I love these things but I love them when they're free. What happened to all the FAR items that we used to have? Inflation? But, you can't inflate 0!

I second that but we might have to wait for a while.

is this a good router?

#3 - For $8 this is a fantastic router. The range is quite good. Can't be hacked, but the Trendnet OS runs quite nicely and I've only very rarely had to restart the 5 different units I've installed. And despite what Smartdaze will tell you, the rebates are quite reliable and come within an acceptable amount of time - at least the different rebates that I submitted did.

#3 - There are over 200 reviews at Newegg. Those might be helpful. As far as rebates go, I got a trendnet usb adapter with a rebate a few months ago and had no problems with the rebate.

For your consideration: Use the info or ignore it.

This is (at best) average gear. The only thing that makes this special is the rebate. You might not get the rebate. They deny on some pretext, have you re-submit, then wait 2 months to anwswer and terminate your case "because the promotion is over". Won't even accept correspondence. Can't happen to careful you? Happens to whatever percentage they decide will make a profit (ALL Trendnet deals are rebates).

Now two Class-action cases at TX Attorney General (other states?), Trendnet dropped by Circuit City for rebate abuses, etc. etc. Also based on the rebate experience of 61 co-workers and friends, and rebate abuses documented on the net. You'll find plenty of complaints if you search 'Trendnet' on the Anand or F*tW*llet 'Hot Deal' forums, or 'Trendnet rebate' on Google. On rebate report sites, TrendNet has one of the worst records for rebates, usually in bottom-5 (varies by example: http://www.rebatereportcard.com/ , 17 reports), but in general rebate complaints aren't very well organized.

The "Deny rebates as profit" business model is here to stay. There is much better gear out there, and certainly better chances to score a rebate. You don't agree? Love TrendNet? Makes me happy too.

new developments:
1) Both NewEgg and now Amazon are quietly making good on rebates arbitrarily denied by TrendNet. If denied, don't re-submit but send your complaint directly to ... [Truncated]

dd-wrt?

have this, $3 at CompUSA, drops the connection often, especially when FTPing data locally.\
Had more success with a $5 netgear (After firmware upgrades. This netgear had NO updates)