nice to have... i have all my machines all on my network (3) 2 desktops and 1 laptop. Its kinda nice, i dont have to run any wires. Although, my only complaint.. is that my phone and some peoples wireless mice SEEM to interfer with my router... im not sure if this is true or not, but i do know that you cant have a 802.11 frequency phone in between your access point and card... But otherwise i love it!