How would you like to install a wireless network adapter into your desktop computer without having to open up the side panel and install components into an available PCI slot? The product we will be looking at in this review alleviates this problem by allowing you to plug your wireless network adapter into a USB2.0 port. This product is the Minitar Wireless USB2.0 Adapter MN54GU.
Features:
∙ USB 2.0 Interface
∙ Free-standing External Design
∙ IEEE 802.11b and 802.11g compliant
∙ Secure Broadband Sharing
The USB2.0 interface in this adapter allows you to experience speeds up to 40 times faster than USB1.1, so you can utilize all 54mbps of the 802.11g wireless data rate. By using an external adapter, you have the freedom to position the adapter where you receive the best reception, making it capable of transferring data over longer distances. 802.11g is currently the latest in wifi standards, and this adapter is backwards compatible with previous 802.11 standards. You are also able to share your broadband connection securely by connecting to an access point with security to prevent unauthorized access.
Contents:
Included with this adapter is a short USB cable, CD, quick start guide, adapter stand, and the actual adapter. The USB cable is used for connecting the adapter to the computer. The CD contains drivers and utilities for the device.
Performance:
The external wireless adapter was installed on a computer with the following specifications:
∙ Asus P4SGX-MX
∙ A+ GPB Enterprises 420Watt PSU
∙ Intel Pentium 4 1.6GHz
∙ Crucial 512MB PC2700 DDR-RAM
∙ Western Digital 40GB 7200RPM
After the drivers and the device were installed, we connected to a Minitar MN54G4R Residential Gateway and Asante FR1104-G. After using this wireless adapter for several hours, we were pleased with the performance. We experienced no packet loss and the connection remained “good” at over 75 feet away from the router.
Conclusion:
As you can see, the external adapter performs up to expectations. Configuration and setup was very easy; no problems were experienced. If you prefer an external adapter, whether it is because you are looking for better reception, don’t have any available PCI slots, wish to bring the adapter with you where you go, or are uncomfortable installing components inside your computer, we would recommend the Minitar Wireless USB2.0 Adapter.
Pros:
∙ Performs well
∙ Security capabilities
∙ USB2.0
∙ Installation couldn’t be simpler
Cons:
∙ Needs longer USB cable
