Wireless adapter for desktop computer

Wi-Fi 6 Performance. AX Speeds. WPA3 Encryption. Tech Sense Design.

GameSpot may receive revenue from affiliate and advertising partnerships for sharing this content and from purchases through links. It's rare to find a laptop or desktop computer that doesn't already have a Wi-Fi card built into the machine. But there are budget computers out there that don't have them, and there are lots of people now who want to build their own PC and just don't include one. Or hey, maybe the wi-fi chip on your computer just broke--it happens. The simplest solution to this is a Wi-Fi adapter, which plugs into your USB port and allows your device to connect to the internet via a Wi-Fi connection. Very simple and easy to use.

Wireless adapter for desktop computer

A USB adapter offers one of the easiest ways to add Wi-Fi access to a device, whether you have a new desktop PC that lacks built-in Wi-Fi or need to improve the existing wireless connection in a desktop or laptop. This USB adapter may look a little like a gaming accessory, but it provides a steady, no-nonsense Wi-Fi 6 connection to your network. It has an excellent two-year warranty, though it lacks some of the features that more expensive adapters boast, such as Wi-Fi 6 support. In our tests, it posted the top speed scores all over our test home, significantly outperforming other Wi-Fi adapters. Prior to writing for a living, Joel was an IT tech and system administrator for small, medium, and large companies. He did this so he could connect to the internet from his desk, his couch, and his bed a rarity for the late s. We immediately disqualified We placed the Asus router in the family room on the first floor of our 2,square-foot test home, where the internet enters the house. We placed the Dell laptop at two testing points within the home. The close-range test location was within line of sight of the router, 7 to 8 feet away. The long-range testing location was in a basement corner bathroom on the other side of the home, about 75 feet away, with the underground foundation of the house on two sides of the room; the signal to the bathroom had to pass through the floor and several walls. We measured the throughput at both locations and used that data to determine our picks. And as with all our picks, we had no problems with dropped connections on this adapter during testing. We recommend the MSI AX for most people who want to add a Wi-Fi connection to a laptop or desktop without having to open up and tinker inside the machine.

Good, compact case and sturdy build quality: Both will help you enjoy using your USB adapter. Upgrade pick. We chose that spot in the bathroom specifically because it helped us test Wi-Fi 6E extenders —it has just too many walls in wireless adapter for desktop computer way for Wi-Fi 6E to reach.

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GameSpot may receive revenue from affiliate and advertising partnerships for sharing this content and from purchases through links. It's rare to find a laptop or desktop computer that doesn't already have a Wi-Fi card built into the machine. But there are budget computers out there that don't have them, and there are lots of people now who want to build their own PC and just don't include one. Or hey, maybe the wi-fi chip on your computer just broke--it happens. The simplest solution to this is a Wi-Fi adapter, which plugs into your USB port and allows your device to connect to the internet via a Wi-Fi connection. Very simple and easy to use.

Wireless adapter for desktop computer

The best wireless adaptors remain incredibly useful even in , as they can allow pretty much any device to connect to a Wi-Fi network. While most modern devices have Wi-Fi built in, there are many that don't such as PCs and set-top boxes. Even though an increasing number of PCs now have Wi-Fi connectivity built into their motherboards, you may find that the connection isn't great, and an external USB wireless adaptor can help improve your wireless connection. As for the best laptops , while they will have Wi-Fi connectivity, you may still want to invest in a wireless adaptor. For example, it's an affordable way to add newer Wi-Fi technology, such as Wi-Fi 6 , without any costly upgrades - all you need to do is plug in an adapter. Using a USB extension cable can also help you fine-tune the wireless reception for even better performance. You should also consider one of the best USB-C docks if you have multiple devices. Find out more about how we test. Netgear is a trusted brand when it comes to networking kit, and its Nighthawk range has an enviable reputation for offering brilliant performance, so it's little surprise to find the AC Wi-Fi sitting at the top of our best wireless adaptors list.

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The rest of the pack lagged significantly behind, measuring from 30 Mbps to 67 Mbps. WPA3 Encryption. It's rare to find a laptop or desktop computer that doesn't already have a Wi-Fi card built into the machine. We placed the Asus router in the family room on the first floor of our 2,square-foot test home, where the internet enters the house. This USB adapter may look a little like a gaming accessory, but it provides a steady, no-nonsense Wi-Fi 6 connection to your network. Wi-Fi 7 routers are just being introduced and are still uncommon. AX Speeds. There are a few important things to keep in mind when returning a product you purchased. We recommend the MSI AX for most people who want to add a Wi-Fi connection to a laptop or desktop without having to open up and tinker inside the machine. One-Click Driver Install Pre-loaded drivers for quick and simple one-click installation. And since these adapters stick out from the side of a laptop, we looked for sturdy antennas and bodies that would survive occasional contact. Previously he tested and reviewed more than a thousand PCs and tech devices for PCMag and other sites over 17 years. N Wireless Desktop Adapter. Joel Santo Domingo is a senior staff writer covering networking and storage at Wirecutter.

Choosing the right Wi-Fi adapter can upgrade a subpar wireless connection to one that rivals an Ethernet connection. Whether you need to upgrade your laptop Wi-Fi or add wireless capabilities to your desktop tower, we've picked out the best adapters for you. Wi-Fi adapters look like relatively simple devices, but as you start to look at available adapters, you quickly learn that there are many configurations available.

Using wires in your network can improve performance for your entire wireless network, not just the things that you connect wires to. But if you just need an internet connection to watch videos on YouTube or read an ebook, then the TP-Link N gets the job done. Tech Sense Design. The Nighthawk A, our new upgrade pick, is faster, more capable, and less expensive. The other models we tested either require you to download the driver using another Wi-Fi connection, make you find an optical drive for an included CD, or gamble that Windows has compatible Wi-Fi drivers preloaded. In the fast Mbps full-duplex mode, the card's embedded flow control provides a means to protect your data against possible loss during transmission on the network. And since these adapters stick out from the side of a laptop, we looked for sturdy antennas and bodies that would survive occasional contact. But there are budget computers out there that don't have them, and there are lots of people now who want to build their own PC and just don't include one. Say no more; you want the TP-Link N Upgrade your desktop PC in seconds to Wi-Fi 6 capabilities and open up a new world of lag-free 4K streaming, low-latency gaming and breakneck download speeds. Good, compact case and sturdy build quality: Both will help you enjoy using your USB adapter. He did this so he could connect to the internet from his desk, his couch, and his bed a rarity for the late s. View Full Article 24 Aug