Netgear Claims First Gigabit Laptop Adapter

Netgear has announced the industry's first Gigabit cardbus Ethernet adapter for notebook computers, catering to the demand for higher speed networks.

From Netgear’s press release:

Netgear, Inc. today announced that it is launching the industry’s first Gigabit Cardbus adapter for notebook computers. Driven by a growing demand in the business and consumer sectors for faster data transfer capabilities, the Netgear GA511 Gigabit PC Card provides speeds up to 10 times faster than Fast Ethernet and 100 times faster than 802.11b wireless.

The GA511, which supplements Netgear’s extensive line of managed and unmanaged Gigabit and Fast Ethernet switches, is designed to quickly and easily connect users to other networked computers, printers, routers, network storage, and the Internet at blazing speeds of up to 1000 Mbps. Fully backward compatible with 10 Mbps and 100 Mbps Ethernet products, the GA511 incorporates Netgear’s Smart Wizard Install Assistant for easy five-click installation and features 10/100/1000 Mbps auto-sensing speeds eliminating any need for manual switching.

”With Gigabit switches becoming increasingly affordable, home and business users are rapidly migrating to the performance-enhancing speeds that Gigabit technology provides,” stated Kartik Gada, Product Line Manager at Netgear. “Until now, Gigabit adapters have only been available for desktop systems. Most workplace environments are migrating to notebook computers for employees, and Gigabit speeds can allow users to transfer huge CAD, Video, or Database files quickly. In the home network, the transfer of full-length movie files is also made quick with Gigabit. Netgear is excited to be the first to enable Gigabit speeds on notebook computers via the GA511 Gigabit PC Card.”

The powerful GA511 Gigabit PC Card is equipped with 10/100/1000 Mbps auto-sensing capability eliminating the need for manual switching. Netgear’s Smart Wizard Install Assistant ensures a fast, easy five-click installation, and its unique Smart Wizard Performance Dashboard allows the user to monitor the actual data transfer speed. The GA511 is fully backward compatible with 10 Mbps and 100 Mbps Ethernet products and supports Windows XP, 2000, ME, 98SE, and NDIS 2.0. The GA511 Gigabit PC Card is backed by a one-year warranty and 24/7 technical support, and is available now via leading retailers, direct marketers, e-commerce sites, and value-added resellers at a retail price of $59.99.