How does this little router match up to its predecessors? Lets find out.

The DG834GT gives you instant connectivity with or without wires, and works with your existing 802.11b devices as well as your new 54 Mbps 802.11g and Super G devices. A built-in ADSL modem furnishes direct, always-on Internet connectivity and multi-user access sharing at speeds up to 140 times faster than dial-up. This powerful router distributes MP3s, digital movies and photos with ultra-fast 10/100 switched LAN ports capable of speeds of 200 Mbps, and shares a single IP address with up to 253 users.

No need for a separate modem – this unit connects directly into your ADSL line. Built-in Port Forwarding settings, Universal Plug and Play (UPnP™) and Virtual Private Network (VPN) pass-through make it simple to play Internet games, send instant messages, and host Internet services. The user interface matches your local language (English, French, German or Italian).The DG834GT supports PCs, Macintosh®, and virtually all Ethernet devices, and comes with a free Ethernet cable for connecting your first computer.

From the Netgear Web Site,

"This 802.11g and Super GTM wireless router adds considerable power and flexibility to your network. Five products in one, it combines an ADSL modem, router, 10/100 LAN switch, 108 Mbps Super G access point and SPI Double Firewall. It gives you untethered continuous connectivity to your network resources and the Internet and allows you to share your broadband access with all of your networked computers wirelessly or with wires using Ethernet cables.

Featuring high-speed 802.11g and Super G wireless capability – up to ten times faster than 802.11b – it allows you to download large files, video conference, and distribute and play high-quality digital movies, byte-hungry photos, and smooth, MP3s and digital movie streams at long range in the blink of an eye.

Simple to use, it plugs directly into your ADSL line. An integrated switch lets you directly connect four computers or any combination of four computers, access points or printers. Setup couldn’t be easier – NETGEAR’s Smart Wizard install assistant and on-screen help guide you through each step.

The Smart Wizard automatically detects and makes the best connection to your ISP while a graphical user interface is available in English, French, German and Italian.

A true Firewall protects your network with business-class security against intruders, including logs and alerts of break-in attempts, while VPN passthrough makes it safe to connect to your business network from home or office.

The contemporary, sleek design of this unit suits your home or office. Future upgrades to firmware can be obtained via the Internet.

Ok, sounds good. Though first a sad story, well kind of. I had my trusty DG824M since July 2003, to replace my DG814. I was planning to upgrade any week now, but then, for no reason, the router died.

Just like that. Luckily, with a 3 year warranty, I feel a little better, and have registered and emailed netgear about this issue.

I bought the latest DG834GT, because I love the way netgear routers look. By far the best looking, most boring part of a PC. Well done netgear for this.

This review is not a big tech review of how well the router does something fancy, but a mini review, to show what u get, does it work, and is it good. Nothing more.

Ok, so first, what do you get.

I was a bit surprised to find the router white in colour. Also the router is very small, and very welcome at that. I did like the appearance of this. Compare that to the older DG824M below. 

 It all comes in a small box with a number of contents.

• Wireless ADSL Firewall Router DG834GT
• Power adapter
• Vertical Stand
• Ethernet cable
• Phone cable
• ADSL phone line filter (most countries)
• Resource CD
• Installation guide
• Warranty/Support information card

For all of you readers who may be confused, and I know I was when first buying this sort of router, there is no need for a separate modem. All parts are built in, and this connects to the internet.

Next, the router.