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Which Adapter is better?
I have a Netgear Nighthawk AC1900 Router. I looked everywhere for a Netgear AC1900 Wireless USB adapter but can't find one. Not in the store, or on the website (Netgear.com). I guess they don't make those yet (Maybe they will hear me crying over here). The closest I found was a Netgear AC1600 Wireless USB Adapter on Amazon. I did however find a ASUS AC1900 Wireless USB adapter. My question is should i go with the ASUS with matching standard and speed? Or should I go with the Netgear with matching brand and standard but not speed? Or does it even matter? If I could find the matching netgear adapter that would be best.
Thank you for any help.
Netgear doesn't offer an AC1900 USB adapter. They don't have an AC1600 adapter, either.
Note: AC1900 is short hand for 600 Mbps at 2.4 GHz and 1300 Mbps at 5 GHz. For dual-band routers, which have multiple radios that operate simultaneously, this term is a helpful way to sum up the total Wi-Fi capacity.
But a Wi-Fi adapter cannot use both 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz simultaneously. That is, an AC1900 adapter cannot connect at 1900 Mbps. Therefore, when shopping for adapters, you should look deeper at the individual 5 GHz and 2.4 speed capabilities. If you want the absolutely fastest speed possible, then find an adapter that can do 1300 Mbps at 5 GHz. Both AC1900 and AC1750 USB adapters can do 1300 Mbps at 5 GHz, so you can save a little bit by getting an AC1750 adapter.
If you somehow feel compelled to get an AC1900 adapter, I wouldn't bother. 600 Mbps at 2.4 GHz is not a standard Wi-Fi speed at 2.4 GHz. 450 Mbps at 2.4 GHz is standards compliant, hence AC1750 (450 Mbps at 2.4 GHz + 1300 at 5 GHz) is good. Finally, there are so many 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi networks out there that 2.4 GHz should be avoided. Use 5 GHz whenever possible unless distance and penetration through walls make it unusable.
The brand of adapter should not matter so long as it complies with Wi-Fi standards, which should generally be the case. Where you may find differences are range, tweakability of settings and software bugs. Read the reviews online and at the manufacturer's forums to gauge reliability and performance.
2 Replies
Netgear doesn't offer an AC1900 USB adapter. They don't have an AC1600 adapter, either.
Note: AC1900 is short hand for 600 Mbps at 2.4 GHz and 1300 Mbps at 5 GHz. For dual-band routers, which have multiple radios that operate simultaneously, this term is a helpful way to sum up the total Wi-Fi capacity.
But a Wi-Fi adapter cannot use both 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz simultaneously. That is, an AC1900 adapter cannot connect at 1900 Mbps. Therefore, when shopping for adapters, you should look deeper at the individual 5 GHz and 2.4 speed capabilities. If you want the absolutely fastest speed possible, then find an adapter that can do 1300 Mbps at 5 GHz. Both AC1900 and AC1750 USB adapters can do 1300 Mbps at 5 GHz, so you can save a little bit by getting an AC1750 adapter.
If you somehow feel compelled to get an AC1900 adapter, I wouldn't bother. 600 Mbps at 2.4 GHz is not a standard Wi-Fi speed at 2.4 GHz. 450 Mbps at 2.4 GHz is standards compliant, hence AC1750 (450 Mbps at 2.4 GHz + 1300 at 5 GHz) is good. Finally, there are so many 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi networks out there that 2.4 GHz should be avoided. Use 5 GHz whenever possible unless distance and penetration through walls make it unusable.
The brand of adapter should not matter so long as it complies with Wi-Fi standards, which should generally be the case. Where you may find differences are range, tweakability of settings and software bugs. Read the reviews online and at the manufacturer's forums to gauge reliability and performance.
Ok Thanks! I will make sure it has 1300mbps on the 5GHz band.