Convert desktop to wireless?

AlSto

Roland_Sausage wrote: »

One of these

https://www.amazon.co.uk/s/?ie=UTF8&keywords=usb+to+wifi+adapter&!!!!!googhydr-21&index=aps&hvadid=186640393561&hvpos=1t1&hvnetw=g&hvrand=10756366486841471601&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=e&hvdev=t&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9046863&hvtargid=kwd-3477432753&ref=pd_sl_7z8lcf2opc_e

Waaaayyyyy too expensive. Almost double the going rate;

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/600Mbps-Dual-Band-802-11ac-2-4GHz-5GHz-PC-USB-WiFi-Adapter-Network-LAN-Dongle-UK-/263394790695

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/600Mbps-Dual-Band-802-11ac-2-4GHz-5GHz-PC-WiFi-USB-Adapter-Network-LAN-Dongle-UK/152674449347

Frozen_up_north

The advantage of WiFi is that it also works with tablets and phones, etc.

The adapters with adjustable (swivel and tilt) aerials give much better range (and speed) when compared to the 1/2” square “block” types, regardless of their exaggerated range and speed claims. If you mount the adapter on a short USB extension cable away from the metalwork of the computer case it will work even better.

Look for the ones that are dual band too (5.8GHz as well as 2.4GHz).

There are lots on eBay and Amazon.

Roland_Sausage

To be honest, I would probably go for a PCI card based one, rather than USB.

Although you said you're not very tech savvy, a computer shop should be able to fit one in 10 minutes.

Robisere

Roland_Sausage wrote: »

To be honest, I would probably go for a PCI card based one, rather than USB.

Although you said you're not very tech savvy, a computer shop should be able to fit one in 10 minutes.

Like this:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/TP-LINK-TL-WDN4800-Wireless-Express-Antennas/dp/B007GMPZ0A/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1518824234&sr=8-1&keywords=TL-WDN4800

Which I fitted in my desktop, but as said by Mr. Sausage above, you could get a computer shop or a friend/family member who could fit it. It is not difficult and should not be expensive to fit. I got quite good speeds, around 300 Mbps, until I fitted an ethernet cable across my loft from the router, which gives me Gigabit. Point is, it is still in the PC, uninstalled, could be reset and used if I needed it. My router is a fibre (FTTC) one, 3 rooms away, speeds as I say were good.

Iamzee

Almost all desktops can receive wireless connection thru usb port. But if your desktop is low tech probably lower than i3 series, then you'd want to upgrade it for so many reason like storage, speed, and not only it's capability to receive wireless connection.

neilmcl

Roland_Sausage wrote: »

To be honest, I would probably go for a PCI card based one, rather than USB.

Although you said you're not very tech savvy, a computer shop should be able to fit one in 10 minutes.

Unless they're tying up a needed USB port I'd just stick with one of these https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B072FJS5MT/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o08_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

elsien

I got an eBay usb thingy and it kept dropping the connection. Ended up going by the power line adapter route which works much better for me.

RichardD1970

I have one of these, https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B06VYCCQT5/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

For information, I have virgin media 200Mbps internet. My sons wired PC gets 220Mbps+, with the dongle I get (on 5g) around 80Mbps.

Gloomendoom

My Dell desktop came fitted with a wireless card as standard. So far, I have not felt the need to plug in an ethernet cable. It is plenty quick enough.