Pros: * Everything functions well. USB 3 is as fast as it should be. I have only tested the SD and microSD slots, but they work great. * No software installation. I'm using Linux Mint 19.1. * Ports are sufficiently snug, but not too tight. * Fits the 5 1/4 slot. * Looks nice.

Cons: * TF (microSD) is upside down. This was extremely frustrating until I figured it out, this does not match the photos. I can't speak for every product, but mine is upside down. The metal contacts need to be facing up in order to insert the card into the port. Then it works perfectly. * The holes on the side of the drive did not match standard mounting hardware. I was only able to get one screw in on each side, which could act as a hinge. I put it on the bottom slot of the computer so it's resting against a metal floor. Otherwise it would wiggle when using the USB port. This is the only reason I knocked it down from a 5. Really inexplicable. It's not a deep drive, but there should be enough space for two screws on each side, they just don't line up with my hardware (which matches numerous other drives perfectly).

Overall Review: It works great out of the box, first time and every time (so far). Two bizarre design flaws keep this from being perfect.

Pros: Very good, but not great, reception/signal strength. A nice upgrade over the PCI cards it replaced. Detachable antenna lets you use no antenna or use a different antenna. Easy to install just the driver without other software. Installed on Windows 7 hassle free. It's Plug-and-play with Linux. :) Uses the ath9k_htc driver. Connects very quickly to networks. Includes USB extension cable. Blinking indicator LED makes a nice night light. Attractive, I guess.

Cons: A bit bigger than some other USB devices. Might not fit next to another larger than normal USB device in side-by-side ports. But it will fit fine next to another standard USB cable plug. (It does include a USB extension cable if it won't fit by plugging it in directly). Because the "omnidirectional" antenna attaches to the side instead of the end of the device, positioning of the antenna is limited by the orientation of the USB port. On my computer, in my house, I get better wireless reception using a horizontal port as opposed to a vertical port. Both ports are on the back of my computer and it's just a 90 degree turn but there is about 10% difference in reception between the two angles. What do I do with the cap for the USB plug?

Overall Review: I liked it well enough that I ended up buying two. One for a computer I built for my dad and one for my own computer. When I bought the first one, it came with a free USB cradle (in addition to the included USB extension cable) that even has a spot that holds the cap. The cradle adds about 5 feet of cable length. I was hoping it would be plug-and-play in Windows 7 (Pro 64-bit) but I did have to install the driver with the disc. Not a big deal. My computer with Linux Mint Debian Edition recognized it immediately and it's worked great since. Two feature suggestions: Put the antenna on the end of the device or put an antenna port on both sides. Second, make the device swivel or rotate. Either of these options should ensure that the antenna doesn't get stuck at an undesirable position.

Pros: Runs virtually silent. Keeps an Intel Core i5-3470 between 28 and 34 degrees (C) at idle. Includes an external fan speed dial. Blue LED matches the other lights in my case.

Cons: The thermal paste isn't easy to apply. It's in a little tube with a hole in the top that you squeeze. The 9700 model included a brush that made it really easy to spread evenly. Connects to the motherboard's 3 pin case fan inputs rather than the 4 pin CPU fan inputs so I'm not able to adjust the speed through the settings on my motherboard. The speed dial works fine, but a lot of cases don't have a nice place to put it. I ended up leaving it on low and securing it inside the case since I have no need to set it higher. You can connect it without the speed dial but it will run at full speed which is noisy. Because of all the fins it is difficult to clean.

Overall Review: I've been using the 9700 110mm model on another build for 3 1/2 years and it's always been great. There is a note in the product description about socket LGA 1155/1156 but it seems to include those pieces now. Case: Diablotek CPA-8818-BK MB: MSI Z77A-G41 CPU: Intel Core i5-3470 RAM: Patriot PV316G160C0K (16GBx2, DDR3 1600) HD: Intel SSDSC2CT180A3K5 (180GB SSD) PSU: Corsair 430W CX430 DVD: LG GH24NS72 OS: Windows 7 Pro 64-bit