Now for wireless connection to the Internet, most laptops and phones are initially equipped with a WiFi adapter. If the computer does not initially have a built-in WiFi adapter, then you can buy it separately and it will work just as well.

First, let's figure out what a WiFi adapter is and what a wifi adapter is for.

WiFi adapter is designed for wireless transmission data. Using a WiFi adapter, the user connects to the Internet. The use of WiFi makes the user's work at the computer more convenient.

And in this case, it does not matter whether we are talking about a desktop computer or a laptop. Agree yourself that getting tangled in wires is always very inconvenient. A wireless usb wifi adapter is very convenient in this regard. wifi connection adapter in this case occurs through USB port.

Various models of WiFi adapters are currently used for older models of computers and laptops. Thus, older models also have the ability to wirelessly connect.

The appearance of modern WiFi adapters resembles a flash drive, they are just as compact and, like flash drives, are connected via a USB port. But unlike a flash drive, a wireless usb wifi adapter can be equipped with an antenna.

WiFi adapter models can be with different versions of WiFi protocols. How fast and reliable a WiFi connection will be directly depends on how a new version WiFi protocol.

The cost of WiFi adapters will also depend on how new the WiFi protocol version is. The newer, the more expensive.

Most modern laptops and other mobile devices are equipped with Wi-Fi receivers that allow you to connect to wireless networks. However, this does not always apply to stationary PCs, which are designed for a wired connection due to their characteristics. But for many users, it is vital to connect a stationary computer to Wi-Fi - this allows you to get rid of laying wires during the finished repair, as well as increase the convenience of interaction between various devices on the same network.

To do this, it is not at all necessary to purchase a PC with a built-in module. wireless communication- it is enough to install an additional receiver. We will look at what Wi-Fi adapters for computers are, what they can be technical specifications, as well as which specific models should be preferred.

Any desktop computer can be upgraded for Wi-Fi

First of all, it is worth deciding which interface you will use to connect the adapter to the computer. The most popular portable receiver with a USB plug. In size, such devices do not differ from large flash drives, so you can even carry them in your pocket or on a key ring. Adapters using USB interface, ideal for people who often use various computers and laptops, as they are designed to be reconnected frequently. However, such a receiver has a very serious disadvantage - models with external antennas are extremely rare, so the range of the wireless connection will be minimal.

Also, the adapter can be connected to the connector PCI Express, which is located on motherboard computer. In fact, such a receiver is network card for a computer with the ability to work in a normal wireless network. The PCI Express interface provides better power supply to the module, so it will be easy to connect a PC to Wi-Fi, even if the router is far enough away. Built-in adapters usually have internal or external high-power antennas, so the user will not have any serious problems with the quality of the connection.

For a laptop or a modern Net-top computer, you can purchase a receiver that is installed in the PCMCIA “expansion slot” or its analogues from various manufacturers electronic technology. Such a Wi-Fi adapter looks like an oblong card, devoid of any protrusions (like the model with a USB plug, it can be carried in your pocket). The unequivocal advantage of the PCMCIA interface is the ability to install an additional module without restarting the computer, as well as the absence of protruding parts, unlike USB adapters. However, the problems remain the same - the built-in antenna cannot provide stable reception of information on long distance from the router.

Technical specifications

Most people make the mistake of buying a Wi-Fi receiver for desktop computer. They are sure that all devices, without exception, use the standard parameters, so there are no significant differences between them. This is absolutely wrong, because adapters differ in signal strength, on which the quality of reception at a sufficiently large distance depends. A normal figure for a modern home and an average office is 20 dBM. If it is lower, with the help of such a device it will be possible to connect a PC to a Wi-Fi network only in a small apartment.

The gain of the antenna is also important - the higher it is, the larger the reception radius the computer will have. However, you should not rely on sky-high values, since such adapters will be expensive, and besides, they will consume too much energy. To connect a PC to a wireless network via a USB receiver, you should choose a model with a gain of 2 dBi, and for a built-in device with an external antenna, you need to focus on an indicator of 5 dBi.

Finally, you need to pay close attention to the wireless standards that the adapter supports. You should immediately abandon devices using connection protocols B or G - they provide data transfer at a speed of no higher than 16 Mbps. Despite the frank obsolescence of such communication standards, many manufacturers still produce USB receivers that support them. It is worth buying such models only in one case - when you are looking for cheap device which you will rarely use.

To connect a computer to the global network for enough high speed, select N standard adapter - its limit throughput reaches 300 Mbps. Practice shows that this is quite enough for watching movies online, downloading large multimedia files, as well as Internet surfing and other purposes. And only if you will use a PC to work with professional applications or for cutting-edge online games, you will need to buy an AC standard receiver that can transmit up to 10 gigabits per second. It is almost useless to look for USB adapters that support Wi-Fi AC - they are quite expensive and are usually available as built-in modules.

Remember that it is useless to purchase a receiver that does not comply with the Wi-Fi standard used by your router. Even if you buy latest device, using a high-speed data transfer protocol, a type G router will not allow you to connect your computer to the Internet at a speed of more than 16 Mbps. Therefore, before buying an adapter, it is worth taking a look at the characteristics of your existing wireless network.

Top Models

External receiver

To connect a PC to a wireless network, you should choose the D-Link DWA-127 receiver. Unlike many analogues that use the USB interface, it is equipped with a full-size antenna, which provides excellent signal amplification. Thanks to this, the adapter can work at any distance from the router without a drop in data transfer speed. Of course, for a USB receiver, an external antenna is not only an advantage, but also a significant disadvantage - it will be inconvenient to carry it in your pocket. However, when connected to a stationary PC, this problem is unlikely to be relevant.

An adapter that supports the N data transfer standard is a reasonable solution, given its widespread use in modern electronics and the limited bandwidth of the USB 2.0 interface. Its case contains a WPS key designed to connect to a router in automatic mode. Such a device will be ideal for a modern computer equipped with a sufficient number of USB ports - it provides a stable connection and does not require any effort to install.

Embedded model

The phrase "Cheap and cheerful" is the best way to describe the ASUS PCI-N10 adapter. This model costs approximately 800–1000 rubles, but in terms of its parameters it is not inferior to analogues with a price that is 3–5 times higher. The main advantage of the device is the use of a special technology that allows you to install it as a virtual router, to which you can connect another computer or mobile device. This scheme is often used by small businesses - to expand the reception radius of a Wi-Fi network, not expensive routers are used, but adapters for desktop computers.

The device supports the N data transfer standard and provides connection speeds up to 300 Mbps. The PCI Express connector has a sufficiently large bandwidth, so there will be no delays when viewing multimedia content online. The user can connect the computer to a wireless network using any type of data encryption. On the back of the adapter is a WPS button for automated connection to the router.

For laptops

Of course, most laptops are equipped with built-in Wi-Fi communication modules and do not need to install an additional adapter, but there are exceptions. Examples are mobile workstations, as well as specialized mobile computers, which are designed to perform a limited range of functions. Especially for them, the D-Link DWA-645 PCMCIA card was developed, which uses the N data transfer standard, providing a connection speed of up to 300 Mbps. It has a relatively low cost - approximately 700–850 rubles, which makes it accessible to every user.

The D-Link DWA-645 user has access to a proprietary application that allows you to analyze the Wi-Fi networks used, determining connections with the best speed. In addition, with its help it is possible to choose the optimal wireless channel, its width and other parameters for the router. RangeBooster N technology significantly increases the range of stable signal reception in comparison with similar devices. The transmitter power is 17 dBM, which is an excellent indicator for a compact device that is built into a laptop or desktop PC. The adapter can be recommended to anyone who needs a stable connection to a wireless network, but does not want to use receivers with large antennas protruding outwards.

Modern options

For users who appreciate the multifunctionality of any device, combo adapters are now being produced. They provide a stable wireless connection that complies with the Wi-Fi and Bluetooth standard, and also supports Miralink, Apple AirPlay and many others. In addition, there are often adapters in stores that are designed to establish a direct connection with mobile devices without the participation of a router - they are created using WiMax technology or WiFi Direct. However, only users who own several mobile devices, as well as home electronics that are controlled via wireless communication, can find the point in acquiring them. In other cases, it is better to give preference to the options described above, since they combine such advantages as practicality, economy and ease of installation.

Nearly all devices these days are wireless. WiFi internet. But there is a separate niche of devices on the market that are not equipped with wireless Internet - these are personal computers. WiFi devices are required to connect them to the wireless Internet. WiFi on a computer may be required in several cases:

• In the House there is wireless Internet, for example, on a smartphone or tablet, and it must be connected to a PC that does not have WiFi;
• The computer already has Internet, but I want to distribute it throughout the apartment in order to save time and money on an additional tariff.

What is a WiFi adapter

The WiFi adapter is used to implement the wireless network function on devices that do not support WiFi. It allows the computer to receive a signal from the wireless network. Now there are two types of adapters: the first can only receive a signal, the second can work in receive mode and in signal transmission mode. Adapters with built-in SoftAP function allow you to create a WiFi hotspot on your computer.

How to choose an adapter

At choosing WiFi adapter, it is important to consider the connection method. There are so-called USB adapters that are very easy to use as they are easy to remove and plug into another computer. There are adapters that use PCI interface-E. This is a set of chips that are inserted into special slots in the system unit. Before buying such an adapter, first of all, you need to check the system unit for free PCI-E slots where you can connect the device.

One of the most important criteria in choosing an adapter is the WiFi standard. Today the accepted standard wireless communication is 802.11n, guaranteeing fast data transmission up to 300 Mbps. In addition, there are new communication standards such as 802.11ac. This latest standard can transfer data from 3000 Mbps to 10 Gbps. But for home use, there is no need to pay extra money for speed, since 300 Mbps is enough.

It is also worth paying attention to the transceiver. The recommended transmitter power is 20 dBM. If the original transmitter power is lower, then the signal will be very weak, even if the Internet source is within the apartment.

If the appearance of the adapter is not too important, then you can purchase an adapter with an external antenna. It is able to receive a signal much better, but has large dimensions. In addition, there are devices with removable external antennas.

At choosing WiFi adapter should pay attention to their frequency. Manufacturers started producing 5 GHz devices, but 2.4 GHz adapters are still common today.

It is also worth paying attention to the presence of the SoftAP function in the adapter. It is recommended to purchase adapters from the same company as the routers that are in the house, as their compatibility will be much better. This will help to avoid various kinds of connection problems.

The adapter is installed in a special slot on the computer. After installation, the adapter must be configured - install the necessary for work software to implement wireless transmission data. The driver can be installed from the disk that is included with the device, or by downloading from the official website. After installing the driver, you need to configure the network, select the desired parameters and access points.

Types of adapters

External WiFi adapters

By appearance such adapters resemble a USB stick. Price standard USB adapter is in the aisles from 700 to 1000 rubles. If you search well, you can find devices in the range of 300-400 rubles. This adapter can be connected to a conventional USB port or to a USB cable.

Internal WiFi adapters

To connect such an adapter to a computer, you will have to disassemble the system unit a little. Adapters are very easy to connect, and they are much larger than external adapters.

Many people are afraid that when switching to WiFi, the speed of downloading files will drop dramatically, but in reality this is not the case. As a rule, each WiFi adapter has its own throughput. Let's say the Internet connection speed is 1 Mb / s, and the bandwidth of the adapter is 54 Mb / s. Based on these data, we can conclude that the Internet speed will not drop, because the adapter's bandwidth is much higher.

Wi-Fi Card-Bus adapters

These adapters are designed for laptops and PDAs that have a dedicated PCCard slot. Such adapters have a built-in antenna, they are very compact and do not require lengthy setup.

WiFi adapter D-linkDWA 525:

The cost of this model is at the level of 500-700 rubles. The characteristics of the model are as follows:

• Supported wireless standards: 802.11b, 802.11g, 802.11n
• Maximum data transfer rate: 150 Mbps
• Connection interface: PCI
• Supported security technologies: WEP, WPA, WPA2
• Number of external antennas: 1 removable antenna with R-SMA connector

WiFi adapter ASUS PCI-N10

The cost of this adapter is at the level of 500-600 rubles.

Adapter standard 802.11n, has a PCI interface. It allows you to connect a personal computer to wireless Internet networks. The adapter can be installed in any 32-bit slot.

Specifications:

• Encryption support 64/128-bit WEP, WPA2-PSK, WPA-PSK, WPS;
• WPS button (Wi-FiProtectedSetup) - quick setup of a secure connection;
• The Software AP allows the WLAN adapter to act as a virtual access point.
• Standard 802.11n (150 Mbps) with PCI interface.

Modern USBWiFi adapters provide wireless signals from access points, routers and other devices. Many computers and laptops are already equipped with a WiFi function, but if it is not available, you can use a usb adapter. These devices are in their own way appearance similar to small flash drives, but they have different specifications.

You should also take a closer look at the parameters that characterize the power of the antenna (ideally, at least 20 decibels). Thanks to this, it will be possible to clearly capture even the most weak signals. The presence of a connector for external antenna will be an added benefit. The antenna can be purchased as a separate device or as a kit.

In some adapter models, two antennas can be raised during operation, which will enhance the signal quality and increase the data transfer rate. You can purchase compact models in which the antennas are built into the body of the device itself. The body should preferably have ventilation holes through which heat will be dissipated. Due to the absence of such holes, the quality of the device may deteriorate greatly.

The main characteristics of the adapter can be found on its packaging. The front side contains information that lists the standards that the device supports, special abilities for quick setup adapter, as well as the choice of protection method. In addition, one of the most important points is to support multiple connection modes between two computers.

One of the most popular models on the market today are D-Link DWA-127 and D-Link DWA-566 adapters.

The DWA-127 adapter has a built-in antenna providing a large area wireless connection, and a dedicated WPS hardware button for auto tuning secure WiFi connection. This adapter provides a good connection to standard devices (IEEE 802.11 marked).

The DWA-566 is a wireless adapter that allows high speed connection computer devices to the network. At the same time, there is no need to carry out additional laying of an Ethernet cable. This adapter fits all standard slots (x1/x4/x8/x16), has two removable antennas (with a gain of about 2 dBi), is capable of operating in two bands: at a frequency of 2.4 GHz (marking: IEEE 802.11; b/ g/n) and at 5 GHz (marking: IEEE-802.11; a/n). Due to these conditions, the wireless connection can reach speeds up to 300 Mbps.

These adapters can work with WEP/WPA/WPA2 encryption protocols, are fully compatible with secure wireless networks and provide reliable data security.

The package contains the D-LinkManager WC utility, which allows you to configure convenient settings and saves the most frequently used profiles. The DWA-127 is about $22 and the DWA-566 is about $47.

Setting up a WiFi adapter on a computer

For the initial configuration of the WiFi adapter, you will need the following components:

• The WiFi adapter itself;
• CD with drivers and other software;
• User's manual.

First you need to install the device in the USB port. It is best to use the ports that are on the back side system block, since they are connected to motherboard and are ready to go to work. You can use the ports located on the front side of the system unit, but first make sure that they are in working condition. After the device is connected, a message about the discovery of a new device will appear. Next, you need to install the software and the driver package. You should also install software utilities, they will not be superfluous, since with them you can adjust network parameters and spend more fine tuning. Next, you need to look at the display network connections(icon network connections located at the bottom of the taskbar). The network connections drop-down box will list the devices that are connected to the PC, you must select the one that was installed in this moment. After that, you need to click on the new connection with the left mouse button. In the opened window of available network connections, click on new network to enter a password.

The main mistakes when choosing a WiFi adapter

One of the most common mistakes people who come to the store for a new device is that they unconditionally trust sales assistants. In reality, the seller, as a rule, tries not to sell the model that is best suited for the characteristics, but the one for which he can get his percentage. That is why before buying it is recommended to familiarize yourself with the functionality of the selected models and read reviews about them on the Internet.

Another mistake is that people think all adapters are pretty much the same. In fact different models differ from each other in power, characteristics, even from the same manufacturer.

Many people are sure that there is no need to spend money on expensive devices. Of course, you can buy an inexpensive device, but its power will be much less than that for which you will have to overpay only a few hundred.

In addition, it is also worth noting one of the biggest misconceptions that absolutely all equipment manufactured in China is of poor quality. In fact, the quality of products does not depend on where the manufacturer is located, but on who and from whom exactly ordered the manufacture of these products.

As practice shows, absolutely any user can configure a wireless network. WiFi adapters are reliable devices that are becoming indispensable for people. Buying an adapter can get rid of many inconveniences, such as a large number of wires.

Wireless connection is “gaining momentum” every day and becoming more and more popular. Due to its mobility and openness, wifi will soon completely replace its “wired brother”.

But, as with any device, malfunctions, problems and other “misunderstandings” are possible in wireless networks. In this article, we will analyze how to fix the adapter problem. wireless networks or an access point that occurs both on windows 7/8 and on windows 10.

Wireless network adapter or access point problem windows 7

One of the most common problems is “No connection”, i.e. the router is turned on, the network is configured, but there is no connection.

In this case, the problem with the wireless network adapter may occur for the following reasons:

1. 1. If all indicators on the router are on, but there is no connection, check if the network is available on different devices, such as a phone. If, for example, then the problem lies not in the "wifi adapter" itself - the router, but in the laptop (especially if the list of networks available for connection is empty). To resolve the issue, do the following:

• - if they are outdated, then update accordingly;

1. 2. The network is available, the password is entered, but there is no connection. This situation is possible when the password is entered incorrectly, but the system does not issue an error and saves the network. In this case, to fix the problem with the wireless network adapter or access point, delete the connection and reconnect with the correct security key.
2. 3. One of the most common problems is this. Check your router settings:

In the browser, enter 192.168.1.1: login and password "admin";

If it is enabled, but the problem persists - write down "Statistical IP address";

Also, the solution to the problem of the adapter can be resetting the router settings to factory settings.

1. 4. The network is connected, but the error "No access to the Internet" occurs:

1. 5. Check if it is activated on the router wifi distribution. For example, in this item "Enable wireless connection".

Also, the router interface may indicate “Enable wireless broadcasting”, “Enable router wireless broadcasting” or “Enable SSID broadcasting”.

How do I fix a wireless adapter or access point issue?

Now let's look at what to do if the network is unavailable and the indicators on the router are off.

1. 1. Only one "Power" indicator is lit.

This is the most difficult case. Since this situation clearly indicates physical problems on the router. The only thing you can try is a factory reset or use a different power adapter. If it doesn't help, then it will help service center either refund or repair under warranty.

1. 2. The "WiFi" indicator is off.

First, check if there is a “WiFi” button on the back of the router - it can be recessed into the case (for example, on the “Tp-link TL-MR3220” router). If there is no such button, and the indicator is off, try updating the router firmware. Download latest version firmware from the manufacturer's official website, save it in the router interface backup configurations (to be on the safe side) and update the firmware according to the manufacturer's recommendations.

Otherwise, the problem with the wireless adapter or access point is most likely caused by a physical malfunction of the router.

1. 3. The "WAN" indicator is off.

In the "WAN" connector, the so-called "provider cable" is connected, which provides Internet access. If the indicator is off, the following causes of the problem are possible:

• - cable problem: maybe network cable“broken”, incorrectly crimped connectors or other physical malfunction;
• - a problem on the provider's side or lack of payment for Internet access. The issue is resolved accordingly at the level technical support internet provider.

How to set up a wireless WiFi adapter is a fairly frequently asked question. This is due to the fact that this technology of data transmission over the air is very widespread all over the world. This distribution is due to the extremely simple setup and easy using WiFi networks anywhere, for example, in a cafe, at home, at work, in a shopping center and so on.

As a rule, to connect to the network, the user simply needs to turn on the wireless adapter on a laptop or smartphone. After that, the device will start searching for available connections and offer a list. You just have to select the desired network and connect to it. But, before the adapter starts to work normally, it must be configured. And this is where some difficulties can arise for many.

Equipment pre-configuration

Pre-configuring the wireless WiFi adapter is a software installation. In other words, installing drivers and necessary utilities for working with networks and equipment.

So, if we are talking about a laptop, then all the necessary drivers are available on the disk that was bundled with the computer upon purchase. If this disk is lost and you cannot find it, then you can download everything you need on the official website of the manufacturer, indicating the full name of the laptop model.

If you separately bought a WiFi adapter, then a disk must be attached to it. Also, knowing the exact name of the module, you can easily find the right software on the Internet. After installing the drivers, new hardware will appear in Device Manager. The computer will determine its name and exact model.

How to install WiFi driver: Video

Setting up the wireless module

After installing the drivers and utilities to work with the device, it is recommended to restart the computer. After that, you can proceed to further settings. Everything is just as simple here. All available settings that you can change are located in the network control center. It is this service that should be started in the first place to configure network adapters. You can open the service with a simple click right click by the network icon in the tray (area in the lower right corner of the desktop).

So, how to set up a wireless WiFi network adapter? In the Network and Sharing Center, select "Change adapter settings". Here you will find a label for the wireless network. Depending on the version of the operating system, it may be called differently. In the seven - wireless network connection, in figure eight - wireless network. If you press right click this shortcut will bring up the preliminary menu. Here you can disable the adapter, run troubleshooting, and enter its properties.

Diagnostics allows you to automatically find problems and fix them. Users only need to carefully follow the prompts on the screen. As a result of the diagnostics, the system will provide a report on the work performed, from which you can find out what errors were found and what was fixed.

WiFi adapter properties

How to set up a network Wi-Fi adapter at a deeper level? To do this, enter its properties. Here you can select the components and protocols that will be used by the device. In addition, there are cases when you need to enter the connection IP address manually to configure the network. To do this, select Internet Protocol version 4 (TCPIPv4) and enter its properties. Here you should move the marker to the item "Use the following IP address" and enter the network data manually. You will find this information in the contract with the provider. You can also just call the customer support service of your provider and find out all the data.

• General.
• Additional.
• Driver.
• Intelligence.
• Power management.

The first tab displays information about the device. If an error occurs, its code will be displayed here and general information. If no errors are found, you will see the message "The device is working properly." In the second tab, you will see all the available functions and properties of your WiFi adapter. Here you can enable and disable certain functions, as well as set their values.

In the vast majority of cases, nothing needs to be configured in this menu, since all parameters are specified during driver installation. However, if necessary, here you can change the MAC address of the adapter by assigning absolutely any values. This is done only in extreme cases, when a change of physical address is necessary to connect to the network.

The "Driver" tab displays all data about software and about his version. Here you can uninstall or update the driver. The next tab "Details" allows you to find out detailed information about the device. It is worth noting that here you can find out absolutely all the information regarding your WiFi adapter. In the "Property" line, you select the function or service that you want to learn about. Below, in the "Value" line, detailed data about the support of the function and its properties will be displayed.

The last tab "Power Management" is the power settings for the Wi-Fi adapter. Here you can enable or disable automatic shutdown energy saving devices.

Let's go back to the adapter properties. Now go to the "Access" tab. Here we can enable or disable general access Internet connection to other users connected to the network. This option is used when you are creating virtual network using a laptop or computer as an access point or server.

Setting up an external Wi-Fi adapter

We figured out the settings for the wireless module on the laptop. But what if this is a USB module that is used in a desktop computer? How to setup wireless usb WiFi adapter? Here it should be understood that it works in exactly the same way as the built-in models in laptops. Therefore, it supports the same properties and protocols and has similar settings.

The difference between them is only in the power of the antenna. Laptops have better signal reception and can be located further away from the access point. This is due to the fact that USB modules are compact in size, which limits the size of the antenna. Otherwise, the principle of operation and functionality are absolutely the same.

Why do you need a Wi-Fi adapter: Video

Wireless network adapter, or wifi adapter, - special device, which allows you to receive a wireless signal from a router, access point, repeater, or any other device that broadcasts the Internet using this data transfer method. A wifi adapter for a computer or laptop can be built-in from the factory. Then it is placed inside the case itself, and a typical Wi-Fi icon will definitely be present on the cover or in the instructions. If the computer does not have it, then you can use a USB wifi adapter connected via the USB connector.

Without wifi, you will not be able to connect your computer to your local wireless network. But before going to the store for this device, let's get acquainted with their types. For home, I would choose the USB option, since you can use it not only on a PC or laptop of a certain model, but also on any computer where there is given port. It looks like a small flash drive. In addition to classification by type built-in / external, they can also be divided according to technical characteristics.

1. Firstly, you need to choose a usb wifi adapter that supports the latest data transfer standard at speeds up to 300 Mbps - 802.11 N or up to 700 802.11 AC. And although they cost a little more, choosing such a thing for yourself you get rid of possible problems In the future, technology is aging very quickly.

2. Secondly, you need to pay attention to the power of the receiving antenna of the usb adapter. The best option is from 20 dBM. This characteristic is indicated in the instructions. By choosing this parameter, you provide yourself with a more stable reception of not very strong wifi signals.

3. A good feature is the presence of a connector for connecting an external antenna. They are either already included in the kit, or it is fashionable to buy separately. For this type of antenna, a gain of 3 dBi (decibel) is recommended.

4. Support WPA/WPA2 and WPA-PSK/WPA2-PSK encryption types. These are the most advanced wireless network security standards available today.

5. Support different modes connections, for example, not only from the access point to the client, but also Ad-Hoc (client-to-client).

6. Various optional features

What wireless wifi adapter to buy?

In accordance with the above characteristics, you can already figure out which model to choose. As I said, the USB WiFi adapter is more versatile and is suitable not only for a desktop PC, but also for a laptop, maybe a tablet or even a TV. In principle, for the home, if your router is located next to the table, you can choose any - preferences only by firms and additional features such as support for media prioritization (QoS) or technology auto tuning WPS connection settings. You can buy such a wifi USB adapter within 1000 rubles. If you want to use your computer in different combinations wireless connections and have a stable reception in difficult conditions, then take a more serious model - for one and a half to two thousand and more.

There are countless manufacturers of wifi adapters. But I recommend taking exactly the company whose devices you already have on the network. If you have asus router, then it is better to take the adapter from this company. If Zyxel, then Zyxel. Also good models are produced by Netgear, TP Link and D Link, which have long established themselves in the market. From Asus, I would recommend the USB-N13 models or a little more expensive than the N53.

Each device comes with a disk with drivers that you need to install. And also most likely there will be a special utility for application network settings. For example, this is how the interface for a device from Trendnet looks like:

If there is no disk, then they can be easily downloaded from the network. Either from the site driver.ru, or from the official website of the manufacturer. In the same place, you can most likely download the instructions for the wifi adapter, since only a small quick guide, or it doesn't exist at all. The official websites of all major companies producing network equipment, I cited in. By the way, it also has several good advice, many of which are also suitable for choosing a wireless network adapter.

I hope this article helps you choose the right equipment! I answer all questions in the comments.

Wireless technologies are becoming more and more part of our daily lives. Until recently, the best way to connect personal computer to local network and the Internet was considered a twisted-pair connection, which provides a speed of 100 Mbps (and even higher) and excellent stability. However, progress does not stand still and there are already quite a lot of wireless devices on the market that can provide a fairly fast and reliable connection.

If you already have installed in your home or office wireless router (aka a router) that allows you to organize a wireless network, then to connect a personal computer or smart TV  to it, you will need a wi-fi adapter . It will be a good alternative to a wired connection, which requires labor-intensive cabling work.

There are hundreds of models of wi-fi adapters on the market. How to choose the right model?

WiFi standards

First of all, you need to decide on the supported wireless standards. Modern devices can support the following standards (in order from slowest to fastest): 802.11a, 802.11b, 802.11g, 802.11n , 802.11ac .

The 802.11n and 802.11ac standards are the most modern and fastest. At the same time, the 802.11n standard was adopted in 2009 and this moment time, most wireless devices support it. The 802.11ac standard was adopted in 2014. Devices that support this standard are produced less and are usually more expensive. The remaining standards are considered obsolete, but all modern devices also support them for compatibility.

Below is a summary table that reflects the main differences between different standards.

Wireless connection speed

The speed of a wireless connection depends on the supported standard, as well as on the number of transceiver antennas. In the 802.11n standard, the maximum data transfer rate with one antenna is 150 Mbps, in the 802.11ac standard it is 433 Mbps.

It should be noted that the theoretical data transfer rate in all standards differs significantly from the real one. Firstly, wifi devices half of the time is spent transmitting data and the other half - receiving. Therefore, the theoretical speed must be immediately divided by 2 (which is reflected in the table). Secondly, along with useful information quite a lot of service traffic is transmitted, including the one necessary to ensure  noise immunity.

That is why even under ideal conditions, the data transfer rate from one device to another will be 2-3 times lower than the theoretical one (the one indicated on the box), depending on the class of the device. Budget models, as a rule, show noticeably more modest results than top-end adapters. In the presence of interference in the form of walls or household appliances, the speed may drop several times more.

Frequency range

Wireless devices can currently operate in two frequency bands - 2.4 and 5 GHz.

Number of antennas

The 802.11n and 802.11ac wireless communication standards provide the ability to use multiple antennas (MIMO, from the English. Multiple Input Multiple Output), which increases the connection speed by a factor of two. The 802.11n standard allows up to 4 antennas, 802.11ac - up to eight.

For achievement maximum speeds and a stable connection, it is advisable to choose wireless equipment with multiple antennas. As a rule, adapters and routers with multiple antennas are more expensive.

Supported OS and other hardware

Wi-fi adapter manufacturers  tend to release drivers for their devices for most operating systems. However, older versions operating systems(for example, Windows XP) may not be supported. There may also be issues with device support on newer operating systems.

Therefore, when choosing an adapter, be sure to pay attention to the list of supported operating systems.

If you are purchasing an adapter for connecting to a TV network , it will not be superfluous to familiarize yourself with the list of supported adapters on the manufacturer's website (if available).

Conditional price ranges for wi-fi adapters (note that price policy manufacturers can be very different):

adapters costing up to 1200 rubles. As a rule, these are inexpensive 802.11n adapters that have either an internal antenna or 1-2 external antennas. Declared data transfer rates are from 150 to 300 Mbps. Provide acceptable communication quality at an affordable price.

Wifi wireless network adapter for computer/laptop is special device, allowing you to receive a signal from the router. As well as an access point, repeater, or any other device that broadcasts the Internet in this way of data transfer. Today I will tell you how to choose the right one for your computer or laptop.

Types of wifi adapters for computer and laptop

In the vast majority of cases, the wifi network adapter in a laptop is already built-in from the factory. It is placed inside the case itself, and a typical Wi-Fi icon will definitely be present on the cover or in the instructions. A desktop computer most often does not have it. Especially if you put it together yourself. In this case, you can use an external wireless adapter connected via USB. This type is also suitable for a laptop if the built-in module fails, which happens quite often.

Why do I need a Wi-Fi wireless network adapter?

A WiFi adapter is required to connect a computer, laptop or TV to the Internet wirelessly. Without availability network adapter neither a computer nor a laptop can be connected to the Internet through a wifi router.

So if you decide that you need a Wi-Fi adapter, then before you go to the store for this device, let's get acquainted with their types.

Despite all the shortcomings, for the home I would choose the USB option, since it can be used not only on a PC, but also on any laptop that has this port. It looks like a flash drive, and in size they range from very small to quite voluminous.

Characteristics of wireless WiFi adapters for laptop and computer

In addition to classification by built-in / external type, when choosing a wifi network adapter, you need to pay attention to its technical characteristics.

1. First, you need to choose a device that supports the latest data transfer standard - at a frequency of 2.4 GHz at speeds up to 300 Mbps - 802.11 N.

   If you have a dual-band router, that is, supporting the 5 GHz frequency band, then you can significantly increase the speed and stability of the connection - up to 700 Mbps according to the 802.11 AC standard. And although they cost a little more, by choosing such a thing for yourself, you get rid of possible problems in the future - the equipment is aging very quickly.

2. Secondly, you need to pay attention to the power of the receiving antenna. The best option is from 20 dBM. This characteristic is indicated in the instructions. By choosing this parameter, you provide yourself with a more stable reception of signals that are not very strong.
3. A good feature is the presence of a connector for connecting an external antenna. In more expensive models of wifi wireless adapters, it is already included in the kit, most often, it is non-removable. In cheap ones, on the contrary, it is hidden inside the device case. However, the presence of such a connector will allow you to purchase a more powerful antenna separately. For this type of antenna, a gain of 3 dBi (decibel) is recommended.

   The figure below shows the most inexpensive option with a built-in antenna. The speed in such models usually does not exceed 150 Mbps, so they are only suitable for performing simple office tasks on the Internet.

   

   More size - more powerful stuffing

   

   More productive - with an external detachable antenna

   

   And the most powerful - several antennas + USB extension cable

   

4. Another positive moment is the presence of a USB extension adapter in the kit. This is convenient when the computer is somewhere under the table, to bring the receiver unit itself to the surface to improve the quality of communication.

   

   By the way, a remote module with antennas is also found on PCI models

   

5. Support for WPA/WPA2 and WPA-PSK/WPA2-PSK encryption types. These are the most advanced security standards for a wireless network today, which allow you to reliably protect it from intruders.
6. Support for various connection modes. The main mode of any wifi wireless network adapter is from the access point to the client, that is, you receive a signal from the router to it, so that the computer has Internet. But there is another mode - Ad-Hoc (client-client). It will allow you to directly connect two client computers bypassing the router.
7. Various additional features

Which Wi-Fi adapter to choose for a computer or laptop?

In accordance with the above parameters, you can already figure out which wifi adapter model to choose for your computer. As I said, the USB type is more versatile and is suitable not only for a desktop PC, but also for a laptop. And maybe a tablet or even a TV.

In principle, for the home, if your router is located nearby under the table, you can choose any. Preferences only for firms and additional characteristics. Such as, for example, support for multimedia application prioritization (QoS) or technology for automatically configuring WPS connection settings. You can buy such an adapter within 1000 rubles. If you want to use your computer in different combinations of wireless connections and have stable reception in difficult conditions, then take a more serious model. For one and a half to two thousand and more.

What brand adapter to choose?

There are countless manufacturers of USB wifi adapters. But I recommend taking exactly the company whose devices you already have on the network - the condition is not mandatory, but this way you will achieve maximum compatibility and stability. If you have an Asus router, then it is better to take the adapter from this company. If Zyxel, then Zyxel.

Any wifi adapter comes with a disk with drivers that need to be installed. And also most likely there will be a special utility for applying network settings. For example, this is how the interface for a device from Trendnet looks like:

However, I recommend using it only if you have a buggy Windows XP. In Windows 7, 8, 10 and above, the built-in wireless software does a great job on its own - all you need is drivers.

If there is no disk, then they can be easily downloaded from the network. Best of all from the official website of the manufacturer. In the same place, most likely, you can download the instructions, since only a small brief guide is attached with the purchase.

I cited the official sites of all major companies producing network equipment in . By the way, it also has some practical tips, many of which are also suitable for choosing a wireless network adapter.

How to connect a wi-fi network adapter to a computer and laptop?

Let's now look at how to connect a wifi network adapter to a PC or laptop.

First of all, you should insert into the USB connector. It is best not to use any adapters for this, namely those sockets that are located at the back of the computer case. They are directly connected to the motherboard, so the connection will be better. In most cases, this does not apply to a laptop, since few people use adapters. Unless it's a Macbook, of course.

At work Windows desktop you will be notified that a new device has been found in the system.

If it is not installed automatically, then insert the CDs and run the installation. Together with firewood, you can also put special utility. With its help, you can not only connect, but later set the network parameters in more detail.

To connect a laptop or computer adapter to wifi, click on the icon of wireless connections that appears in the lower right corner of the taskbar.

A list of networks available for connection will open. Next, select the one to which we want to connect, and enter the password from it.

After that, the computer will connect to the Internet.

I hope this article will help you choose the right WiFi adapter. And about that, read in another article. I answer all questions in the comments.

Video on connecting and configuring a wireless wifi adapter

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