Setting up with Win XP Pro was totally automatic. Setting up with Win 2000 was very picky, but I got it done. I have not used it with win 98.
I am very pleased with the Linksys equipment, but would install Win XP on all machines before starting if I had it to do over again.
So9
I currently have a (wired) Linksys router & hub that has worked pretty well -- even with Cat 5 cables running all over the place.

We're moving to a two-story unit, though, so wireless looks to be de rigeur, at least for laptop use.