Wireless PCI card v USB 2.0 Wireless adapter

iansl2000

I my Linklys router yesterday and now would like either a
'Wireless-G PCI Adapter' to go in the back of my PC or I've seen a 'WIFI 802.11G 54MBPS USB 2.0 Wireless Adapter 54G' that will just plug into a usb port.
Can anyone tell me which is best to go for?
If its the USB then how can I tell if it will be compatible?

thanks in advance for any help
(PS Sorrry that I've asked this in the 'grabbit while you can' board by mistake)

espresso

I would prefer to use a PCI card rather than a USB dongle.

Compatibility should be ensured because they all comply to the IEEE 802.11b/g standard regardless of the manufacturer.

albertross_2

If the PC is near the phone line/router, then a wired connection may be better and more secure.

If not, as expresso says, a PCI card would be better, but is not as portable as a usb dongle.. (if you ever get an old laptop without wireless built-in for example).

ManAtHome

Depends whether you pooter has USB2, if not max speed will be around 12mbps (still fast enough for the web though). If your Windows is anything later than Win98 shouldn't be a problem with any USB device apart from the difference in speed between USB1 and 2.

raymond

Make sure you have enough resources to install a PCI card. Some modern computers have very few PCI slots, and not many free IRQ's due to the built in mosem, sound, graphics, network, firewire etc etc

oldrimes

If your computer and router are at opposite ends of the house, a usb dongle may be better (especially if it has a longer cable). It can be easier to position it to get a good signal.

In the past I've used bluetack to hold the actual usb device in a position on a wall where it gets a good signal - not quite so easy when you've got a pci card in a computer. If you use a pci card, and are not getting a good signal - an external aerial is also an option.

Aiadi

Tried Belkin today (£25 Argos, Currys & Comet) which didn't work and replaced it with Linksys USB adaptop fo £30 from Currys which is working perfectly now.

Amba_Gambla

you can get the belkin usb adapter for £13.99 (free delivery) from PC world

(went nicely with my bargain linksys router)