usb wireless

[chico4554]

im looking into getting a usb wireless antenna for my hp desktop computer. It is running vista home premium and was wondering what would be a decent antenna to get. Thanks.

 

[Ranger#1]

well i havent seen a usb wifi thongle with extearnal antenna capabilites but if you see one snag it also make sure x2 its capabole with vista
ps how do you like vista i think its kick ass

 

[MAKG]

Why would you want a USB wireless for a desktop, when a proper PCI card with an external antenna connection can be bought for $20?

I could see the attraction for a notebook, but this is a desktop.

 

[mjonesjr]

Why would you want a USB wireless for a desktop, when a proper PCI card with an external antenna connection can be bought for $20?

I could see the attraction for a notebook, but this is a desktop.

I couldn't agree more. i have on in one of my 2 desktops and it works great.

 

[superdave1984]

Why would you want a USB wireless for a desktop, when a proper PCI card with an external antenna connection can be bought for $20?

I could see the attraction for a notebook, but this is a desktop.

Only reason I could see would be if he had both a desktop and a laptop and wanted one that he could swap back and forth instead of buying two.

 

[fastpakr]

Try this. $20 and you can put any SMA antenna on it that you want.

 

[chico4554]

i just figured this would be the cheapest option to get wireless quickly. I dont know too much about all the different components available for wireless. If I was to get a pci card how is it installed?

 

[srteach]

i just figured this would be the cheapest option to get wireless quickly. I dont know too much about all the different components available for wireless. If I was to get a pci card how is it installed?

Putting a PCI card in a desktop involves turning off the comp, opening the case, and putting the card into the PCI slot properly. You then start the comp up and insert the disk that came with the card. Very easy if you follow the instructions that should be (better be) included. Generally, you get better reception with a PCI card than with a USB dongle, and you don't have to worry about breaking the USB part, which will stick out.
If you have a laptop also and want to be able to connect without buying double hardware, a usb dongle is the choice.

 

[fastpakr]

Take a look at the USB option I linked above. Its antenna will give you as much gain as an equivalent PCI card and save you opening the case, if that's something you're uncomfortable with. The other potential advantage of a USB adapter is that you can run an extension cable to place the adapter in a better spot for reception if that's an issue.

 

[samsonitesamsonite]

What type of Internet service are you running? With USB you won't be able to connect any faster that 4 mbps

 

[fastpakr]

What type of Internet service are you running? With USB you won't be able to connect any faster that 4 mbps

 

[samsonitesamsonite]

USB speed tops out at 4 mbps. A PCI card with an external antenna connection will allow much higher speed. At work I instll 20.0 mbps internet all the time. It's very common to go on a trouble call for speed issues when the customer is hooked up via USB, most do not realized that USB severely limits the speed.

 

[fastpakr]

That's simply not true. Whatever issue you're running into is NOT as simple as a USB speed limit of 4mb/s. USB 2.0 is actually spec'd at 480mb/s. While you may not actually see anything that high, I assure you that it can far outstrip anything coming down a high speed home internet connection. You're seeing a different problem.

 

[samsonitesamsonite]

I'm not saying you're wrong, but this is the info passed down from our Tier 2 Tech support, and our regional trainers. Wireless aside. I have seen first hand the difference in a computer hooked up with a 10.0 mbps service when connected with USB or an ethernet. Hooked up to the USB, speedtests almost have ALWAYS run 4-5 mbps while Ethernet is running 10-11 mbps.

And hooked up wirelessly, USB adapters do the same when compared with an internal card.

 

[fastpakr]

Then there is an issue with the cable modem you're using. Is it USB 1.1? Something is VERY wrong there. USB external hard drives work just fine at up to 30-40 mB/s (240-320mb/s). If you're only seeing 4mb/s, then something is not functioning like it should.