Laptop 802.11ac adapter

[ascanio1]

Hello,

I installed a new ASUS RT-AC66U and now I need a new 802.11ac laptop adapter for my Sony Vaio VPCSA.

It must be really very small:
Preferably this size: http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-USB-2-0-Wireless-Adapter-802-11N-2-4GHZ-150Mbps-Wifi-WLAN-IEEE-With-CD-OKTP-/311091128122?pt=US_USB_Wi_Fi_Adapters_Dongles&hash=item486e79e73a or this size:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/TP-Link-TL-WN823N-Mini-300Mbps-WiFi-Wireless-USB-Adapter-802-11b-g-n-Windows-8-/281441216958?pt=US_USB_Wi_Fi_Adapters_Dongles&hash=item41873429be Please note that these 2 links' sole purpose is to show the size! These links have nothing to do with brand, model, type etc...

Which brand, model has the best 802.11ac throughput? Are there any 3x3 in this size? Preferably I want to install only the drivers and not a whole software package.

Thank you in advance for any adviece.

 

[thiggins]

There are no USB 3x3 AC adapters.
Those adapters you are looking at are 1x1. They will provide 433Mbps maximum link rate.

We reviewed 2x2 adapters http://www.smallnetbuilder.com/wireless/wireless-reviews/32271-ac1200-usb-wireless-adapter-roundup

 

[ascanio1]

Thanks Tim, I read the review and, actually, that's why I posted here: I was hoping that there would be other, smaller 802.11ac adapters. What's the next best thing?

 

[thiggins]

Thanks Tim, I read the review and, actually, that's why I posted here: I was hoping that there would be other, smaller 802.11ac adapters. What's the next best thing?

Next best thing to what? Swappoing the mini PCIe card in the Sony is cleanest. But some manfs restrict the cards that can be used.

Not many choices here besides this
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00DMCVKMU/?tag=snbforums-20

All the little "stubby" adapters are 1x1.

 

[azazel1024]

I am not aware of Sony restricting anything, so you could drop an Intel 7260ac in there most likely. Pretty cheap too.

For little, yup, 1:1 is your only option. They also have ITTY bitty antennas on them, so expect performance similar to a cell phone in terms to wifi signal/range (IE you are not going to have the modest gain from a regular laptop antenna, which isn't much, but most laptops seem to have ~2-3dBi antennas in them, the itty bitty USB wifi adapters likely have isometric antennas, which means 0dBi, it isn't really THAT huge a difference, but it does make some difference in terms of maximum range and also performance at the same range).

 

[ascanio1]

Hmmm... I might want to try that. But I'm a bit scared as I've never opened any PC/laptop! What's the best place (forum) to get Sony Vaio hardware upgrade advice?

I still didn't understand if a little stubby USB 1x1 is better than my Vaio VPCSA internal adapter or not. On-board I do NOT have 802.11ac but I do have both 5 and 2.4 GHz radios.

 

[TonyH]

Hi,
Disassembly/reassembly of laptops are not that difficult, usually WiFi mini card is easy to access, a matter of removing bottom panel. Try to find Youtube for your Vaio. This is OT, I got almost new 14" Alienware laptop dirt cheap with one problem, busted RJ45 jack. I suggested owner to use USB-RJ45 adapter but did not like the idea and passed the laptop to me. I had to take the whole laptop apart to get at the broken jack, replaced it, reassembled laptop. Voila every thing is fine, I got nice laptop for 200.00 plus my ~5 hours labor, LOL! Don't be afraid of opening up your laptop. Again check the Youtube. I replaced many different WiFi cards in many different laptops and even installed 3rd antenna without any issue.

 

[ascanio1]

Thanks... I watched a few videos... I might try...

Great advice to watch those videos! I didn't imagine there were so many YouTube tutorials out there!

Should I decide to not try to change my internal adapter, then, would a little stubby USB 1x1 be better than my on-board (Intel Centrino Advanced-N 6230 and Realtek PCIe GBE controller) Vaio VPCSA internal adapter or not ???

Again, thanks! Much appreciated!

 

[ascanio1]

Best laptop 802.11ac adapter ?

I want to upgrade my Sony Vaio VPCSA with a 802.11ac adapter and I would like advice as to which is the best WiFi adapter for my Laptop.

Someone on the forum convinced me to do it following some YouTube tutorials. It seems really pretty straightforward:

- download driver
- open,
- switch cards,
- close
- play


Please talk "simple" as I have ZERO experience in hardware and I never opened any PC in my life, let alone a laptop!!


Thanks in advance!

 

[azazel1024]

Thanks... I watched a few videos... I might try...

Great advice to watch those videos! I didn't imagine there were so many YouTube tutorials out there!

Should I decide to not try to change my internal adapter, then, would a little stubby USB 1x1 be better than my on-board (Intel Centrino Advanced-N 6230 and Realtek PCIe GBE controller) Vaio VPCSA internal adapter or not ???

Again, thanks! Much appreciated!

Depending on the router you are connected to, probably not. In my experience 11ac 5GHz performance is roughly twice as fast as 11n 5GHz performance.

That means a little 1:1 11ac USB adapter on a good day is going to have as much 5GHz performance as your dual stream 11n internal adapter on 5GHz. The laptop is going to have much better range 2.4/5GHz and performance on 2.4GHz.

I would only swap the internal adapter or consider getting a 2:2 USB 11ac adapter. Otherwise you are likely to see little to no performance difference.

 

[azazel1024]

Intel 7260ac.

If you get it, just make sure it is the 802.11ac version, there is an 802.11n version with an almost identical name.

 

[ChristineBCW]

Asc, in following up with AZA's warning, here's a Google Search Page for his suggested Intel 7260ac.

Notice the top 5 photos. Those are all the "N" device, not the "AC" version.

It's not until I scroll down the NEWEGG link that I see the $32.99 "AC+Bluetooth" product.

(I'm not advocating NewEgg one bit... it's just an example of how tricky Google searches and Intel's indistinct nomenclature allow vendors to practically trick an unwary customer.)

* * * *

As for doing the work yourself... you may need some very fine-pointed philipshead screwdrivers - like those watch-menders' kits sometimes called "precision screwdriver kits".

And I'd find a mildly-magnetic screwdriver tip to help retrieve recalcitrant bolts from their hiding places. (Yes... I've tried screaming at them. Name-calling. They act like they can't hear me, and will merrily sit there, tucked away. Grrr - where's the magnet?!!)

 

[ascanio1]

@ ChristineBCW & Azazel,

Thanks. I'll definitely go with the stubby USB, then!

I have USB3, does that make any difference? I looked here on SNB but I couldn't find a stubby ac adapter comparison. Which do you recommend?

 

[ChristineBCW]

Yes, no stubby's here. I don't know if that's because they're too significantly under-performing - but that's likely the case since they'll be 1x1 only.

I prefer the USB kits that come with a cradle and USB-cord extension so I have some easy adjustment ability to perhaps improve performance. It's worth it to me. AND I have long arms and sharp elbows so coffeetable-mates end up evacuating anyway. As some famous person once said: SPREAD OUT!

If you're considering the stubby's with some belief that you'll just leave them plugged in and 'be very careful', you might consider this: if you damage or lose those USB devices, they can be replaced. But if your computer's USB port is mashed, smashed, bumped, twisted - then a li'l convenient stubby has ruined a whole lot more.

 

[Lukaszenko]

I have a Sony Vaio and unfortunately the install was NOT all that simple. It seemed like Sony indeed did try to block me from using the 7260ac.

I quickly scrambled to Google a way around it, and there IS one which is not too difficult. It simply involved blocking access to one of the pins on the 7260ac. I did it with a piece of Scotch tape and a scalpel (as the pin is pretty small), and to my amazement it worked.

I have no idea what the function of that pin was other than to block access to the card.

 

[ascanio1]

Thanks! Since I was worried about that... I went for the stubby!