Bluetooth adapter questions

sheh

Senior member
Jul 25, 2005
247
8
81
I'm planning to get a Bluetooth adapter (USB), is there anything important to look for or avoid?

The computer I intend to use it with doesn't have front USB ports, would it be better for reception to get a "full size" adapter rather than those "header only" (which anyway look very impractical if you're to insert and remove the adapter)?

Does it matter much if I get v2.0 or v2.1, or should I only go based on supported speeds (as I understood there are v2.0 adapters that can't do 2Mbit or 2.1 that can't do 3Mbit)?

Do they all support 10/100 meters?
 

Zap

Elite Member
Oct 13, 1999
22,377
2
81
Class 1 Version 2.0/2.1 with EDR

Class 1 is transmit power and 1 is the highest power for greatest range, great for desktop systems. If using with a notebook probably Class 2 or 3, for reduced power usage (albeit with reduced range).

Version 2.0/2.1 with EDR is for the revision of the Bluetooth it is compliant with (and generally backwards compliant as well) and EDR is Enhanced Data Rate for faster communications.

Getting a larger adapter can't hurt, though I'm not sure performance will be enhanced (if they used the extra space for antenna or not).
 

sheh

Senior member
Jul 25, 2005
247
8
81
Thanks. I think 2.1 isn't that common, but not sure what real world benefits it has anyway. So I'll just get something with EDR/3Mbit. From what I understand reception isn't a problem with these things in general, and as for range, on second thought it's not that big a deal (a minimal 10-20m should do, and less electromagnetic pollution could actually be a plus :)).
 
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