I travel with the dlink pocket AP and use it in a couple of different ways. In hotels with wired access I make it wireless just because I like it that way and so I can connect my laptop and my iPaq (I use Skype on the iPaq with a BT headset). I always secure the connection and block the SSID broadcast fwiw (not much if you are using WEP)..

The dlink pocket AP is a great product, versatile and performs better than many full size units in my experience.

When there is no free Internet access I use the Verizon EVDO service and I configure ICS on that connection with the laptop WiFi in ad-hoc mode if I am just using it myself to connect the iPaq or I use the Dlink AP to offer Internet acess through the EVDO connection if I am travelling with colleagues. In most places in the US that I need to visit I get a pretty good EVDO connection (500kb to 1mb) and I can essentially create a hotspot anywhere that has Verizon EVDO service.

Once thing I am looking for is a tiny 4 port ethernet hub/switch. I have seen them but despite scouring the web and the usual stores I cant find anything similar. The one I have seen was not much wider/higher than the space needed to house the four sockets. USB powered option would be icing on the cake. Any pointers appreciated..

The mail in rebate expired on 1/21. I've been looking for a travel router to take on a trip next week and use in a hotel room. I don't think I have time to order anything online and plan to get it before departure. Apparently my local CUSA has one, so I'll stop by this week to take a look at it.

I was actually hoping for a small wired router, since I know just enough about wireless to know that lots of folks can snatch my personal info from my wireless signals. Do they make a small travel-sized wired router?

As long as you use the encryption, you needn't worry about someone sniffing your info. Yes it's possible but highly unlikely. As for a wired router, it's not necessary. You can just plug the supplied ethernet cable into your computer and go.

I would recommend heading over to Office Depot (call to check stock first) and picking up a Dlink DWL-G730AP. It's the smallest travel router out (MUCH smaller than the Netgear), is much easier to set up, does WPA encryption, has very good range, and did I mention it's TINY? I use mine with my laptop and with a VoIP WiFI phone. Works like a charm (although I have to use WEP because of the phone :p)

I have both the DLink and the Netgear travel routers.

Despite Netgear's documentation, it DOES do WPA.

The DLink is neater looking, and the case is higher quality. BUT...it seems hit or miss in getting to the setup page (192.168.0.30). Sometimes I can get there, sometimes not. However, the whole thing works well right out of the box. Ditto for the Netgear unit. Both are pretty obscure to set up, for different reasons.

I wouldn't be too concerned about security: if you're willing to use a typical hotel or Starbucks wireless high speed connection, that's already open. And the travel routers have a lot less range.