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Thread: To USB WiFi or not to USB WiFi

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    To USB WiFi or not to USB WiFi

    My daughter wants WiFi on her desktop PC & I'm wondering whether a dongle, such as TP LINK 300 mbs TL-wn821-1n usb wi fi aerial, works as good as a pci card. I'd rather not delve into her PC, 'cos if I get it wrong & she can't get onto Facebook for even 30seconds, I may just as well leave the country!!!!!!

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    Editable... jimbouk's Avatar
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    Re: To USB WiFi or not to USB WiFi

    I've always gone internal, takes up less resources. But it's probably very marginal and I can't imagine there's much real world difference. El-cheapo Edimax network adapters have kept me connected smoothly for a number of years now.

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    RIP Peterb ik9000's Avatar
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    Re: To USB WiFi or not to USB WiFi

    I used a D-Link wireless N USB dongle that Virgin gave me when I signed up for their fibre. Worked fine. Better than the ethernet-over-power ComLink adaptors BT gave me previously. Was pulling 35Mb/s download to my machine using it. (I had it in a USB3 port, not sure if that made a difference or not).

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    Re: To USB WiFi or not to USB WiFi

    If I cant use a cat6, I use the exact usb wifi adapter you mention - TP LINK 300 mbs it works great under ubuntu! and is super cheap

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    Re: To USB WiFi or not to USB WiFi

    Both my desktop PC and my HTPC are currently running off 11g USB adapters and I have had no issues whatsoever with them. For the ease of use you just can't beat it.

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    jim
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    Re: To USB WiFi or not to USB WiFi

    At work, I couldn't tell the difference between USB and PCI adapter in day-to-day usage. Aside from being easier to accidentally pull out, they're virtually identical.

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    Re: To USB WiFi or not to USB WiFi

    These day usb wifi is very good but it does depend on the building and radio interference, I use wifi for tablet / laptop but for desktop I use network over mains like these and it never drops out.

    http://www.pcworld.co.uk/gbuk/tp-lin...91859-pdt.html

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    Re: To USB WiFi or not to USB WiFi

    Absolutely no problem using USB Wi-Fi adapters. They have been around a long time and dont use much more resource than an internal card. Go for it!!

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