WiFi card

DjchunKfunK · 3 Feb 2011 at 10:16

I have just moved into a flat at the top of a house which has internet included in the rent so I now need to make my PC wireless in order to connect to the router that is somewhere else in the house. Is my best bet to go with a PCI card or would I be better off with something like http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B002GBPE34/ref=s9_simh_gw_p147_d0_i1?pf_rd_m=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE&pf_rd_s=center-2&pf_rd_r=1B6D5EYSAS16WB79KYVS&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=467128533&pf_rd_i=468294 so that I can move it around the flat to get a better signal?

Tealc · 3 Feb 2011 at 10:30

You can attach an external antenna to a PCI card that should allow you to fine tune the position of the best reception. Indeed it is better to get the antenna away from the metal PC case anyway.

USB devices are suitable for laptops and temporary use and also for those scared to open their case and install cards but for anything more dependable PCI is the way to go.

My opinion anyway.

paradigm · 3 Feb 2011 at 10:31

Nice use of a competitor link there.

Is there no scope for laying ethernet cable rather than going wireless? I'd much rather spend the time cabling the house (if it's not rented or you are allowed to do so) and having a decent connection.

DjchunKfunK · 3 Feb 2011 at 11:47

Cabling isn't possible as the flat is at the top of the house above where the landlord lives.

Glaucus · 3 Feb 2011 at 11:50

Can you ask him to plug in a home plug network adapter thingy?

DjchunKfunK · 3 Feb 2011 at 12:27

That might be a possibility, but it's more expensive than just getting a card.

Glaucus · 3 Feb 2011 at 12:29

wifi is pretty rubbish in my experience. Drop outs even if you get decent reception. If your in a house you might not even get decent reception to begin with.

Ev0 · 3 Feb 2011 at 14:17

I've been using my desktop on a wireless connection for a few months now and it's been no different to when I had it cabled, bar slower file transfer speeds.

Using one of the uber small Solwise USB N dongles, sat on the desk plugged into a little usb extension cable at the rear of the pc.

Never had any connection or reliability issues with it.

paradigm · 3 Feb 2011 at 14:41

And the distance you are from the source of the WiFi signal is? And how many (decent) walls does that have to traverse?

There is a reason we have a centrally managed wireless LAN here at work, and that is so we can have 12 access points for the same SSIDs that we broadcast, around the entire building.

Wireless is only just bearable at the best of times, even with high-end kit that has had literally thousands and thousands spent on it. It sucks in superb quantities when you are using a single consumer grade access point, as physically far as possible away from the room you are trying to use it from, through walls and ceilings.

DjchunKfunK · 3 Feb 2011 at 15:40

I thought this may be the case. I'll see how my wives laptop connects to the net and then see about getting the homeplug system in place if the signal is bad. Thanks for the input.