This is how wireless networking is supposed to be. Belkin's Wireless G adapter converts just about any networkable piece of IT equipment to a similar piece, but working wirelessly via 802.11g.

This small box of tricks, about half the size of a typical four-port wireless router, has just two connections; a power connection for the separate power supply and a network connector. On the front are three small indicators, for power, network and wireless.

Plug the supplied network cable from device to Belkin box and you're away. It really is that simple, though it's worth taking the following approach. First, connect whatever piece of equipment you want to use with the Wireless G adapter via a normal network cable. The kit doesn't have to be in its final location, as long as you can connect it to your hub, switch or router.

Get the network connection working: for a printer, make sure you can print to it across the network, and for a PC or games console, make sure you can see other PCs or consoles on the network and look at their files. Belkin specifically mentions both Xbox and Playstation 2 as games consoles suitable for setting up wirelessly with this adapter.

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Once all this is working, disconnect the network cable, position the printer, PC or console where you want it to live and connect the Wireless G adapter in place of the network cable. We tried it with a colour laser printer and with a PC and both worked immediately. With Windows XP you don't have to run any drivers or other special software for the Belkin kit.

We used the Wireless G adapter effectively over a range of 10 metres at respectable data rates, though not up to the theoretical maximum of 54Mbps for 802.11g standard wireless.

There's just one proviso to recommending Belkin's Wireless G adapter and that's to do with horses for courses. If you want to add wireless networking to a laptop, you'd be better off using a PC Card or USB 2 wireless adapter. These will probably work out cheaper and won't need the separate power supply and mains socket that this unit needs. Also, if you're not worried about opening up your PC and fitting an expansion card, that route can prove cheaper for a desktop.

But for sealed devices, particularly printers, a Wireless G adapter like this makes a lot of sense and removes all the work of installing and maintaining cabling to what may be inaccessible places in your house or office.

For devices that don't lend themselves to USB or expansion slot wireless cards, especially network printers and games consoles, the Belkin adapter is an ideal solution. It really is plug and go, as long as you have your wireless router already set up and working with the equipment you want to convert from cabled to wireless connection.