Linksys wireless G USB adapter or Linksys wireless G PCI adapter

[HoneyMustardYo]

I am looking to purchase one of the above mentioned and was wondering which would give the better performance.

 

[PC Freak]

USB is limited to the speed of your USB port. USB v. 1.1 will be something like 5mb 2.0 is higher but I can't remember what it is.
the PCI adapter would be the better choice for performance.

In my field I typicall install the Linksys Wireless G adapters, simply because it get's the antenna on top of the desk and not crowded behind a PC next to a wall.
You will most likely not see any performance differences if you xfer small files on you LAN and surf the web.

 

[Praetor]

If you can get one of the PCI adaptors with the extended antenna, go for that. Otherwise, if you will be sticking your computer against a wall or behind a desk door, go with the USB adaptor and set it on top of your desk.

 

[Zelmo3]

USB. It's a USB 2.0 adapter, and that interface will give you up to 240 Mb/s, which is well beyond the 54 that the wireless needs.
Of course, that bandwidth will be shared with any other device on the same controller (not just the same connector; there are two USB connectors for each controller chip). Not a problem if you have plenty of other USB ports or very few USB peripherals.

Some people tout the ability to move a USB adapter around to get the best signal, but I haven't found that positioning makes much if any difference. The real advantage in my opinion is ease of installation/uninstallation. You just plug it in (and load the drivers if it's the first time you've ever plugged it in) and it's ready. Even with alternative operating systems USB adapters work as well as PCI.

 

[JackMDS]

Welcome to the Network Forum.

When it comes to Entry Level Wireless Clients almost all of them are based on PCMCIA cards.

The so called USB is PCMCIA card connected under the plastic to a USB interface.

The so called PCI is PCMCIA plugged or soldered to PCI interface board.

Since the PCI and the USB are PCMCIA with additional interface circuitry and different buses the performance resultant is some what less (about 5%-10%) than pure PCMCIA.

What shell I use?

For Laptop the regular PCMCIA is the best solution,

For Desktop (or tower case) USB Wireless Client Card should be considered as the preferred solution.

Why?

Wireless is depending on signal propagation.

PCI Wireless Client Card ends up been stuck behind the computer's case, resultant in obstructed transmission and poor performance. USB is connected to the Port with 2-3' cable allowing the Antenna to be placed above the System for better Transmission.

However a PCI card is a good choice when a powerful external Antenna is needed for long distance. Many Wireless PCI cards come with a removable Antenna.

:sun:

 

[rayray2]

Originally posted by: JackMDS
Welcome to the Network Forum.

When it comes to Entry Level Wireless Clients almost all of them are based on PCMCIA cards.

The so called USB is PCMCIA card connected under the plastic to a USB interface.

The so called PCI is PCMCIA plugged or soldered to PCI interface board.

Since the PCI and the USB are PCMCIA with additional interface circuitry and different buses the performance resultant is some what less (about 5%-10%) than pure PCMCIA.

What shell I use?

For Laptop the regular PCMCIA is the best solution,

For Desktop (or tower case) USB Wireless Client Card should be considered as the preferred solution.

Why?

Wireless is depending on signal propagation.

PCI Wireless Client Card ends up been stuck behind the computer's case, resultant in obstructed transmission and poor performance. USB is connected to the Port with 2-3' cable allowing the Antenna to be placed above the System for better Transmission.

However a PCI card is a good choice when a powerful external Antenna is needed for long distance. Many Wireless PCI cards come with a removable Antenna.

:sun:

There's no way to say that it gets poor reception "because it's stuck behind the case". For all we know, that could put it CLOSER to the wireless router. You can't judge a wireless connection by what's more visible from the front of the case, LOL.