Question 1

Does this work for desktop pcs? And is this suitable for HD streaming and or gaming?

Accepted Answer

I am using this on a laptop, but I don't really see the difference since they both have usb ports and they both have network cards.  But I am not a hardware person.

I also don't game.  But this is what I can tell you.  I have a laptop with a 2.4 Ghz network card.  I have a dual band router, but because of the limitations of my nic card, I could only achieve speeds of up to 35 mbps wirelessly.  I couldn't change out the nic card without flashing the BIOS, which is a VERY bad idea.  So I brought this adapter in order to reach the 5Ghz band on my router.  I am now getting the top speed my modem allows, which is 120 mbps and I am getting that wirelessly .  That is certainly enough fot HD.

It was easy and fast to install and worked the first time.  I had bought a different adapter before this one and never got it to work.  If yoy are paying for higher internet speed, I am positive this adapter will achieve it.  I have been using it flawlessly for 6 months.

Feel free to ask me more if I didn't answer your questions.

Rachel

Question 2

Will it work with Windows 10?

Accepted Answer

Yes. I am using it on 10.

Question 3

Will this product work with Windows XP PC's and an IBM thinkpad?

Accepted Answer

I don't know. I think it would as long as it has USB 2.0 compatible port.

I used it on Windows 7 and Windows 8.1 and now Windows 10, they all worked well.

Question 4

does this work with debian based linux distros?

Accepted Answer

This card does not work with Linux kernel versions after 3.16. So, probably not.

Question 5

I have a pc on the other side of the house. It's a good 30 - 40 feet away. What is the range of this adaptor?

Accepted Answer

I have successfully used this adapter at a distance of 50 ft away and there was a wall between my laptop and the router.  This was on a older Acer laptop that I upgraded from Windows 7 to Windows 10.  This adapter has worker on Windows 7, Windows 8.1, and Windows 10.

Question 6

for those who have it, what's the chipset or this device? you can know that by checking it's name in the device manager of windows.

Accepted Answer

Device manager on Win 7 does not report a chipset. It appears to be an RaLink/Mediatek 7650 device.

Question 7

Will this give me better reception than my internal laptop wifi card like on school campus where the wifi signal drops in certain areas?

Accepted Answer

You'll almost always get better reception with an external antenna. Results will vary depending on the environment, but for me it works well as a replacement for the built-in wifi in my laptop. The extension cable that comes with this adapter is a big plus.

Question 8

Can I use this for my smart tv?

Accepted Answer

No. Use power line networking

Question 9

Is the WiFi chip atheros?

Accepted Answer

No. The chipset is MediaTek mt7610u.

Questions & Answers