Looking for a wireless N USB adapter

[eli2k]

Hi all, I need a wireless n or ac USB adapter. Router supports n but probably not ac. The distance between router and PC will be about 15 feet. There is a walking area between the router/PC and I did not want to wire Ethernet around there. I need it to be compatible with WinXP until I transition the OS to something more modern. It will used only for sending data from another PC (over Ethernet) to this PC (wifi). Maximum throughput is not a requirement. Just something that will work reliably.

I looked on Amazon but there are thousands of USB adapters from random companies so I wasn't sure where to start other than something with "good" reviews and a large amount. The one I am looking at is this one from EDUP. But if anyone else has had good experience with a different adapter I am open to your recs. Thanks.

 

[VirtualLarry]

Probably as good as any, and it explicitly calls out support for XP, 7, and 10.

 

[Ichinisan]

Just thinking ahead to the future, I tell people it’s probably the wrong time to buy any non-AC WiFi devices. AC has been standard for many years and N is on the way out.

At least an AC wireless device should always support 5GHz band.

 

[VirtualLarry]

AUKEY AC1750 USB3.0 Wifi

3x3 AC1750 USB3.0, $10

Edit: I should probably mention, I ordered a few of these, from another vendor (slightly more expensive, closer to $14.50 ea.), and will let you know how they work out, once they arrive.

I've got a 3x3 AC1900 router (Asus AC68R), while my USB3.0 802.11ac dongles are only 2x2 AC1200. (PremierTek - they work great, seem to not overheat, decent signal / speed, going to the other room.)

So, I hope that the new ones work out just as well, except are faster due to the 3x3.

I've gotten 43MB/sec to my gigabit wired NAS, via one of those PremierTek AC1200 dongles. (RealTek 8812AU chipset.)

Edit: I think that was a mistake, I think that I used to get 43MB/sec through the AC wireless, only through my trendnet AC1200 Access Point, configured as a wireless bridge to my main router.

Using the PremierTek (RealTek 8812AU USB3.0) dongle, I think I used to get 18MB/sec.

Anyways, I got my AUKEY dongles today. Windows 10 installed them no problem.

Doing an internet speed test with the PremierTek was around 210Mbit/sec down, with the AUKEY, it was around 250Mbit/sec down.

The AUKEY identifies as an 8814AU USB wifi. So, it seems it also has a (newer) RealTek chipset.

Works fine for me, not great (was hoping for 800Mbit/sec), but whatever.

I didn't load the drivers off of the included mini-CD, so possibly, they include a USB2.0 / 3.0 switcher program. I'm wondering if the performance limitation that I'm seeing, is that the dongle is in USB2.0 mode? I don't know.

 

[eli2k]

Cool, thanks. I'll take a look at those ones on ebay. Looks like Amazon has some of those Aukey dongles, too, although 5-10 dollars more expensive. I did some searching I believe 802.11ac dongles should be backwards compatible with 802.11n routers. Someone correct me if I am wrong. I guess it is a good idea then to just get an ac adapter.

 

[VirtualLarry]

Yeah, just get one of those AUKEY AC1750 dongles, they work well enough.

Edit: Addendum - I forgot that you needed Windows XP compatibility. I don't know if these AUKEY (or in fact, any 802.11ac dongle, that doesn't come with it's own software suite) are compatible with XP.

 

[bruceb]

Since you are only 15 feet from the router, why not just get a premade 25 foot RJ45 Patch Cable ? ? ?

 

[eli2k]

Yeah, just get one of those AUKEY AC1750 dongles, they work well enough.

Edit: Addendum - I forgot that you needed Windows XP compatibility. I don't know if these AUKEY (or in fact, any 802.11ac dongle, that doesn't come with it's own software suite) are compatible with XP.

Thank you for writing your feedback about how the dongle performed. On Amazon, it lists compatibility with XP. On eBay (263137951531) it also lists XP in the description. I think I'll be fine, though, because I plan to update, sooner than later, this to Win7 or Win10 to have a more modern DVR/PVR/HTPC software running. Currently using something that 6 years old and doesn't support any apps.

$10 on ebay, $20 on Amazon, hmmm. Actually, I wonder if the $10 on ebay is legit or not (too good to be true??). The next lowest priced is around 15-16 dollars. And everyone else's price is more expensive than on Amazon.

Since you are only 15 feet from the router, why not just get a premade 25 foot RJ45 Patch Cable ? ? ?

I would have to loop it over a doorway, or run it across the doorway and put carpet on top. I think wireless will work out better in this particular situation.

 

[killster1]

just run it across the ceiling and have the cable same color as wall.. I used to run it like this!