Asus (USB-AC56) Dual-band Wireless-AC1200 USB 3.0 Wi-Fi Adapter

[Chris313AllNight]

I'm helping a friend set up a soon to arrive 87U and he's got questions about USB adapters.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00FB45USW/?tag=snbforums-20

How good will this work with the 87U or is there a better one out there?

 

[sfx2000]

I'm helping a friend set up a soon to arrive 87U and he's got questions about USB adapters.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00FB45USW/?tag=snbforums-20

How good will this work with the 87U or is there a better one out there?

I have one - seems to be fine...

One doesn't need to run the "sabre like" external antenna, but it helps - also use the extended cable if you can to get it away from the computer a bit, esp. for desktops.

One thing I've noticed is that the Asus config util does get a bit confused if the SSID is common between 2.4GHz and 5GHz, and it will generally camp on 2.4GHz - shouldn't do this, but it does under Win7 - not sure about Win8

Also, most flavors of linux do not support the USB-56 without some substantial work and some linux kung-foo...

In the right conditions, it's a great USB Adapter - it reviewed well on Tim's testing - see below:

http://www.smallnetbuilder.com/wireless/wireless-reviews/32271-ac1200-usb-wireless-adapter-roundup

sfx

 

[Chris313AllNight]

I have one - seems to be fine...

One doesn't need to run the "sabre like" external antenna, but it helps - also use the extended cable if you can to get it away from the computer a bit, esp. for desktops.

One thing I've noticed is that the Asus config util does get a bit confused if the SSID is common between 2.4GHz and 5GHz, and it will generally camp on 2.4GHz - shouldn't do this, but it does under Win7 - not sure about Win8

Also, most flavors of linux do not support the USB-56 without some substantial work and some linux kung-foo...

In the right conditions, it's a great USB Adapter - it reviewed well on Tim's testing - see below:

http://www.smallnetbuilder.com/wireless/wireless-reviews/32271-ac1200-usb-wireless-adapter-roundup

sfx

Thank you. I'll pass this info on and we'll go from there. As for your comment about the linux OS, there are only windows PCs in the house, from Vista to 7 and 8 if memory serves.

 

[sfx2000]

Just keep in mind that the USB-56AC (and it's sister USB-53AC) are two stream devices, so they'll max out at AC867 (and N300 in 2.4GHz). The latest driver for the USB-56AC does enable TurboQAM for 2.4GHz, but I've not seen any improvement in most cases.

If you want three stream performance, you'll have to look at PCIe solutions like the Asus PCE-AC68 - which is more for desktops...

Last note - you might run into issues with MS Windows Vista and drivers, along with USB3.0 support for the USB-56AC.

It's a bit spendy, but I've found USB-56AC to be one of the better USB adapters on the market at present.