USB Wireless Adapters - Much Difference In Quality?

DAnDan · 3 Jul 2013 at 21:39

I'm looking to get a new USB wireless dongle to replace my old 54G one. For a while I had thought that we had 20MB broadband in the house, but I was testing out my new phone and found out that we actually have 40MB, but my desktop's adapter seems to only handle 20MB...

Anyway, I'll now obviously be needing a new dongle to replace the one I have, and I'm wondering if there's much difference between them? I'm looking to spend no more than £40ish really, and my only real requirement is that I get the speed that my phone can manage on the WiFi.

Any suggestions on particular models to look for/avoid?

MissChief · 3 Jul 2013 at 22:39

Desktop adaptor is probably Wireless G.

Go for an internal card with external aerial if it must be wireless.

DAnDan · 3 Jul 2013 at 22:41

MissChief said:
Desktop adaptor is probably Wireless G.

Go for an internal card with external aerial if it must be wireless.

I had looked at internal cards, but I'm a bit wary as my tower is tucked in an alcove, whereas with a USB I can put it on a metre cable to get it into a better signal area. Not sure which would work out better overall though?

I'm hoping that a standard adapter will give full speed, but I just don't want to buy one, get it home and find that it's no better/not full speed compared to what I know it can be achieving.

Orcvader · 3 Jul 2013 at 23:34

YOUR BASKET
1 x TP-Link 300Mbps High-Gain Wireless-N USB Adapter (TL-WN822N) £17.99
Total : £23.96 (includes shipping : £4.98).

This USB adapter gives me full speed (internet speed 33mb). Only problem was the TP Link software minimizing fullscreen apps, so I only installed the driver and it all works fine.