How to choose a wi-fi adapter

As a rule, devices with two modules are internal. There are also external ones, but, according to customer reviews, their quality is dismal. Here is an example for those who still rely on them in the question of how to choose a Wi-Fi adapter:

How to choose a Wi-Fi adapter for your computer: expert secrets

Today's topic is the Wi-Fi adapter for a desktop computer. Yes, you can safely use them for a laptop as well, but that's not the point. The whole problem with computers is that for some reason they are not immediately equipped with wireless adapters, unlike laptops. And this sometimes creates the need to choose a Wi-Fi adapter. So I suggest looking at what is available now and how you can simplify your choice. From the screw!

Computer or laptop connection options

A computer can be connected to a router in two ways:

1. By wire. Of the disadvantages – sometimes it is difficult to pull it if the computer is far away from the router. But here there is its overlapping pluses – reliability and speed of connection, besides there is a network card for the wire on almost any stationary PC.
2. Over the air. With the help of that very same Wi-Fi adapter. There is no default adapter in the computer, but it is easily purchased and installed. It is used when you don't want to pull the wire or there is no such an opportunity. Disadvantages are speed limitations and possible problems from using Wi-Fi technology. But sometimes it is still very necessary. Another possible purpose is to analyze wireless networks from a computer.

Next we are going to learn more about wireless modules, their types, connection options and uses. Once again, they can be used not only on PCs, but also on laptops (for example, if the built-in WiFi adapter is broken, or you need a special one). Some smartphones also support OTG some wi-fi adapters – better check with your model.

If there is no Wi-Fi on the laptop, does it mean that the internal module is broken?

No, not necessarily. If there is no Wireless, WLAN, 802.11 adapter in the device manager, it is possible that the problem is with the driver. Or the adapter is disabled. However, when it is disabled, or working with an error, it should still be displayed in the Device Manager, on the Network Adapters tab. It may have a yellow exclamation mark next to it, or it will be inactive (a bit transparent) .

Below you can see what the wireless model looks like in Device Manager on my laptop. When it is working normally.

You can also enable the display of hidden devices if the adapter is not there. It will probably show up and you can engage it by right-clicking on it.

I have written many articles about solving various problems with wireless adapters. I will give links to some of them below, and you don't have to look and check everything on your laptop.

If nothing helps, it may well be that your module itself is just burned out (or something else) . What to do in this situation I will tell you below. But I would also try reinstalling Windows, and install the driver downloaded from the official website.

What to do if my laptop's Wi-Fi module is broken?

If you have tried everything and nothing works, or the internal module is glitchy, you need to replace it.

Perhaps your laptop is still under warranty. If so, give it to the service center, let them replace the module or the motherboard. If there is no warranty, you can take the laptop to the workshop and pay for the repair.

Yes, you can disassemble the laptop to find a wireless module in it, order somewhere the same (or other manufacturers), and replace yourself. But there are two problems:

• Not everyone is good at it. And if you have already decided to do it, remember that you do everything at your own risk. You can do even worse, and stay not only without Wi-Fi, but also without a laptop.
• As I said before, most new laptops have the WLAN module soldered into the board. You can't just replace it.

It is possible to connect the laptop to the Internet via a network cable. This is not a very good solution, but it can be an option.

The easiest solution is a USB Wi-Fi adapter.

There are many external adapters on the market that connect via USB. I already wrote an article on how to choose them, and I gave a link at the beginning of this article. Many manufacturers have compact adapters that are great for laptops. They are no bigger than a wireless mouse or keyboard adapter. I have one of these nano adapters, the TP-Link TL-WN725N.

Plug it in, install the driver (in Windows 10 everything is automatic) and you can connect to the Internet.

Not only TP-Link has such compact models. You can look it up in some online store.

It's a quick and easy replacement for the internal Wi-Fi module. Yes, it takes up 1 USB port, and it sticks out a bit, but it's better that way than with a cable.

Internal modules

Internal adapters are called adapters, which are permanently installed in the corresponding slots of the motherboard.

They are compact chips without enclosures, and depending on the connection interface are divided into two groups:

PCI Express – adapters inserted into the motherboard socket of the same name, equipped with 1 or 2 external antennas. If desired, you can replace the antennas with a more powerful or even remote ones.

M.2 is the newest way to wirelessly connect your PC or laptop to a Wi-Fi network. It becomes an option when PCI Express slots on the motherboard are insufficient or are blocked by other equipment. However, not every M.2 connector is suitable for installation, it must be labeled Wi-Fi.

Many users prefer the built-in modules because they do not take up USB connectors and do not add unnecessary wires to the system, which are already abundant in the computer.

If you are just planning to build a desktop PC or are thinking about a partial upgrade, you can choose a motherboard with Wi-Fi support in advance. Such a solution would be advantageous in terms of price and would require no effort to connect and configure.

What features should I pick for my adapter?

Modern models of Wi-Fi adapters are universal devices with a wide range of action. Therefore, you do not have to go too deep into the technical specifications. If you have decided on the configuration and placement, then to buy an adapter you should pay attention only to 3 characteristics:

The Wi-Fi standard should match the potential of the router. Most models on sale support several modern standards, as evidenced by the marking IEEE 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac.

The connection speed is determined by the standard. When choosing, you can follow the principle: the more the better. However, with a low connection speed provided by your ISP and a low-powered router, there is no point in overpaying for a high performance adapter.

Frequency range is the parameter that determines the stability of the connection. When choosing a model, make sure that your adapter supports two bands: 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz. Then you will be able to choose the optimal settings based on the distance to the router and the presence of obstacles in the signal path.

Compact (Whistle)

Both compact adapters have similar characteristics. TP-Link TL-WN725N и Asus USB-N10 Nano support wireless data transfer at 2.4 GHz IEEE 802.11 b/g/n WiFi standard at a maximum speed of 150 Mbps and have a USB 2.0 connection interface.

The following two models are table-top and have antennas. The models are connected to your computer through a cable.

— TP-Link TL-WN822N Supports 2.4 GHz IEEE 802.11 b/g/n WiFi networking at a maximum speed of 300 Mbps, and has a USB 2.0 interface;

— TP-Link Archer T9UH supports wireless data transfer over a frequency of 2.4/5 GHz WiFi standard IEEE 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac at a maximum speed of 1300 Mbps and have a USB 3.0 connection interface.

TP-Link AC600 Wireless Wi-FI Adapter Overview

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Which wi fi adapter is better for my PC to choose and buy?

The pricing policy of manufacturers can vary significantly for devices with the same capabilities. That's why it is so important to compare the technical characteristics and choose the best option:

• Such an adapter as ZYXEL NWD6605 is quite modern, will provide a stable connection, but you can find a cheaper one with similar parameters.
• LUMAX DV0002HD is definitely worth choosing if the set-top box is of the same firm.
• Edimax EW-7711UAn is easy to set up and operate and produces a stable signal. But you should not expect a large range from it.
• ASUS USB-N14 is compact and powerful, but it sees only one frequency range.
• Alfa Network AWUS036NHV is the choice of users who care about distance to the access point. It is characterized by good sensitivity combined with a smooth signal.
• Reasonable price, good quality of communication at a distance of 10-15 meters, and no difficulty in using the Tenda U3.
• Confidently works by modern standards of communication in two bands D-link DWA-182/D1. But the price is a bit pricey.
• The optimal option that demonstrates the capabilities of modern adapters is TP-LINK Archer T2UH. It is the leader in terms of price to quality ratio.

It is recommended to buy a model for your computer with the same parameters that the home Wireless Fidelity router supports. If you choose a lower performance, it will worsen the quality of the network. Therefore, it is advisable to read the router's manual first.

What is a Wi fi adapter for your computer?

Wi-Fi adapters are useful devices that allow you to connect desktop computers, laptops, smartphones, tablets, and other digital devices that do not have an initial wireless connection to the World Wide Web. Adapters work in a given frequency range via broadband radio communication.

By the way, if you are choosing a monitor for your computer, then don't rush to conclusions until you study our rating of the best models.

Adapters with good technical characteristics can significantly improve the quality of communication and increase the range. Therefore, they have recently been increasingly used for laptops that have wifi, but do not have a stable signal.

Modern network adapters are equipped with external and internal antennas. There are three types of adapters:

• External. Connect to the system unit (laptop, tablet) via a USB port.
• Built-in. To use them for a desktop computer, you must make a direct connection to the motherboard.
• Cardboard. They have not yet found much use, because they are used for computer equipment with a PCCard slot.

Some models can only receive the signal, others can receive and transmit. Drivers are almost always used to digitize correctly.

Antennas

The accessory that adds wi-fi to your desktop can come in many forms. It can be a mini-dongle:

The antenna option is the most practical in terms of connection stability. The antenna can be pointed at the router so that the devices communicate with each other without interference. "Horns" can be equipped with both external and internal accessories.

The device can have more than one antenna. With such an adapter you can do without a router at all: connect the network cable to the PC and set up wireless distribution from the computer, directing the antennas in different directions so that the coverage is wider. We recommend this external device with two antennas:

Choosing the adapter

The main thing when choosing an adapter is how it is connected. There are USB adapters based on the USB interface and PCI-compatible ones. The former are easy to use and will fit into any computer and computer unit with a free USB connector. They can be easily removed and plugged into another device. The latter are more complicated in this regard, since they use a PCI-E interface. Before buying them you must make sure that this connector is even on the system unit, and whether it is not busy.

PCI adapters

A PCI adapter is a wireless WiFi receiver that is installed inside the case of a personal computer. It is connected directly to the PCI slot on the motherboard. Hence its name. Its advantage is that its speed of interaction with the processor and the quality of the signal are higher because of the direct connection. This provides a more reliable network.

Important! It is easy to tell that this type of adapter is installed in the computer – it is noticeable by the antenna sticking out of the case of the system unit.

USB-adapters

More versatile network devices that have the same characteristics as their PCI counterparts. The only difference is that they are connected via USB and externally. It is not as reliable and high quality as the first option, but it is easier. Internet speed and performance will be less because of the longer distance and extra PC parts through which the signal will go. All of this, along with the unfixed contact, does not have a very positive effect on the final quality of the Internet connection.

Important. Despite all the disadvantages of USB devices, most choose them because they are able to connect to a computer, a laptop, and a new generation of TVs. The appearance of the adapter is a small flash drive with an antenna, but there are larger devices.

Specifications

Specifications are the main parameters by which to choose a network device. They include:

• Support for communication standards;
• Compatibility with the operating system;
• Distance to the router;
• Connection interface;
• Transmitter power;
• Type of antennas;
• Number of antennas;
• Manufacturer, price, model.

Support for communication standards

The Wifi wireless data protocol involves several communication standards:

• 11a with a bandwidth of 54 Mbps, up to 5GHz and a speed of 5.5 Mbps;
• 11b with 11 Mbps, 2.4 GHz, up to the end of 2010, the most popular standard;
• 11g. It was introduced in 2003. The speed is 54 Mbps. The frequency remains the same. All smartphones work on this standard;
• 11n, which operates at 2.4 to 2.5 GHz at 150 Mbps (with bandwidths up to 600 Mbps);
• 11ac. Was approved in 2014. The theoretical flow rate increased to 6.9 Gbps. The operating range became 5 GHz.

It is important that the adapter supports modern communication standards and has good bandwidth. This will be one of the guarantees of a stable and fast connection to the Internet through the router.

Operating System Compatibility

There is no need to worry about compatibility with operating systems, because modern adapters support operating systems from Windows XP (currently not supported by Microsoft), Windows Vista, 7, 8, 8.1, 10. This means that the module contains drivers for all of these systems. This is always indicated on the packaging and in the documentation of the models. Almost all modules support MacOS, but Linux will need to be configured.

Testing Wi-Fi adapters

Among the tested adapters, TP-Link Archer T9UH was deemed the best. This AC1900 adapter offers the best balance between price and signal gain. The Netgear Nighthawk adapter is even more powerful, but also more expensive. Other adapters are cheaper, but didn't give you a better connection.

The focus of the tests was on signal strength and loss of speed when the laptop moves quickly from one location to another.

In terms of signal clarity improvements, the more expensive adapters with better specifications performed better. The chart shows how each Wi-Fi 5 adapter, on average, affected net 5 GHz signal strength on the laptop at the four test locations considered.

What users may be most interested in is the incoming connection speed where there were previously problems with Wi-Fi. In the tests, these two locations were in the office (poor speed) and by the elevator (even worse). The chart shows how the adapters affected the speeds in these two locations compared to the speeds directly from the router. The Y-axis goes down, so a higher point means better performance and less speed loss.

TrashExpert's ranking of Wi-Fi adapters

TP-Link Archer T9UH

The TP-Link Archer T9UH (AC1900) has the best overall performance of all the adapters tested. As a result, the home office wall is almost transparent to the signal. The T9UH is 12.5mm thick and 87.5mm long when closed, and about 150mm tall when open. You can connect it directly to a laptop or use the included USB 3.0 cradle. The small blue LED on the adapter indicates that it is working.

The 5 GHz 802.11ac network averaged an 11 dB improvement in four locations, and had the smallest overall speed loss. There were times when the speeds in the office were faster than those near the router. This could depend on the load from the other users. This shows that the T9UH is capable of getting through the wall. The adapter didn't work too well on the 2.4 GHz network and refused to connect to it more than a couple of meters away, so don't use the 2.4 GHz network with it. It is good for boosting a 5 GHz signal. The T9UH was the winner among the tested adapters.

2. D-Link DWA-X1850 Wi-Fi 6

The first USB adapter on Wi-Fi 6 extends the 2.4 GHz range, but does not give record peak speeds. Testing the D-Link AX1850 with Wi-Fi 6 router and measuring its signal strength showed theoretical advantages over Wi-Fi 5. Maybe because this AX1800 device is slightly slower than its AC1900 competitors, these advantages did not translate into higher data transfer speeds over a distance.

3. Netgear Nighthawk AC1900

Technical characteristics of adapters

The main difference between different adapters is in the standard used for networks. Modern routers operate on a frequency of 2.4 GHz standard 802.11.N, respectively, wi-fi adapter must meet this criteria and work on these frequencies. More advanced routers work on 5 GHz and 802.11 AC, but they are still rare. In addition, they require an Internet connection from a good ISP that provides high connection speeds. If this is your case, it is worth buying just such an adapter. Otherwise, it is not worth overpaying for unnecessary standards.

Be sure to look at the adapter's antenna power. It should be at least 20 dBM. Otherwise, the signal will be poor and unstable, causing the quality of your Internet connection to suffer. The more power, the farther away the signal source can be from the computer and the better the connection will be.

Adapters may differ in maximum network bandwidth, which affects internet speed. For example, cheap USB adapters can work at speeds of up to 150 MB/second, and if your provider gives you faster Internet, you should consider buying an adapter with higher bandwidth.

Some adapters have additional modes of operation that allow you to connect one computer to another and create a wireless local area network. Some USB adapters come with mini extenders and antennas to help catch the signal. All of these features are far from necessary, but can be useful in some cases. If you have an unlimited budget, it makes sense to pay attention to them.

How to choose a Wi-Fi adapter for your computer

It may seem that the Wi-Fi adapter is a very simple device, and it is not difficult to choose it. In fact, you should be very serious when choosing a Wi-Fi adapter, because the quality of your computer's Internet connection, its download speed and stability depend on it. A bad Wi-Fi adapter can prevent the router and therefore the Internet from reaching its full potential. Also it is not uncommon to have problems with the quality of connection, the appearance of high latency (ping) and other problems due to the adapter.

First of all, determine your needs and capabilities. If you do not have the fastest Internet at home, it makes sense to buy an ordinary inexpensive USB adapter, which will not affect the quality of the connection in any way. As a bonus, you save money and get the opportunity to connect the adapter to any computer, even one that is not in your house. If your ISP provides you with high-speed Internet with unlimited traffic, then it makes sense to buy a PCI Express adapter. It will unlock the full potential of your Internet and transmit the signal to your PC without delay.

Also you should be guided by your budget. Additional features are useful, but not always. Sometimes it can make sense to buy a simple adapter that is fully capable of meeting your needs rather than buying a stationary USB adapter with an extension cord and external antenna.

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