Home Tech Review: Setting Up the Cisco Valet… How Simple is It?

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Cisco recently released a new family of Valet routers. The new routers are stylish and, more importantly, they offer easy setup via their “Easy Setup Key” and Cisco Connect software”. The Valet has an MSRP of $99.99, the Valet Plus an MSRP of $149.99 and the Valet Connector, a wireless adapter, has an MSRP of $69.99.

Cisco sent on of the Valet routers for review and I decided to see just how easy it is to set up. How did I do that? I gave the unit to my college-age neighbor Chase. Chase knows almost nothing about computers so I figured he would be the perfect victim uhm… assistant for this experiment. Let’s see how Chase did.

From Cisco-

Get Connected- Create a wireless hotspot in your home and quickly connect your laptops, desktops, game consoles, and mobile devices to the Internet. Treat your family to an Internet experience that simplifies your life.

Set Up in Minutes- Simply insert Valet’s included Easy Setup Key to launch Cisco Connect software, breeze through the simple screens, and you’re wireless.

You’re the Boss- Parental controls allow you to limit your kids’ time online, block specific sites and/or certain times of the day. Customize the settings on each computer for a safer Internet experience.

Instant Guest Access- Give friends and visitors password access to the Internet but not your private information.

In the box is Valet wireless hotspot, the Easy Setup Key, an ethernet cable, a quick reference guide, and an Energy Star power adapter. That’s it. The router offers Wireless-N speeds but the real selling point is the setup. Here’s Chase… and his buddy Brandon in action.

The router works well, set up was easy so long as the cords were run in the right direction and the router was actually plugged in (ahhh Chase…). If you aren’t using an Apple Airport this is, in my opinion, the way to go for most homeowners.

The Cisco Valet is available directly from Cisco’s Valet website.

MSRP: $99.99

What I Like: Easier setup than most routers; good range; low profile; useful built-in setup and management software

What Needs Improvement: It is easier than most routers but still a project for those unfamiliar with wireless setups

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About the Author

Dan Cohen
Having a father who was heavily involved in early laser and fiber-optical research, Dan grew up surrounded by technology and gadgets. Dan’s father brought home one of the very first video games when he was young and Dan remembers seeing a “pre-release” touchtone phone. (When he asked his father what the “#” and “*” buttons were his dad said, “Some day, far in the future, we’ll have some use for them.”) Technology seemed to be in Dan’s blood but at some point he took a different path and ended up in the clergy. His passion for technology and gadgets never left him. Dan is married to Raina Goldberg who is also an avid user of Apple products. They live in New Jersey with their golden doodle Nava.

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