Speed boosting or turbo modes are very brand dependent.  If you are going to spend extra money on something supporting a turbo mode you need to make sure everything is the same brand (and capable of supporting that turbo mode).

THat said, if you're not going to be sharing files and are only going to share internet access, stick with the much cheaper 802.11b stuff

As someone else noted, the "speedboost" routers and cards are brand-dependent. Essentially, the extra speed is a proprietary implementation needing matching routers/cards.

Some reviews have also noted that the effective speedboost isn't always quite what may be expected, even when the needed matching hardware is used.

I would concentrate rather on the "compatibility" of WEP encryption for "non-boosted" hardware. For example, the Dell 1350 wireless card and the regular non-boosted Linksys WRT54G router both use Broadcom radios. I have found that both WEP and WPA encryption work perfectly between the two. Security of data, and compatibility of the encryption options, I think outweigh the fragmented niche-type parts needed for "boosted" connections.

Also, I would not count on the wireless cards needed for future "boosted" connections being the same as those used today. That is, you might be able to get a matching wireless router and cards today, but when you want to add a couple of PCs a few years from now the proprietary cards may not be available.

I just bought the Linksys WRT54GS and have the Dell 1300 wireless Lan card.  It doesn't work!  I have tried everything but to no avail.

At a rental property we own, I have the WRT54G and it didn't result in any problems.

Well, if you tried everything, I guess there's nothing left to try.  But, just in case, did you try disabling the speedboost technology on the router.  It will not work with the Dell wireless card anyway, so there is no reason to have it enabled.

Thanks.  I think I will just return it and get the non speed boost since you say it won't work anyway.

Just to make sure that this is the problem, did you really try disabling the speedboost feature on the router?

Steve

No.  I just blindly trusted your authoritative style.