Home > Consumer Reviews > Compex WLU11A 802.11b 11Mbps Wireless USB Adapter

My computer sits in a wooden cubby hole in my desk with it's back against a wall. I was using a wireless PCI card (with its own moveable antenna) and I was experiencing constant fluctuations in signal strength from no signal on some days up to 70% on others. Most of the time it was very low and there were many days of 0 - 20% signal at most. I can't even use the internet if the signal is below 20%. I found that sometimes if I angled my computer so the card wasn't right up against the wall and if I fiddled with the antenna I could sometimes maintain a decent signal. I would also find that if I moved myself either closer or further away, or to the left or to the right or if I leaned my body in just the right way I could get a slightly better signal. It has been such a trial with that PCI card! Well, no more fiddling, no more shuffling back and forth and no more leaning in awkward positions. This card has performed a miracle! I placed it on my desk so it sits out in the open. The driver and utility set up was so fast and easy in Windows 98 and it immediately found the wireless signal and connected me. And here's the best part - 100% SIGNAL STRENGTH!!! It is only a few feet from where my internal wireless card used to be, but oh what a difference! This card is inexpensive, easy to set up and works great! If you are having poor connections with an internal wireless card, I strongly suggest you give this external one a try.

Though only a 802.11b, this little USB wireless adapter is the best out there. I spend about $35 for it 1/2 year ago, and basically bought it without any prior reviews information. Lucky me, this lightweight, portable USB adapter works like a charm. Install the drivers in XP after it's plugged in, and you're up and running.

Even has Linux drivers and support! (I haven't tried this yet though).

This is the best thing you can buy for under $50. Great for laptops too!

Only problem I have with this is when coming out of hibernation it often needs to be unplugged and plugged in again in order for it to aquire. Otherwise quite happy with it.

Even though instructions say that product is plug n play with windows xp, you still need to install usb xp drivers from the included disk. This took me about 5 minutes to figure out and setup. I was surfing the net wirelessly from another room in no time. Range is better than the average wireless card (802.11b).

Work fine. Drop connection on the occasion. Just don't like the fact that I need to install the driver since it's not automatically recognized by Windows XP. Don't loose the driver CD.