Back to my purchases. I decided not to buy expensive models as a test. Just in case some strange thing would come and I would have wasted my money.
How to choose a Wi-Fi adapter for PC (desktop computer)
If you have a regular desktop computer, and the Internet is connected via Wi-Fi router, then there are at least two ways that you can connect your PC to the router.
- With a network cable. In this case there is one big minus and one big plus. The minus is that you have to run a network cable from the router to the computer. And if the router is installed near the PC, this is not a problem. But it is not always possible to pull the cable. It is not always convenient and beautiful. Well, the advantage is that the connection via cable is more stable, and the speed of the Internet will be higher.
- By Wi-Fi network, using a special adapter. In desktop computers, as a rule, there are no built-in Wi-Fi adapters, and to connect your PC to a wireless network, you need to buy, install and configure this adapter. It is not a problem, but it is an additional expense. But no wires. I wrote about this in an article: how to connect a normal computer (PC) to a Wi-Fi network.
In this article, we will understand in detail what are the Wi-Fi adapters for PC, what to pay attention to when choosing, and how to choose the right adapter for a desktop computer. It should be noted that the USB adapters, which will be discussed in this article, can be used on laptop computers, as well without any problems. If the built-in module is broken, or does not work for some other reason.
And while you choose a Wi-Fi adapter, you can use an Android mobile device instead. How to configure it all, I wrote in the article Android phone as a Wi-Fi adapter for the computer.
Perhaps you have another router, then you can try to set it up as a receiver using these instructions.
What kind of Wi-Fi adapters are there? Deciding on a connection interface
The first thing I advise you to do is to choose the interface the adapter will use to connect to the desktop computer. The most popular ones are USB and PCI Express. There is also PCMCIA (mostly for laptops), but they are not very actual anymore, so we will not look at them. Let us deal in detail with the receivers, which are connected via USB and PCI.
- Interface: USB. They are also called external. The most popular Wi-Fi adapters that look like an ordinary flash drive. They come in all kinds of shapes and sizes. Very small (like a receiver for a wireless mouse or keyboard), about the size of a flash drive, or more serious versions, which are connected via a USB extension cord. These receivers can be with or without antennas. They look something like this:
These receivers plug into the USB connector on your computer. For better reception (to raise the adapter higher), you can connect it via a USB extension cable. Some models come with extenders. You can use them on different computers and laptops. Quickly disconnect and reconnect. If you choose a receiver just for a regular computer and not a laptop, it is better to get a model with an antenna, or one that connects via an extension cord. For better reception of the Wi-Fi network. The miniature model (the first one in the picture above) is best suited for laptops. - Interface: PCI Express. These are internal receivers. They are similar to a normal network card, and plug into a PCI Express port on your computer's motherboard.
To install such an adapter, your computer must have a free PCI Express (PCI Express x1) slot. You will also need to hide the system unit. Well, as you understand, you can not quickly disconnect and connect such a receiver to another PC. The same way as to raise it on an extension cord for better reception. Although, they shouldn't have any problems with reception, all models have good antennas for its enhancement. Of the pluses: it does not take a USB port and does not stick out of the system unit (only the antennae) . Which, by the way, can be replaced by a more powerful, or remote. - M.2 interface. It is the newest and most modern way to connect a Wi-Fi+Bluetooth module to the motherboard of the PC. Almost all modern motherboards are equipped with multiple M.2 connectors. The presence of this interface on your motherboard does not mean that you can plug a wireless module into it. The M.2 connector must be Key A, or Key E. This information is always included in the motherboard specifications. The connector itself may say M.2 WiFi.
There is, however, one tricky part. Since these Wi-Fi modules are designed mainly for installation in laptops (where the wires are already brought out for connection of built-in laptop antennas) , on M.2 Wi-Fi PC module can work, but do not see Wi-Fi networks. All due to a lack of antennas. Rarely come with antennas. But you can buy them and connect them to the board separately. They look something like this: 
There is, however, one tricky part. Since these Wi-Fi modules are designed mainly for installation in laptops (where the wires are already brought out for connection of built-in laptop antennas) , on M.2 Wi-Fi PC module can work, but do not see Wi-Fi networks. All due to a lack of antennas. Rarely come with antennas. But you can buy them and connect them to the board separately. They look something like this:
How I chose Wi-Fi adapters on AliExpress and what I ordered
On Aliexpress in the search box you type in "Wi-Fi adapter". You can also go to "Wi-Fi adapter", or go to the section "Network Cards" and on the left side in the settings of the filter set the parameters of the device you want.
I have chosen two of the most popular ones, and in my opinion, the best ones. Of the inexpensive ones. Each adapter has a lot of orders and reviews.
And so, I bought one with an antenna. It does not have a name, as far as I understand. On the adapter itself it says "easy idea wifi n.". This model has a removable antenna. It costs about 4 dollars. Very modest specifications. Speed up to 150 Mbps, and a 2dB antenna. Came in a bag. Adapter, antenna, and driver disk. They didn't even put the CD in the envelope. Just laying around with the adapter in the bag 🙂 .
What about the quality? Not great. Like $4. Assembly and plastic, including the antenna for three. But it's an adapter, it's plugged in and forgotten. Chipset RT or MTK21 NOV. If it matters to you, then look at the characteristics of a particular adapter, or check with the seller.
The second adapter EDUP (802.11N) . In Chinese stores there are a lot of different adapters from the manufacturer EDUP. There are different models. I ordered one of the cheapest. For three dollars. It is a compact Wi-Fi receiver, which I recommend to buy only for laptops. For desktop computers, it is better to get one with an antenna. Especially if the router is far away from the PC. The package also includes a disk with drivers.
The assembly is not bad. It can be rated B. Maybe because the adapter is very small, and because of that the case seems more reliable. I did not pay attention to the crooked inscriptions and other small things. The speed is also up to 150 Mbps. Powered by the chipset MTK7601 (MediaTek). It is listed on the CD with the drivers.
My review and opinion of Wi-Fi receivers from China
Of course, to start it would be good to work through such an adapter for a few weeks, check many different models, test them under load, check the speed in different conditions, etc. But to be honest, I have no desire to do that.
Both adapters I tested, of course. Both work, that's already good 🙂 In Windows 10 everything worked immediately, without installing drivers. As soon as I plugged the adapter into a USB port, the computer immediately saw the available Wi-Fi networks. This was very nice. It is clear that in Windows XP, Windows 7, 8, and even in some cases on 10 you will have to install drivers manually.
Many people do not order such equipment from China, because they are afraid of driver problems.. But in most cases this is not a problem. Because the driver is installed either from the disk, which is often included, or downloaded from the Internet. You can find it by the ID of the equipment. I think to prepare a separate material on this topic.
When checking, at first sight the "easy idea wifi N" adapter (the one with an antenna) is not inferior to TP-Link Archer T2UH. The level of omen is the same. The speed is the same. True, it is limited to 25 Mbit/s at my place. Yes, most likely a nameless adapter from AliExpress will lose to the adapter from TP-Link in reliability and speed (if you have it at 100 Mbps) . But it is six times cheaper!
On the second one, which is from EDUP, I did not really like the reception level. Very bad signal. And because of that the speed is low. It's understandable, it has no antenna. But in the area of a more stable signal works pretty well.
In our stores Wi-Fi adapters with the same characteristics of Tenda, Edimax, Mercusys, TP-LINK, D-Link at a cost will be about two or three times more expensive.
Conclusions
The devices work. In the kit is the driver (I can not say for all models and different sellers), in Windows 10 is likely to work right after connecting. At first glance no worse (at least not much worse) than more expensive, branded adapters. The price is about half as much compared to the models from popular manufacturers.
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