I've got four of the DLink DHP-301 units running in my house and they're just terrific.
They're great for anyone unwilling (or unable) to tear up their walls to run CAT5. In my case, I'd have to go through three floors and I'm not exactly a do-it-yourselfer. These units were affordable enough (compared to losing a weekend and having to get help from a friend to run CAT5), and just plain work. I took a risk being an early adopter and I'd do it again if I had the choice.
I use them to connect my broadband connection and servers (in the basement), the media center switch (main floor), wireless AP(upstairs) and a second media center (upstairs).
Some of the advantages of these sort of units :
- Zero setup. Unless you want encryption on the line (and they're rare enough that's probably safe without), you just plug them into your outlets and you've got an instant network bridge
- Flexible. I've moved the placement of where I had my bridges plugged in a few times. With wired CAT5 through the house, I'd have to run Ethernet from wherever the drop is to wherever the computer or network printer happens to be.
- Mostly problem free. I've had these for about two years now and the only problem I ever have is having to unplug a unit about once every six months. I can live with that easily. :)