Recommendations for a Wi-Fi PCI/USB adapter?

Crazy_Eddy

Crazy_Eddy

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Looking for a Wi-Fi PCI/USB Adapter. My router supports only b/g speeds, so no point getting an 802.11n adapter (the fact that n adapters are 4 times the price doesn't help either :P). Any suggestions?

No objection to either a PCI or USB adapter. Which one is usually better?

Thanks in advance :)
 
USB for sure, no chance of the external antenna snapping (don't ask me how I know).

I use the Linksys WUSB54, seems decent enough. PCI offers better throughput though, but only marginal.
 
USB => Linksys WUSB54G

PCI => Linksys WMP54G

Marginal difference in throughput between the two. I'd recommend the USB, since you can at least move it around to catch a better signal. Can't do that with a PCI adapter unless you're ok with moving your desktop around!!
 
That was quick! Thanks folks :)

Just one small confirmation - the Linksys WUSB54G includes a cable extender right?

Edit: One more small query - I notice the WUSB54GC is what is selling now. Any idea if this newer version is alright?
 
The cable extender comes with the adapter.

The GC is the one I have. It's a little flaky to get working with XP's inbuilt utility, but the Linksys utility works fine. I actually have both the PCI and the USB adapters, and IMO the PCI is a little better at dealing with a weak signal. The USB is easier to move, but with a good router none of the two will have issues. My router gives me signal three floors down with stock firmware.
 
The reason the WUSB54G has a cable extender is because the port on the adapter is a female USB Type B port. So it needs the cable to connect to the PC. The WUSB54GC is the compact version of the WUSB54G, in the same form factor as that of a flash drive. Like cranky mentioned, it was a bit flaky with XP, but there are newer hardware revisions to it, most recently the WUSB54GC v3, which is far better. Not sure if you get a cable extender with the WUSB54GC, but I'm certain you can use it with one which is USB 2.0 compatible.
 
I am using the Belkin G USB Adapter for about 4 months now without any problems so far. Got it for 850 bucks locally. System stays on 24x7 downloading something or the other.
 
*Update*

Ordered the Linksys WUSB54GC yesterday and got it today. The G is not available anymore, only the GC. Hardware revision is V3.

After all the negative reviews on Newegg, I was dreading the worst .. but install was a breeze, got it up and running in less than 5 mins! Signal strength is excellent and stays consistently at 54Mbps.

Only downer, it does not include the cable extender but plugs in directly. Unfortunately, I do not have a USB cable with the female socket, so have plugged it in directly for the moment.

Edit:

For info, I picked up the WUSB54GC for 990 bucks + shipping.

Some other prices I came across while asking around:-

Edimax EW-7711UAn (nLite 150 USB) @ Rs.1200 nett

Edimax EW-7711UMn (nLite 150 USB) @ Rs.1350 nett
 
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