614 appears to be doing what a router should, even though I have a Mac.

A very good product

Customer Rating:
This is an excellent product, easy to setup and at a very good price. I originally bought it for its security features: NAT plus SPI. About as good as you can get at keeping malware out short of never connecting to the internet. Since buying it, I've added another computer. Just plug one end of the cable into the router's port 2 and the other end into the computer's ethernet port and you are running. The initial setup apparently configures all four ports. It isn't wireless so your other computer(s) need to be close but the 15 foot cable works fine.

NETGEAR and service

Customer Rating:
I have shopped many different on line organizations, auctions and such but have never encountered the level of service and quality that I have experienced not only with Amazon but also their sub-vendor as well. If amazon has it or can get it. I will definitely get it from AMAZON!!!

BUYER BEWARE!

Customer Rating:
I purchased this router 7 months ago. After 6 months with no problems, the unit suddenly stopped working. A call to Netgear produced unsatisfactory results. Technical Support will NOT talk to you unless you pay a premium. With only six months elapsed on a 3 year warranty (I notice that now Netgear only offers a 2 year warranty - interesting) I was not happy. I did not want to spend any more money so I tried the online support. After back and forth for a week, Netgear finally issued an RMA number so I could ship the defective unit back (at my expense). The only acceptable service in this whole mess was the turnaround time. I mailed it (priority) on Jan 8th and received the replacement Jan 15th. The router worked 1 whole day and died Jan 16th. "As a courtesy" customer service decided to talk to me after verifying that I had just received the new (defective) router. That phone call turned into 3 as I was cut off twice and had to keep calling back (too bad they couldn't call me back since they have my phone number-that would have been much better customer service). Each time I had to repeat my story (always write down your Case ID # so they can find you) so I ended up speaking with 3 different technicians who each had me do something different (which is my complaint with the online support - different people, something else to try [all of which I had done prior to calling]). The last technician referred me to a supervisor who assured me another replacement would be sent out promptly. She said I could throw the bad unit away. 15 minutes later she called back asking for my credit card information to "authenticate" me. I refused stating that she had confirmed all my info prior to hanging up. She refused to let me speak to someone with more authority, telling me my repalcement couldn't be processed without a credit card, although she assured me I would not be charged for a new unit or shipping. So why do they need my credit card? Customer service has not called me but I did get an email from them issuing another RMA. I am furious as I will NOT ship their defective product back to them (particularly since the supervisor told me I did not have to and could toss it) nor will I give them a credit card (which I am guessing goes to people in a foreign country based on their hard to understand accents). Netgear has lost another customer, my computer is unprotected at the moment but before I unplug my ethernet cable, I will file a complaint with the Better Business Bureau.

If You Have An iMac, Don't Even THINK About Buying One Of These

Customer Rating:
This product comes with a CD called "Resource CD Version 3.3". The following words are printed on the CD package...."Setup for Apple Mac and Linux Users" and then "Insert the CD, open index.htm and chose your language. Click Mac Installation Guide for Mac users and Setup Manual for all others."

However THERE IS NO MAC INSTALLATION GUIDE. I called Netgear Technical Support and was told that I had to download a firmware update from the Netgear website and then download it to the router. I looked at the page....

[...]

The Netgear Technical Support person refused to answer my question as to why the information printed on the Resource CD packaging was incorrect. The Netgear Technical Support person also seemed to have no idea what an iMac was, or that an iMac does not have a Microsoft Operating System. After looking at the Firmware Update page, I tried calling Netgear Technical Support again to ask some questions about the Firmware Update process, but I got tired of waiting after around ten minutes.

I hung up, and printed out the Amazon return labels. This is the first time that I have ever returned anything to Amazon and the last time that I am buying a Netgear product.