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usb stick wireless nic - any good??

13 years ago

Are those little USB Stick wireless network devices any good?

Right now I'm using a USB network device for my laptop.

It has a cord that goes to a little box with an antenna.

The box is about the size of a deck of cards.

I'm thinking about a 4 port hub and a USB stick NIC.

But are they any good?? What kind of range can I get??

Thanks.

Pooh Bear

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Comments (11)

justme4now
13 years ago
I'm using a NetGear USB wireless dongle on my system and have been for years.

(My better half's pc is in another room and has the NetGear router.)

I have no complaints and my speeds are as good as her speeds too!
justme4now
13 years ago
a wireless adapter!

Netgear wg111v2 wireless (thingy) 8)
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Pooh Bear
Original Author
13 years ago
I was thinking of something like this. (link below)

Pooh Bear

Here is a link that might be useful: Belkin Wireless USB Network Adapter
ravencajun Zone 8b TX
13 years ago
yes they are ok, actually using it with a hub would allow you some movement of it which can be helpful to get the best signal, being able to move it around on the desk can help, when plugged right into the usb port on the laptop or pc you have to just use it in place.
jane__ny
13 years ago
I've been using them for years with no problem. I use one on a desktop, which is far from my router and a laptop which travels around the house and office.

Jane
justme4now
13 years ago
I don't know about a hub but I have an 'extension' cable (about 6 feet long) that hooks onto my adapter and the other end plugs into my usb port.
Allows me to set the wireless adapter almost anywhere.
homebound
13 years ago
My experience is that their range is not that great. And if your signal is on the weak side, you end up being concerned about every little antenna movement that disrupts the signal.
justme4now
13 years ago
My pc (and adapter) is Way on the other side of the house and upstairs from the other pc. (The one with the modem)

My speed is as fast as the main pc and I have never really had any problems.

I am on Verizon dsl if that means anything?

I really love the Netgear modem and adapter.
Pooh Bear
Original Author
13 years ago
Right now the computer is less than 5 feet from the router.
We did an experiment once where I went to a neighbor's house
which is 1000 feet across a clear hay field and used her
laptop to see how far it could pick up the signal. We got
a real good signal in her back yard (about 900 feet).
Her laptop had wireless built into it.
So I'm getting a good strong signal here at home.
If I ever travel anywhere I'd like to know what to expect.

Pooh Bear
ilmbg
13 years ago
wow- 900 ft! I use wireless satellite in Wyoming and the router is at the other end of the house, upstairs. If I am downstairs in the basement I still get a fast, perfect link. Better than the Cricket I use in the winter down south!
ravencajun Zone 8b TX
13 years ago
I am on comcast high speed, I can take my netbook out in my back yard and get a good signal, I pick up my neighbors network all the time several of them in fact and they can see mine too of course we all have the strongest security set up on them so no one can get in.

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