WiFi USB adapter with pivoting joints? Interesting, I wonder if it’s actually even helpful for better signals.
The Package and Bundle
The package comes with the USB device, the joint, the USB extension cable and a lanyard. Driver CD and installation manual included of course.
The key highlight is of course the USB device with the joint that allows you to pivot not only for better reception but also for more space.
Installation and Performance
Installation was a breeze, it’s just a matter of plugging the device and installing the driver.
I installed this on an ASUS Eee PC 1000HA and compared whether the device actually gives an advantage over the onboard WiFi unit.
Here’s what the signal looked like with the onboard WiFi device.
And here’s with the ASUS USB WiFi, adjusted to point upwards.
LZ78 and WL-AM604g are essentially from the same location, within my lab which was upstairs. The Eee PC was downstairs, at the hall. Bad WiFi is another nearby router from one of my neighbors (hey dude, if you’re reading this – thanks!)
As you can see the signal of 2 out of 3 of the avaiable WiFi spots turn out stronger.
Conclusion
As you can see, the device certainly helps getting stronger signal. That tiny bar of separation could mean between a YES and NO when it comes to Internet access.
🙂 Whether or not should you spend on this device is entirely up to you but from what I see so far, it could prove to be helpful – You never know when you’re gonna need it. Personally I think device is a more reasonable purchase if someone doesn’t have any 802.11G device and looking for something that can be adjusted without having to use the USB extension cable. RRP is RM 70.
mr kentang,
i feel you are writing these “reviews” just for the sake of having articles on your site. apart from pointing out that the USB dongle Wi-Fi adapter was an improvement from the built in Wi-Fi on a netbook, what comparative value do you deliver?
there is no information on signal stability or link quality (quality is different from strength) and besides displaying a few pictures of the unboxing of the unit, I don’t notice anything else that would provide the user with actual decision-making value in deciding whether or not they should go for it or not.
have also noticed this in several other of your reviews. if you are going to call this a “tech site” with product reviews, you could at least make sure that the articles cover much more rather than your “user experience”. because you are not “reviewing” much apart from giving your own personal opinion on the items.
😀 it’s stated in the ABOUT page for 2 years now, that my articles will be SIMPLISTIC.
I just share what I can, within my testing time availability and my limited skills. I’m sorry if it doesn’t suit your taste or requirement but as stated in the earlier sentence – I have my limitations, that doesn’t mean I can’t share about it. Having any less information doesn’t make it not a REVIEW either.
There’s no particular rule of what TECH SITE should have, and what a PRODUCT REVIEW should have. FYI if you noticed all my articles, I am not following the usual style as seen in Xbit, Anands, Toms and so on, some people don’t like it (clearly you’re one of them) yet some people do (which is why I have around 300 – 400 visitors daily).
I hope you understand that I can’t satisfy everyone. I could choose to satisfy you and one day anon comes back an say “great job!” but in doing so I surely would be adding a lot more dissatisfaction to my side, and i could make it less satisfactory to others too.
btw, I’ve responded to your last comment. 😀 Drop me an E-mail in private should you think there are methods or ways you think I should give it a try. Once again, thank you for your feedback.
I’ve used this USB WiFi adapter…it work well with my XP desktop but problem with my Vista desktop. The driver provided is for XP. I’ve download Vista driver from the Asus VIP website and installed it. Yes, it work but sometime the BSOD came out bevcause the driver issues. Crash and need to restart…haiyaaa…
Anyway, yes the signal reception is good!
Thanks for the feedback, I’ll highlight the matter to ASUS and / or whoever it may concern. 🙂
to mr.kentang..
im also using usb wifi adapter.. but cheap one.. TP-Link..
as long im able to surf for free.. it doesn’t matter to me..
i support whateva u do.. proud to be malaysian! 🙂
and i love to read your articles.. keep it up
thank you for the support! 😀 and I hope Malaysia can be proud of me too.
Your review really sucks..could you at least tell us what chipset this wireless devices uses and can it work on linux ! show ing a few unboxing pic and call this a tech site is pure rubbish..
A little manner when posting would be appreciated.
It’s using Ralink RT73 Chipset. From what I know, it works on Linux but from what i know it works on RH7.1 but do take note that the older version of this USB device doesn’t work well with Ubuntu, you can use Google for that. I don’t have Linux installation to test on.
And lastly, as in my reply to you would be as to my reply to anon earlier. Too bad if you find the review here sucks and the site rubbish. Thank you for visiting and posting your comments. 🙂
Nice review, i like the way you write simple and clean yet brings out the meaning of it. Been here after being bored to the way others tech blog present their article that were too complicated that wasn’t necessary.Keep it up.
TECH BLOG WITH A DIFFERENCE
goldfries rawks 😀
thank you! I appreciate the appreciation! my readers are my motivation. 😀
for Asyraf,
I’ve used this USB WiFi adapter on my notebook with vista 32bits OS. it works well, the driver version i used for vista is 3.1.4.0~~~,which is the latest one, and what about your information?
I use Asus WL-167GV2 on my Acer notebook and it works great. Not only it gave me strong signal, it has never disconnected before, really stable.
Previously, the built-in wireless on my Acer notebook only gave me weak signal and disconnect frequently. Now this Asus adapter gave me max bars even though I sit about 50m away from the router in a different room.
how much the price?
I bought one from uawifi.com model UA3.
Very good one. Range is excellent.