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Assuming you stand the  vertical the Buffalo AirStation HighPower ADSL Modem Router measures 17x18x3cm with leads plugged in but not including the two external aerials, these add another 9cm to the height.

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I am not going to say this was breeze to setup, as far as the modem and router side it was probably the easiest I have ever used. As far as the ‘extra’ feature that was a pain in the bu**, in fact after many problems I resorted to technical support who were surprised I had got it do what I had, he thought it would only allow printing.

To use the units ability to print and scan etc in fact anything that you can do when the unit is connected directly to the PC you have to install the Buffalo software and the USB Network Navigator BEFORE the MFU or AIO device. Just deleting it and reinstalling it does not work, down I am told to hidden files remembering settings.

So in my case I had to wait until a new multi function came in, I am sure there must be a way but that was the only way I have found. With the USB Network Navigator sitting in the tray install your MFU and when it asks you to plug in the USB lead connect it to the modem/router and then the MFU and turn the MFU on and you should see the tray icons saying USB unit found, then when told complete the installation. Next release the USB Network Navigator hold on that PC.

Having installed the Buffalo software and the USB Network Navigator software on PC number two you can now start the install on PC number two after you remove the USB cable from either the MFU or the modem/router. When the MFU software asks, attach the USB cable as above and all should work as with a standalone unit.

This means by releasing from PC 2 you can then print/scan etc from PC 1 again after the icon in the tray has retaken control. Next I tried adding a third unit, this a unit connected wirelessly and while this works as a wireless unit I think it should also work as a USB one. With most recent units also having wireless options as well as USB this becomes more of a technical exercise. However in one way or another I can scan/print etc from any of three PC’s to a single MFU providing you release the other two devices hold on the MFU first, a pain but possible. The technical support person at Buffalo thought it would only work with the printer part of the unit.

So onto the modem/router itself the front has five LED’s and a push button that allows you to connect external wireless devices without having to enter units passcode. Once started you want to see green, amber, green, green and off, all solid and non flashing, the amber should flash only while it is searching for an item to connect to once the RDS button has been pressed. The top of the unit has two aerials that give good coverage.

This leaves the back which is where cables are connected, at the top the DC input, then four Ethernet, the USB that has taken so much of this review and finally the cable from your BT socket to work with the modem part of the unit.

I enjoy a challenge else I would probably have given up with the USB connection, certainly the documentation needs improving and I would suggest perhaps the advice given to technical support personnel who although helpful could have been better informed. This unit works fine as a modem router with good wireless coverage, its plus is the USB port doing exactly what people have long asked a USB port to do however I doubt most will want (or have patience) to spend as much time as I did to finally get it to perform correctly. Perhaps the thing most required is the ability to stop Windows remembering settings from removed items.

Doing my Internet searches found the Buffalo AirStation Nfiniti at a best price of £94.21 with free delivery.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B002LGLCLW?ie=UTF8&tag=gadge0a-21&linkCode=as2&camp=1634

http://www.buffalo-technology.com/products/wireless/wireless