Recommend a WiFi card or dongle?

[ascorbyl]

I've recently had to move my PC downstairs, but now I need to invest in a good wireless card or usb dongle since I've always just been connected via wire to my router.

I've always had problems in the past with getting a decent wifi card in the past, which eventually led me to just go wired. Unfortunately that's not possible anymore... :-x Are there any that you guys have had good experiences with?

Thanks

[peti1212]

You might want to check this out: http://netgear.com/home/products/wireless-adapters/ultimate-wireless-adapters/A6200.aspx#one

A bit expensive, in the $60-80 range, but I'm sure you won't be disappointed. According to their site it says it's better than the N600, which I have and I never had problems with that usb wi-fi adapter. Only thing that might be misleading, though I don't think it's too big of a problem is the fact that the A6200 is USB 2.0 only, not USB 3.0, which means that you might not get the performance that it is advertised to do.

[Pablo 54]

D-Link DWA-556 Xtreme N PCI Express Desktop Adapter with a D-Link ANT24-0230 Xtreme N 2.4GHZ Indoor Antenna. Had to move mine to a basement - essentially 3 floors below the router. Worked great.

[ryandigweed]

If you're going for a USB dongle for long range. Then take a look at this.
http://www.uawifi.com/ or search for Alfa networks USB donglee


Otherwise a cheap tp link 300mbs USB would do. Its for around $20 maybe.

[gstillman]

I use a Dlink DWA-160 and it works well. I also have a TP-LINK TL-WN722N on another system. Both work well. Use the WiFi Analyzer app on android or iPhone to check the strength of your signals and choose an empty channel for your wireless connections. Use channels 1, 6 or 11 as these do not interfere with each other. Pick the empty channels. I monitor my channels and sometimes find my neighbors change their channels thus causing interference. Have fun!

[najiro]

I don't like dongles, some models tend to get hot after some time. I suggest getting a wifi card. I believe that's a more solid piece of hardware compared to dongles and you'd eliminate the possibility of misplacing that as well :)

[PP Mguire]

I have the cheap Asus 300 N PCI-E card on Newegg. Thing works like a charm and picks up a ton of wifi at my apartment complex so the range is good too.

[foxmobouser]

I have the cheap Asus 300 N PCI-E card on Newegg. Thing works like a charm and picks up a ton of wifi at my apartment complex so the range is good too.

Think I have one of those, arent they limited to like 150-170Mbs and very picky on security protocol that used.

Anyways, get something that uses MIMO if you gonna go wireless with 5ghz band. I always opted to use a spare router as a client to the main router. It is a basic Netgear refurb dual band router WNDR 2100 or something like that and runs 15-20$. I use em for my basement TV and PC and the TV has no prob getting VUDU HDX movies off the net.

[ryandigweed]

PCi WiFi cards have a good range and stability, but i like the idea of a USB wifi dongle, that you can move from system to system .

My USB wifi device came handy when my Internet connection was down, and I had to use the Wifi on my desktop which was plluged to my Modem. And another situation when my Laptop Wifi chip got fried, had to live on the USB dongle :D

[ET3D]

I have this one (http://www.buyincoins.com/new_en/details/usb-150m-wifi-wireless-lan-network-card-adapter-antenna-product-1916.html) and it works well, but there are lots of other choices. But signal strength could still be a problem, it's hard to tell.

[PP Mguire]

I've never had any security issues with it and connects 300Mb to my Linksys E4200.

Edit: Just tossed it in my PC. Seems to only connect at 150Mb now even though I haven't changed any settings. Oh well, it is advertised at transmit at 150 anyways so the most you would get is about 7MB/s file transfer which is pretty good anyways.

[ascorbyl]

Incredible, thanks for all the responses!

My router is still an a/b/g router.. maybe I should think about upgrading that as well, haha. I'll be checking out all the ones you guys suggested, but for now I gotta head off to school. :razz:

[foxmobouser]

I've never had any security issues with it .....
What I was referring to is that many of these adapter/cards work at their advertised speed (big if) when connecting using a certain security protocol like say that ASUS I think works best when using WPA2 AES if you use another like TKIP or WPA AES/TKIP then you will see your connection speed lowered to like 75 or 56Mb. I got a crap load of dongle/card paperweights that were cheapo and advertized N 270. The speed is even dependent what brands you use together and what other devices you use on the same network. Say u using a tablet or laptop with a G adapter at 56Mb it will default all your connections to the slowest speed.

[PP Mguire]

What I was referring to is that many of these adapter/cards work at their advertised speed (big if) when connecting using a certain security protocol like say that ASUS I think works best when using WPA2 AES if you use another like TKIP or WPA AES/TKIP then you will see your connection speed lowered to like 75 or 56Mb. I got a crap load of dongle/card paperweights that were cheapo and advertized N 270. The speed is even dependent what brands you use together and what other devices you use on the same network. Say u using a tablet or laptop with a G adapter at 56Mb it will default all your connections to the slowest speed.I knew exactly what you meant. I haven't had any issues with it and it's the card I use when we don't have net at home ;)

[altereDad]

Has anyone asked the question: Are you intending on any other WiFi connections where you intend on moving the PC to?

Honestly, every home can be different, but ensure you check your channels and operating band. Everything is a factor and expect some loss dependent on your home and surrounding area. Keep a regular eye on your connections signal. Also, if you use a USB connection on a desktop try to avoid a simple dongle. You can also check if a Powerline connection might be better or not.

Good luck though. And think of connections. More than one you may want to consider something else.

[TehYoyo]

I always trust hardware/expansion cards over USB plug-ins. I feel like they're more reliable because they plug right into the motherboard - less to go wrong.

But if you are going w/ USB, I'd get the Linksys AE3000 (http://homestore.cisco.com/en-us/Adapters/Linksys-AE3000-Wirelessn-usb-adapter_stcVVproductId147893049VVviewprod.htm). It's pretty good.

Another note, I really recommend investing and spending the cash to get a good card - internet that doesn't work is so annoying!

[ryandigweed]

Incredible, thank you for all the replies!

I will have to check out all your suggestions later, as I'm in school at the moment. My current router is a/b/g, maybe I should think about that upgrading soon, hah. :-D

Damn, if your router is a a/b/g/ router, you don't have many options. And usually their range isn't great.

[ascorbyl]

I suppose I'll grab an N adapter for now, and just upgrade the router if it's not working out too well. I'm actually moving it to somewhere I can get reception on a 6-7 year old laptop with b/g so I think it should be fine. The router is 15 feet away, max (going through 1 floor, 1 wall).

[altereDad]

Damn, if your router is a a/b/g/ router, you don't have many options. And usually their range isn't great.

Range can be fixed dependent on the antenna it uses. It'll be under the 2.4GHz band which is congested with many other services and devices and most probably default settings of newer routers that utilize dual-band. Depending on PC age, they may be limited as well.

As they do say, you get what you pay for. Looking at what it gets used for, how many devices wireless and wired are good factors. Avoiding wireless where one can.

[Joshua_Mahr]

I have a D-Link DWA-130. Works like a champ!

[nKwoel]

I suppose I'll grab an N adapter for now, and just upgrade the router if it's not working out too well. I'm actually moving it to somewhere I can get reception on a 6-7 year old laptop with b/g so I think it should be fine. The router is 15 feet away, max (going through 1 floor, 1 wall).
If range cant reach, no need to upgrade you router, just add DLink DIR505 portable mini router. It can be set into Router/AP, Repeater or just share your data on exHDD through USB. It can increase 5-10m away. It quite cheap too.

[sushrukh]

I use a Netgear WNDA3100 V2 Dual Band RangeMax USB Adaptor.Works great for me. :)

http://www.amazon.com/NETGEAR-RangeMax-WNDA3100-Wireless-N-Adapter/dp/B001498LIO/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1356446334&sr=8-1&keywords=wnda3100v2

[foxmobouser]

It's much cheaper, faster, healthier just to get a CAT6 cable and fasteners.