Wireless Adapter For Desktop Computers: Which One to Go For?
There are three alternatives to connect desktop computers to a wireless network notably an USB Wireless Adapter, a PCI wireless network adapter, or a card bus adapter ( for your laptop computers). Well, when you come to decide – which type of wireless adapter for desktop computer is your choice?Perhaps the most popular and the widely use network adapters is USB wireless adapters that you can connect to one of USB ports. This is simply because you can make your desktop computer wireless instantly by plugging a wireless USB adapter into any available USB port. In fact, it takes only a matter of just a few seconds to plug in a USB adapter and begin using the internet wirelessly. There are many advantages why it is best to go for USB wireless adapters for your wireless connection particularly if you have to cope with several computers at home network or perhaps at place of work.
Picture 1 : USB Wireless Adapter
The next wireless device which can make desktop computers wireless is wireless PCI (PCI = white slots inside a computer) card adapter. They are internal wireless cards designed to fit into one of the PCI slots located at the back of a desktop computer. Just like USB adapters this device allows for high performance wireless connectivity for your desktop computer with extended range. Installing a PCI network adapters isn’t as difficult as you may have thought. You can just take away the side panel from the desktop computer and put the wireless PCI card into any of the white-colored slots inside. There’s actually just one way the card may be installed. Reading the manual guide prior to installing it is definitely the best thing that you can do to ensure a smooth installation and kick off of your wireless connection using your desktop computers.
Picture 2 : PCI Wireless Adapter
Both USB and PCI network adapters for desktop are typically equally fast, but my personal experience has been the internal wireless device much less likely to get damaged by anyone bumping into it or banging it over accidentally. However it does require you to open up the case and set it up. If you’re not comfortable performing that, opt for the USB. Usually they’re within a few bucks price wise of each other.If you’re a newbie it’s highly recommended for you to go for USB adapters, since it is much easier to install and offer you better signal strength if your desktop computer is quite far from the router. You have to be aware though that when you are setting them up, you need to install software/drivers for the USB wireless adapters before you plug them into the computers.
You need USB adapter “G” for a couple of reasons. First of all, if your wireless access point or or wireless router has 802.11g capability, then your USB wireless adapters will transfer data a lot faster than any broadband Internet service you may have. Secondly, the “G” will be backward compatible with your router if your router has only “B” speed. Lastly, with N being prominent now, G speed wireless products is affordable.
Please keep in mind that you may get less expensive wireless adapters or whatever, but reliable adapters will cost you just as much or more than the less costlier one. Wireless equipment is one area in which you really do not want to go for cheap devices. Wireless connection is less reliable (slower) than a wired LAN connection, so that you want a reliable wireless adapter for desktop you need to get something decent to avoid occurrences where you’re annoyed with the its performance.
