What to do if there is no wifi in the computer. Connecting a desktop computer to Wi-Fi

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

• The house has 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 the 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

A WiFi adapter is used to implement the wireless network function on devices that do not have WiFi support. 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 the receive mode and in the signal transmission mode. Adapters that have a built-in SoftAP function allow you to create a WiFi hotspot on your computer.

How to choose an adapter

When choosing a WiFi adapter, it is important to consider the connection method. There are so-called USB adapters that are very easy to use as they can be easily removed and plugged into another computer. There are adapters that use the PCI-E interface. This is a set of microcircuits 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 recognized standard for wireless communication is 802.11n, which guarantees 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 it has a large size. In addition, there are devices with removable external antennas.

When choosing a WiFi adapter, you should pay attention to their frequency. Manufacturers began to release devices with a frequency of 5 GHz, but now adapters operating at a frequency of 2.4 GHz are still common.

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 you avoid all sorts of connection problems.

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

Types of adapters

External WiFi adapters

In appearance, these adapters resemble a USB storage device. The price of a standard USB adapter ranges 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 regular USB port or to a USB cable.

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Internal WiFi adapters

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

Many people are afraid that when switching to WiFi, the download speed of files will drop dramatically, but in reality this is not the case. Typically, each WiFi adapter has its own bandwidth. Let's say the Internet connection speed is 1 Mb / s, and the adapter bandwidth 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.

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Wi-Fi Card-Bus Adapters

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

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 baud rate: 150Mbps
• Connection interface: PCI
• Supported information security technologies: WEP, WPA, WPA2
• Number of external antennas: 1 detachable antenna with R-SMA connector

WiFi adapter ASUS PCI-N10

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

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

Specifications:

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

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

You should also take a closer look at the parameters that characterize the antenna power (ideally, at least 20 decibels). Thanks to this, it will be possible to clearly pick up even the weakest signals. An external antenna connector will be an added benefit. The antenna can be purchased as a separate device or as a set.

In some adapter models, two antennas can be raised in operating mode, which will enhance the signal quality and increase the data transfer rate. You can purchase compact models with antennas built into the body of the device. The case should preferably have ventilation holes through which heat dissipation will occur. Due to the absence of such holes, the performance of the device may deteriorate significantly.

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, accessibility options for quick configuration of the adapter, and the choice of protection method. In addition, one of the most important points is the support for multiple connection modes between two computers.

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

The DWA-127 adapter has a built-in antenna for a large wireless connection area and a dedicated hardware WPS button that automatically configures a secure WiFi connection. Thanks to this adapter, a high-quality connection with standard devices (marked IEEE 802.11) is ensured.

The DWA-566 is a wireless adapter that enables high-speed connection of 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 2.4 GHz (marking: IEEE 802.11; b / g / n) and 5 GHz (marking: IEEE-802.11; a / n). Due to these conditions, the wireless connection can reach speeds of up to 300 Mbps.

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

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

Configuring a WiFi adapter on a computer

For the initial configuration of the WiFi adapter, the following components are required:

• WiFi adapter itself;
• CD with drivers and other software;
• User guide.

First, you need to install the device into the USB port. It is best to use the ports located on the back of the system unit, since they are connected to the motherboard and are already completely ready for use. You can use the ports located on the front side of the system unit, but first make sure that they are in working order. After connecting the device, a message will appear stating that a new device has been detected. Next, you need to install the software and driver package. You should also install software utilities, they will not be superfluous, since with the help of them you can adjust the network parameters and carry out more fine-tuning. Next, you need to look at the display of network connections (the network connections icon is at the bottom of the taskbar). In the drop-down window for network connections, a list of devices that are connected to the PC will be listed, you must select the one that has been installed at the moment. After that, you need to use the left mouse button on a new connection. In the opened window of available network connections, click on the new network to enter the password.

The main mistakes when choosing a WiFi adapter

One of the most common mistakes people make when shopping for a new device is that they implicitly trust sales assistants. In reality, the seller, as a rule, is trying to sell not the model that best suits the characteristics of the others, but the one for which he can get his interest. That is why, before buying, it is recommended that you familiarize yourself with the functionality of the selected models and read reviews about them on the Internet.

Another mistake is that people think of all adapters to be 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 reality, 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 save you many inconveniences, such as a lot of wires.

Almost all modern gadgets can be connected to wifi networks. This makes it possible to use the convenience of the Internet at high speed almost everywhere. It is believed that this applies only to small devices such as a tablet, phone or laptop (printer, camera, etc.). Many users are interested in the question of how to connect a computer to wifi, is it difficult, and what devices may be needed for this.

A stationary computer is therefore called stationary, which implies bringing all communications to it through various wires to a "permanent residence". The PC can be rearranged in the future to another place, but this requires a major revision of cable routes, finding outlets, etc.

A novelty in recent years has been the emergence of wireless networks, thanks to which even a PC can be connected to the Internet using wifi technologies.

Below we will figure out what is needed for this, and in what order it is recommended to connect a stationary computer to the Internet “wirelessly”.

The outline of the article will be as follows:

Necessary equipment:

• External wifi receivers;
• Internal;
• Router.

Installing devices on a computer and configuring them:

• External receiver;
• Interior;
• Router.

Necessary equipment

Since a PC in most cases is deprived of the ability to find and connect to wireless networks, you first need to take care of purchasing equipment that will give it such privileges. Let's consider in detail how it happens.

External wifi receivers

Such devices look very much like a large USB flash drive: they are small gadgets with a USB plug at one end (see Figure 1). In addition, they can have a small antenna that allows you to increase the "collected" signal.

Fig. 1 External adapter (network card) Wifi from Tp-Link.

This device for connecting a PC to a wireless network is quite inexpensive (can be purchased for $ 10-20). After the purchase, it remains to connect it to the computer via USB, install the driver from the included disk, make the simplest settings and connect to wifi. We will consider all these operations in detail after we get acquainted with another type of wireless network adapters.

Internal (built-in) wifi receivers

Their name comes from the fact that they are embedded inside the PC system unit. To connect to the "motherboard" use the PCI interface, through which they are connected to a special connector.

rice. 2 Internal receiver (adapter) wifi.

These devices differ little in price from external ones, and their installation on a computer also does not take much time and should not cause any particular difficulties.

So which type of adapter should you choose? External or internal?

• External can be quickly disconnected and connected to another PC;
• The internal receiver will not take up free desk space; in addition, it is less susceptible to damage as it cannot be touched by the user.

The choice is yours.

Router (router)

A wifi receiver can only connect a computer to a network if it can “reach” it. In other words, there must be a signal source - a router - within range.

Fig. 3 TP-LINK AC1750 router

It receives a signal from a provider via an Ethernet cable, passes it through itself and “distributes” it to wireless devices (including a computer). Routers are more versatile and easier to use than access points. They allow you to simultaneously connect several gadgets (laptop, tablet, smartphone, pc ...) to the same network.

Equipment connection

We turn to the promised description of the installation process for a Wi-Fi receiver for a stationary computer.

External wireless adapter - installation and configuration

As an example, let's take the proven TP-LINK TL-WN721N receiver model. It can be purchased for $ 13-18, and it is ideal for Windows 7. In addition, it supports all types of data encryption, and has the ability to quickly create a connection. The maximum signal reception speed is 150 Mbps.

rice. 4 External wifi network card TP-LINK TL-WN721N.

Step 1

We take the device out of the box and carefully study the package bundle, which should include:

• The receiver itself;
• USB cable (you can connect through it and use it as an extension cable when looking for a better signal);
• Instructions in several languages;
• Driver disk.

Step 2

We connect the adapter to the PC directly, or through an extension cable (it can amplify the signal, acting as an additional antenna) to the USB port. Next, we ignore any messages about the successful installation of device drivers. They must be installed on their own from a special disk that we found in the receiver box.

Step 3

We insert a disk with drivers into the computer, after which we launch the installation wizard. In the program that opens, select our model and click "Install driver and utility" (see Figure 5)

Fig. 6 Dialog box of the installer.

During installation, the following messages may appear (Fig. 7 and Fig. 8):

rice. 7 Notification in a 32-bit system that the utility cannot be installed. It's not scary, so we boldly press "Yes".

rice. 8 Windows 7 security can warn you about an unknown driver manufacturer. This is also not critical, click "Install anyway ..."

In a minute or two, the process will end, and you can find such an icon on the taskbar (see Figure 9). It signals that the receiver is ready to connect the computer to wifi.

rice. 9 Icon indicating the presence of wireless networks within the range of the receiver.

Step 4

Now that the adapter is ready to connect the Internet to the computer, all that remains is to click on that icon and select the appropriate wifi network.

Fig. 10 Selecting the required network in the list of available connections.

And then enter the password (security key) and click OK.

Fig. 11 Specifying the network security key (password).

Everything. Your computer is now connected to the network via an external wifi receiver. You can start using the Internet.

Now let's move on to the next chapter of the article.

Installing the internal wireless adapter

Step 1

Take TP-Link TL-WN751ND as an example (approximate price - $ 15).

We take the device out of the box and unscrew the antenna if it is connected to the module (Fig. 12), since it cannot be installed in the system unit with it.

fig. 12 Separating the antenna from the mains adapter (by unscrewing it).

Step 2

We open the lid of the system unit and look for a slot for the wifi module on the motherboard (one of the PCI slots through which you can connect a Wi-Fi receiver is usually located below, under the sound card) (see Figure 13)

Fig. 13 Slot for an adapter on the computer motherboard.

We connect and, after screwing the antenna back in, we get something like this:

Fig. 14 Built-in wifi module ready for configuration at your workplace.

Step 3

Setting up an internal wifi card does not differ from setting up an external one: first you need to "install" the driver, then find a network and connect your computer to it. We discussed these steps in detail in the previous chapter.

Installing and configuring the router

For example, let's analyze the process on the TP-Link TL-WR841N model.

Fig. 15 TP-Link TL-WR841N.

Step 1

First, you need to connect the router to the computer through which it will be configured. Figure 16 shows the connectors through which the router is installed (blue - for power supply; red - for the Internet wire entering the apartment; green - for connecting to the main PC, from where the network will be controlled).

Fig. 16 back side of the router with connectors.

Step 2

We go to the web interface of the router.

Fig. 17 entering the ip-address to enter the settings of the router.

To do this, in the browser, in the address bar, enter the ip-address of the router with the prefix http: // (as in Fig. 17). This "set" of numbers is different. It can be read where it will be indicated by the manufacturer in 99% of cases - on the back cover of the device.

Step 3

We enter a pair of username / password. In 90% of cases, this is admin / admin.

Step 4

Once in the settings, we are looking for the "Network" tab, and in it "WAN". Here you need to specify the type of network. To determine which connection is right for your case, you can consult with your provider. Click "Save" and move on.

Step 5

We go to "MAC Clone" (in the same place, in "Network") and click on "Clone MAC Address", after which we again save the changes (save).

Step 6

We go to "Wireles"> "Wireless Settings", where we enter all the values ​​as shown in the figure below. The only thing is, you can come up with a name for the network and indicate your real region. Don't forget to save.

Step 7

Now go to the Security tab. Specify the type of encryption and its algorithm as in the screenshot (you can just fill everything in the same way as in the picture above). And, most importantly, come up with your own password for the created network.

Again, save all the changes and complete the installation of the router with a reboot. To do this, look for the "System Tools"> "Reboot" tab, in which we press the only "reboot" button.

This completes the router configuration process. Now you can connect wireless Internet to the computer on which you installed the wifi receiver. You need to go through that PC to the "Available connections" (as discussed above), select the created network and connect to it.

Wifi USB adapter is a device for connecting a personal computer or other device to a wireless network.

What are Wi-Fi devices for?

When building a radio network in an office or at home, you have to use devices that do not have wireless functions. For example, computer system units, televisions, game consoles, and more. Even if the device is equipped with a wireless client, it is often necessary to purchase and install a more modern Wifi USB adapter that supports faster communication formats. After all, information technologies are constantly evolving, very often it turns out that a device released 2-3 years ago is now irrevocably outdated. Every day, devices are produced more and more miniaturized, and the functions and parameters at the same time increase. If a couple of years ago, in order to supply the Internet to two personal computers at once, it was required to install switches, stretch twisted pair cables around the apartment, today everything is much simpler. It is enough to install a USB adapter on the PC Wifii, which is compatible with all versions of operating systems, and that's it - the network is ready. Several wireless devices can be connected to such an improvised access point at the same time. For example, communicators, laptops and other computers. To support such networks, specialized software Virtual Wi-Fi is used. This software is the basis of the Windows 7 operating system. This wireless network supports high-level WPA2 PSK encryption.

Communication standards for wireless networks

When choosing a Wifi USB adapter, you must first of all pay attention to the standard that this device supports. This parameter must match your router. Since, having bought a device that is incompatible with the main equipment, you will not be able to coordinate and configure a wireless network. In this case, an important parameter is the frequency of radio signal transmission. Today, two are widely used (2.4 MHz and 5 MHz). In addition, when choosing an adapter, you must pay attention to the number of transmitting and receiving devices that the device can support.

Interfaces supported by Wi-Fi receivers

A few years ago, one could meet with various types of connectors: PCMCI, PCI, and others. However, today the USB standard has superseded all other types of interfaces. This is very convenient because, having purchased the said device, the user can use it with any personal computer. And even when replacing your PC with a new one or upgrading an old one, you can always use this adapter.

Specifications

The wireless USB Wifi adapter transmits data at a speed of 300 Mbps, and some models are capable of transmitting information at a speed of 450 Mbps. There are Wi-Fi devices with three antennas, which significantly increase the performance of the wireless connection and the stability of the signal. In the Russian market, the sales leaders are adapters manufactured by Asus, D-Link and TP-Link.

Turning a Wi-Fi USB Adapter into an Access Point

Thanks to the Wi-Fi Virtual technology, any adapter that supports this technology in the drivers can be used as a Wi-Fi signal distributor for client devices. To debug the system, the installation of drivers is optional, it is enough to use a personal computer with the operating system Windows 7. This software contains built-in installation utilities. And when you install the equipment, you will be prompted to download the latest software version. The list of adapter models that are compatible with the Virtual system can be found on the official website of the software developers. Basically, it is a graphical shell that works with the netsh snap-in through the console. This program makes the process visual and user-friendly, moreover, it is completely free and has all the necessary functionality. It is capable, in addition to the main purpose, to put the adapter into Ad-hoc mode, which allows you to create peer-to-peer networks. Almost all laptops and personal computers are capable of supporting this standard.

How to connect and setup Wifi USB adapter with Virtual Router system?

First of all, you need to install the necessary software on your PC (for example, Connectify), it converts the Wi-Fi receiver into an access point. After that, we connect the adapter to the USB port of the personal computer. The Windows 7 operating system independently installs the drivers; for this, the PC must be connected to the Internet. After that, we launch the program. The first step is to set the name of the wireless network, which is indicated in the HotspotName field. Further, in the Password section, you need to set a password for accessing the created system. For strong protection, it is recommended to specify a password of eight characters or more, which uses upper and lower case letters, numbers, and special characters. In the future, it must be entered on each wireless client during the first connection. In the "Internet" field, you must select the connected personal computer with access to the World Wide Web. For example, it could be a network card. Then you should select "Local Area Connection".

Next, in the Advanced field, specify the Wi-Fi adapter. If only one device is connected to the computer, then we select by default, and if there are several, then it is necessary to specify exactly the device that will be used as an access point. This completes the setup, it remains only to turn on the device. Basically, we created a Wi-Fi router from a regular adapter and a PC. After clicking the Start Hotspot button, another NAT server appears on the network. After that, you can connect the first clients: laptop, tablet or smartphone. To do this, we search for wireless networks and "connect" to ours using the specified password. The device is then ready for use.

How much does a USB Wifi adapter cost?

The price of such a device will depend primarily on the manufacturer and on the parameters of the device. In any case, the cost of a USB Wi-Fi adapter will be affordable for almost everyone, it is 10-20 US dollars, depending on the model chosen.

Today we will talk about how you can connect Wi-Fi to your computer via a network cable. After you have an Internet cable and a Wi-Fi router connected to it, you can start creating your own small local network. Surely you have not only a stationary computer (or maybe more than one), but also a tablet, a laptop, a smartphone, and a plasma TV. And all this can be combined into one grid with the access of each device to the Internet.

In this case, your whole family can enjoy the Internet at their own discretion, without interfering with each other. Someone will play online games on a computer, someone will watch their favorite movies or videos from YouTube on TV, someone will work or communicate via the Internet on a laptop, and someone at this time can communicate via WhatsApp or Viber via mobile phone or smartphone. And all these pleasures can be configured with one hotspot over a Wi-Fi router.

And in order to create (expand) such a grid, you must use one of two connection options:

1. Lay a network cable from the router to a stationary computer and TV.
2. Connect a stationary computer via an external or internal Wi-Fi adapter. Moreover, laptop, tablet and smartphone have this adapter already built-in.

In this article, we will look at the first connection option.

ConnectionWi— Fito a computer via a network cable

Previously, the Internet could only be connected via a telephone line. Now this can be done using a network cable (twisted pair). For this:

• Connect the provider's wire to the wi-fi router to the socket marked WAN(or Internet);

• Insert the twisted pair network cable into one of the connectors LAN... It doesn't matter which one;
• Connect the other end of the cord to a computer (or laptop) into the connector RJ 45... If the computer is on, a light next to the connector should blink.

The network cable can be connected both when the router is turned on and when the computer is turned on. It's safe.

If the internet doesn't connect

Typically, a computer running Windows 7/8/10 will automatically receive an IP address and immediately connect to the Internet. But you may have to make some adjustments yourself.

If the Internet connection did not happen automatically, then do the following manipulations:

1. Check if the Wi-Fi router is turned on;
2. Check if the network cable is well connected to the connectors of the router and computer;
3. Check the visibility of the network card in Device manager... If there is no entry " Network adapters", It means you need to install or reinstall the network card driver.

1. Turn off the router for 30-40 seconds, and turn it on again. This usually helps.

Configuring a computer network card for connection viaWi— Firouter

If, after the above manipulations, the Internet still does not connect, then you need to manually register the IP address for your network card.

For this:

• right-click on the network connection icon on the taskbar. It is located near the clock), and select the item " Network Control Center».

• If this icon is not on the taskbar, then open Control Panel.

V Windows 7 The control panel is located in the " Start».

Select in the view " Small icons", And click on the item" Network and Sharing Center».

Right-click on the network card icon and select " Properties».

Highlight " Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP /IPv4) "And click the button below" Properties».

Set the switch to the " Use the following address"And write the following below:

IP address 192.168.1.5 (the last digit can be anything from 1 to 255)

Subnet mask 255.255.255.0

Default gateway 192.168.1.1

Preferred DNS Server 192.168.1.1

An alternative DNS server does not need anything

Check the box next to the inscription “ Confirm parameters on exit».

If a small window pops up with some kind of warning - press the button " Yes».

Now it would be good to restart your computer.

Over the past decade, mobile technology has made a dramatic leap towards mass adoption. That is why such developments as a Wi-Fi adapter for a computer are trying to be implemented in almost every existing sample.

Simplification of data transfer

The idea of ​​transmitting information "over the air" was first voiced in a scientific sense back at the beginning of the twentieth century by Nikola Tesla. But then it was somewhat difficult to implement, but now it is difficult to imagine that someone would refuse to install a Wi-Fi adapter for a PC and would prefer to mess around with laying cables.

If back in the early 2000s, the same wireless standards 802.11a and 802.11b simply could not compete for the most part with wired Internet in terms of speed and cost, then with the arrival of "g", which could deliver up to 54 Mbps, real competition had already begun ... And when in 2009 they patented and began to actively implement the "n" protocol with its 150/300/600 Mbit / s, the obvious advantage of Wi-Fi over an ordinary 100 Mbit card became obvious even to the average user. The development of the mobile industry of microprocessor technology, which includes tablets, smartphones, smartwatches and the same laptops with netbooks, also played an important role.

But be that as it may, a fairly large percentage of computer users prefer to use stationary PCs. And they, in the basic configuration, are not equipped with wireless modules, such as Wi-Fi adapters for a computer or Bluetooth. Fortunately, motherboard manufacturers carefully allocate everything necessary for such needs. Therefore, it is worth considering the options available on the market that a user who wants to upgrade their PC can use.

Transition to wireless networks

So, first of all, it is worth considering how to choose a Wi-Fi adapter for a computer, and for this you need to determine the purpose of the module, its type design and the needs of the user himself.

It's worth starting with the fact that this type of device is stationary and mobile. Their difference lies in the interface itself, through which the gadget will connect to the system unit of the personal computer. There are many variations on the market right now that may satisfy the needs of even very old owners, but the cost and benefits are ephemeral at best.

Types of adapters

So we will look at three of the most popular and mainstream interfaces:

• PCI-Express.

The first belongs to the mobile type, since to use this kind of device, it is enough to plug such a USB-Wi-Fi module into any USB socket and, if necessary, it can be quickly removed, and then installed in another system unit or device, without even turning off the PC. ... In general, this is a typical dongle, that is, a gadget in the format of a regular flash drive, which many are accustomed to using. Most of these adapters are designed for very short distances and have low power. True, there are serious powerful devices that are not inferior to stationary ones, but their cost will be much higher.

The second and third types are stationary devices. They fit directly onto the motherboard itself and are not well suited for frequent removal. In addition, you need to make sure which type of interface is present on the motherboard of the user's PC. This can be done either through special programs such as AIDA64 or Everest, or by removing the cover from the system unit and examining the connectors available there, which in most cases are signed. Offhand - the PCI slot is large enough and has 3 sections: two small on the sides, one large in between.

PCI-Express, on the other hand, is rather small, about half to a third of the PCI length and consists of only two sections, where one is a couple of pins larger than the other.

As for the cost, the USB gadget will be somewhat more expensive than a stationary sample of similar characteristics. So it is worthwhile to study this issue in advance, and it will also be useful to familiarize yourself with the reviews on specific models of Wi-Fi adapters for your computer before you go shopping.

Transmission speed

The second parameter to pay attention to is the baud rate; it directly depends on the standard on which the Wi-Fi module operates. Currently, three standards are considered relevant for the common user:

• 802.11g.
• 802.11n.
• 802.11ac.

Their theoretical speeds are presented accordingly:

• 54 Mbps
• 150/300/600 Mbps
• From 433 Mbps to 6.77 Gbps.

If everything is clear with the first, then the second and third need explanations. Depending on the quality of materials, software, microcircuit layout and signal strength that the equipment can produce, the speed for the same protocol (for example, "n") will be different. Accordingly, the higher the quality, the more productive the Wi-Fi device itself will be. As you might guess, the more functional and high-quality the gadget is, the higher its cost will be.

This also includes such a detail as "equipment coordination". For example, a PC owner decided to spend money on an expensive, powerful and high-quality Wi-Fi adapter with the "n" protocol, but his router only works with "g" (including "a" and "b", of course, since these protocols are backward compatible). Of course, the maximum that a user can get in such a bundle of equipment (Wi-Fi-card-router) is the very 54 Megabits. The second point is the speed coming through the cable from the provider itself. If the contract with him is concluded only for 20 Mbit / s, then even with the use of the module and the 802.11ac router, the final speed will be only 20 Megabits.

Based on the foregoing: it is worthwhile to decide in advance on your needs and capabilities before choosing a Wi-Fi USB adapter for your computer or even purchasing one.

Power

This criterion is often simply discarded as unnecessary, since for the most part it is irrelevant for owners of small apartments. But for the owners of large houses or land plots, this parameter will be more than significant. Firstly, on the basis of this aspect, some providers supply access to the world wide network, and secondly, if you need to cover a large distribution area of ​​the Internet, then the capacity is of paramount importance here.