![]() If you have a MacBook or an Apple desktop, check out the new BearExtender n3 for about $45. If you’re looking for a directional antenna for a computer, consider Hawking Technology’s Hi-Gain Wireless-150N USB Dish Adapter for around $60, released this last July. USB adapters are easier you’d just have to plug them into a port. However if you bought a whole new adapter as well, you’ll have to open up the computer case if it’s a PCI adapter by following the directions that came with it. If you purchased just an antenna or a set of antennas, screw the old ones off and put the new ones on. Upgrading a desktop PC is usually easy, too. If this is the case, simply plug it into the USB or PC card port. Upgrading your laptop usually means you’ve bought a new wireless adapter with a better antenna(s), rather than just the antennas. Make sure they screw on tight and point them up. Then you should be able to screw on the new antenna(s). If not, they probably aren’t detachable or replaceable. They should screw off by hand fairly easy. Upgrading your router’s antenna(s) shouldn’t require any tools. If you do look at lone antennas, make sure you get one that has the same connectors as your adapter or router. You’ll probably want to find a wireless adapter that comes with the high gain antenna, as opposed to purchasing just an antenna that connects to your current adapter. If you’re using wireless N, make sure the antenna supports it. There are also numerous companies that offer universal antennas. It works with both the desktop adapters and routers of their Xtreme N and RangeBooster N product lines. For example, D-Link offers the Xtreme N 2.4GHz Antenna (ANT24-0230) for about $30, pictured below. See if they offer replacement antennas for your particular model. You’ll just have to make sure it points toward your wireless router.įirst, check the vendor website of the router or adapter you want to upgrade. For wireless adapters, you could consider a directional antenna though. For the router you’ll probably want to stick with a non-directional antenna that sends and receives in all directions, which they call omni-directional. However, the higher the gain also means the more directional the antenna. Keep in mind when shopping, the higher the gain (measured in dBi), generally means the further it will transmit and receive. ![]() Replacing the antenna(s) on the wireless adapter will give you better range for that particular computer. ![]() Replacing the antenna(s) on your router can give you better overall coverage. But you can buy antennas that are enhanced, generally giving you better range and performance. Wi-Fi vendors almost always slap on the cheaper antennas. But for even more range, there are “special” routers that come with features like hi-gain antennas that boost coverage.Įditor's Note: Here is a link to our favorite wireless AC routers, the latest Wi-Fi standard. You can pick a “normal” router, which is what you’ll find on most shelves and sites. You’ll typically have to lay down $50 – 100 for a router and $30 – 70 for each computer you want to upgrade. If you’re unsure, get the model number and search for it online to find the product details.įor optimum range and performance, you want both the router and the wireless adapter on the computer to be wireless N. If you aren’t sure which wireless standard you’re sporting, take a look at the router. The illustration bellows depicts this technique. If you have a Windows PC or laptop that gets a good connection to the router, and it’s in between your router and the computer that’s having problems connecting, you can use the Wireless Hosted Network as a “repeater.” This isn’t the best solution, though, if you want full performance on that faraway computer. This can be a temporary or permanent solution to get the Wi-Fi signal extended to a computer outside the router’s coverage area. They’ll get Internet access through the host’s connection. Other Wi-Fi users can connect to the virtual router. It essentially makes your wireless adapter a virtual wireless router, even when you’re connected to another wireless network. Create a Virtual Access PointĪ new feature that debuted in Windows 7 lets you create what Microsoft calls a Wireless Hosted Network. If not, you can try the other techniques that follow. Then see if it fixes your connection problems. If it looks like there is a better spot for the router where you can also hook up the Internet modem, go ahead and try it. ![]() This will limit where you can place the router. So you need to consider the locations of cable or telephone outlets cable if you have a cable Internet connection and telephone if you have DSL Internet. As you might remember, your Internet modem is connected to the router.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |