Mini WiFi dongles, how well do they work?

I plan to buy a USB WiFi dongle which will be used to share the Internet from wired-connection-only desktops to my laptop or phone. Those wireless mouse/keyboard receiver sized dongles look attractive, but how well do they work? Has anyone experienced signal strength problems with them, especially with phones that don't have great WiFi antennas? Any particular type/model to avoid? Should I go with one using a more traditional long antenna?

I only need to use the dongle in the same room I'm in. No need for the signal to go through load bearing walls or anything like that.


Edit: So I brought a RTL8188CUS-based mini dongle. Signal is pretty good. No connection problem whatsoever. Fixing the Linux driver was a pain in the a though.

 

I think you'll run into problems if I am understanding your post correctly.

The USB dongle (see example in link below) allows a notebook or desktop to access a wireless router. What you're suggesting is not the normal use case and I'm pretty sure that there are no devices like what you're looking for - especially to share to a notebook and a phone.

See:
http://www.memoryexpress.com/Products/MX36335
(The above USB wireless dongle is pricey, but very effective).

See:
http://www.memoryexpress.com/Products/MX32454
(The above USB wireless dongle is the minimum I would spend money on).

Note on USB wireless dongles; don't worry about USB 2.0 or 3.0 specifications - there is nothing available that will saturate a USB 2.0 interface, let alone a USB 3.0 connection. Even an AC Class device.

Your best bet is to buy a router and run it in AP mode.

Here is a great example:

See:
http://www.memoryexpress.com/Products/MX47224

With the above router, you will be able to connect anything you want wirelessly not only on the same room, but on the same floor too.

P.S. Make sure you do a price match on the above part numbers. The router above can be found for less than $30 at times.

If I misunderstood, ooops!

 

I'm not entirely sure but isn't any WiFi device that supports AP infrastructure mode capable of broadcasting an access point?

 

To be accurate; not any. But some may and most certainly some will do so better than others.

My point is that the cost of those types of adaptors, with the necessity of a second system needed to be on and running is more than offset by simply buying a 'real' router in the first place and using it in AP mode.

Same price, better reliability, more flexibility, doesn't rely on an always on computer and hardware and software (antenna and firmware) that are worlds better than any closed source USB adaptor can offer.

If the price difference was significantly different (and at this low level, <$50, to me that would be at double the price or more) I might have suggested pursuing a USB adaptor solution. But when the price is lower and the performance much, much higher... I don't see the point of picking a subpar solution (and subpar, right out of the gate).


An example is a client that was using a USB dongle that he had paid over $150 for at one point and was quite stubborn about replacing that with a current $30 to $50 router to be used as a bridge to that computer. After trying everything possible to 'save' that old dongle, including relocating the computer somewhat - I was finally allowed to install the router (RT-N12) suggested in this thread.

The connection has been as steady as a properly wired connection since. But that old/pricey dongle is still in the bosses desk as a memento of his 'high tech' days.

 

tilleroftheearth, you're wrong here. Any wi-fi card is capable of device-to-device connection bypassing routers. With the device in question, you definitely sacrifice range, however it costs couple of $ while routers costs 5x+ more. Ordered one myself, will tell how it works once it arrives.

 

Price is not the primary concern here. My goal is to share the wired connection from a desktop that I don't own and can't temper with, like one in a hotel room (yes, that happens) or a cyber bar. The computer case might be locked up with no easy access to the Internet cable. But I should always have USB. Besides, I don't want to take a much bigger device with me if a dongle can handle the job.

At my own place I have 'real' routers.

 

Mr.Koala, you won't be able to setup such a connection without administrator rights.

 

We don't help you hack other peoples wifi. And they most likely will kick you out or tell you to leave their establishment if you try to do what your doing or get local authorities involved if you plan on doing something like that. What you do with your wifi that is your own business.

 

StormJumper , I fail to understand why you brought this into discussion, but for your interest no one will notice anything unless you're a total jerk or hacking into something much more important than Average Joe's wi-fi hotspot.

 

Where on earth did I mention anything about cracking into other people's WiFi? This is for a quick add-in on a desktop I'm authorized to use.

 

Okay, more data...

I've never used a cyber bar, but I'm pretty sure you won't be able to install anything to a public computer. That is, after all, the reason they offer the internet service (per device), isn't it? Not for you to install equipment to it to connect as many devices as you want.

As for the hotel room, probably the same thing (I've never seen a computer in a hotel room, but I don't usually stay overnight anywhere I travel). At least here, you can have the router (the one I linked is small enough for travel) already setup and simply change the WAN connection to match whatever you're plugging into.

 

Unfortunately it came out of his own mouth if you read closer instead of reading what you want to read the posting #6 again and tell me if that wasn't the case why even say what was said. And your clear use of fighting words demonstrates the real intent of you own posting.

Look at you own post #6 how you say it.

 

StormJumper, Mr.Koala wrote about sharing wired connection in the places where there are no wi-fi networks - by creating one using usb wi-fi dongle. It has nothing do to with hacking wi-fi networks, you misread if you think otherwise. In my post, I meant no offence or abuse to you, only to fail-wanna-be-hackers.

 

none taken but one should just talk about their own network if they want to do such projects. DIY on you own networks others can give their own experience if they tried such projects.

 

I received my USB Wi-Fi dongle. It works great. The fact that it illuminates activity by blinking may be disturbing, otherwise it's perfect. Bought it from yufurong9.

 

That sounds all good but then again laptops already have their own WIFI some better then USB wifi from my views have lower transfer speed compared to hardware wifi that is directly connected to the board side for better transfer. Also it more secure and not chance to break or loose the wifi device. That is why laptop are called portable laptop and if your laptop is way to old maybe a USB dongle will help but then again that should tell one to get a newer laptop to improve their computing experiences.

 

StormJumper, I'm going either to gift it to my friend for his Raspberry Pi, or keep it for just-in-case scenario. I thought there might be some big drawback about it like excessive heat, instability, or something else - but no, works as intended. It's cheaper than any mpcie card, new or used, and is compatible with almost everything, making it a good thing to have lying around - but nothing more, of course.