Let me start by saying this little gadget is a powerhouse for remote work and travel. The GL-XE300 effortlessly converts 4G LTE to Wi-Fi, and the setup? Shockingly easy—I had it running in under 5 minutes. The OpenWrt system is a tinkerer’s dream, letting me customize VPNs (OpenVPN/WireGuard) and even SSH remotely. Plus, the 5000mAh battery is a lifesaver during power outages.

**Pros:** The dual Ethernet ports and USB 2.0 slot add flexibility, and the GoodCloud management is slick for monitoring on the go. I also love the failover feature—when my home internet died, it seamlessly switched to 4G without dropping my video call. The compact size? Perfect for tossing in a backpack.

**Cons:** No 5GHz Wi-Fi hurts—my smart home devices clogged the 2.4GHz band, causing occasional lag. The modem can be finicky; sometimes it takes ages to boot or loses signal (keep it ventilated—it gets toasty). Also, the IMEI isn’t printed externally, which caused a hiccup at customs.

**Verdict:** At ~$140, it’s pricey but worth it for tech-savvy users needing reliability. Just don’t expect plug-and-play storage—the SD/USB feature requires Linux fiddling. For off-grid cabins or backup internet? Gold.