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Hello, Having some trouble getting my usb to serial adapter working on my macbook pro to console to my firewall. Downloaded, installed driver, and rebooted.
The Rundwon
- Best Overall:Net-Dyn AC1200 USB Wireless Wi-Fi Adapter at Amazon, “Capable of covering an area of around 100 yards while still offering its fastest connection speed.”
- Best Budget:Panda Wireless PAU06 at Amazon, “Keeps itself in the background so it does not take up too much of your laptop’s battery.”
- Best Compact: TP-Link N150 Nano at Amazon, “Has a plug-and-play design that requires little configuration regardless of your operating system.”
- Runner-Up, Best Compact:Glam Hobby 600Mbps AC600 at Amazon, “An excellent and smart way to add a 5GHz connection to a laptop or desk in a small package.”
- Best Features:Netgear Nighthawk AC1900 Wi-Fi USB Adapter at Amazon, “Includes an extension wire and stand so you can set it upright like an antenna to improve signal.”
- Best Range:TRENDnet TEW-809UB at Amazon, “Featuring beamforming technology that excels at handling multiple Internet users at the same time.”
- Best Splurge:Asus USB-AC68 at Amazon, “Featuring foldable, external antennas to provide enhanced reception for laptops when open.”
- Best for Gaming:Linksys Dual-Band AC1200 WUSB6300 at Amazon, “Featuring speeds up to 300Mbps on the 802.11n 2.4GHz band.”
- Best Design:D-Link Systems AC1900 Ultra Wi-Fi USB 3.0 at Amazon, “An orb-shaped adapter that connects to your computer via a three-foot USB cable.”
Our Top Picks
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Best Overall: Net-Dyn AC1200 USB Wireless Wi-Fi Adapter
3.6
Compatible with both Windows and Mac computers, the Net-Dyn dual band USB wireless Wi-Fi adapter is an outstanding choice for adding Wi-Fi to any computer. Utilizing both 2.4GHz and 5GHz capabilities, the Net-Dyn is capable of reaching and covering an area of around 100 yards while still offering its fastest connection speed. Reaching speeds up to 300Mbps, the addition of 802.11n connectivity guarantees a future-proofed purchase.
Setup is a snap. Just plug the Net-Dyn into your computer, install the drivers (Windows only) and connect to the Internet. Supported by all WLAN routers, there are WPA/WPA2/WEP connectivity options, which ensures the Net-Dyn works with just about any Internet provider in the U.S. Additionally, Net-Dyn provides a lifetime warranty along with routine software and driver updates.
Best Budget: Panda Wireless PAU06
The Panda Wireless PAU06 offers stellar performance at a fantastic budget price. Upgrading any computer to the future-friendly 802.11n standard means the max data rate can reach up to 300Mbps on the connection. Additionally, there’s backward compatibility with the 802.11g on the 2.4GHz band to ensure a stable connection regardless of your Internet service provider.
Utilizing low power technology, the Panda works to keep itself in the background so it does not take up too much of your laptop’s battery. Beyond battery, a WPS button works to connect the computer and PAU06 quickly without a headache for the user. The Panda is compatible with Windows 10, as well as Mac OS and various Linux systems. State-of-the-art security standards are also in place to provide the user with peace of mind through 128bit WEP, WPA and WPA encryption standards.
Best Compact: TP-Link N150 Nano
The TP-Link N150 Nano USB Wi-Fi adapter is a compact choice that’s priced just right. Just plug it into your device's USB port and you can connect to 2.4GHz band Wi-Fi at 150Mbps — it also utilizes the future-proofed 802.11ac standard. This little device has a 'SoftAP Mode' that allows you to turn your computer's wired connection into a wireless hotspot for your phone or tablet. Setup is easy thanks to a plug-and-play design that requires little configuration regardless of which operating system you’re working on. Once you’re online, this device offers 64/128 WEP, WPA/WPA2, and WPA-PSK/WPA2-PSK security standards for extra peace of mind while you browse.
The N150 Nano is a very small dongle, which means it won't interfere with other ports and you can leave it plugged in indefinitely without worrying about it getting knocked out. But it also means you'll want to stick close to the wireless or wired router/modem to get maximum performance.
Runner-Up, Best Compact: Glam Hobby 600Mbps AC600
Whether you’re looking to stream video, browse the Web or host an online video conference, the Glam Hobby AC600 USB Wi-Fi dongle is ready for action. The device offers fantastic speed capabilities (including a 600Mbps connection speed running 3x faster than similarly priced Wireless N adapters). It's capable of working on the 5GHz band for a 433Mbps max connection speed (150Mbps on 2.4GHz), and support is available for both Windows 10 and Mac OS (the former requires a software download from the Glam Hobby website).
Measuring just 22mm in length, the Glam Hobby is an excellent and smart way to add a 5GHz connection to a laptop or desk in a small package (and at a budget-friendly price tag). While the omission of the 802.11n is noteworthy, the Glam Hobby makes up for it with unique features like creating a Wi-Fi hotspot for additional mobile devices whenever there is a wired internet connection.
Best Features: Netgear Nighthawk AC1900 Wi-Fi USB Adapter
The Netgear Nighthawk AC1900 Wi-Fi USB Adapter offers you a dual-band 802.11n connection, giving you speeds up to 600Mbps on a 2.4GHz brand and 1300 Mbps on a 5GHz band. It’s compatible with Windows 7, 8, and 10, as well as Mac OS X 10.8.3 or later.
All of these features are exactly what you’d look for and expect in a Wi-Fi adapter, but the extra feature that sets it apart for this slot on the list is the ability to both plug it directly into your laptop like a thumb drive and the ability to use an included extension wire and stand to set it upright like an antenna to improve signal. This is great because you can toss the versatile device alone into your laptop bag for on-the-go Wi-Fi compatibility, and leave the stand doc at home to increase your signal when you’re at your desk.
Best Range: TRENDnet TEW-809UB
The four-antenna design of the TRENDnet TEW-809UB adapter might look a little “too much” for some buyers, but it's definitely more than meets the eye. The powerful antennas offer high-end features such as beamforming technology that excel at handling multiple Internet users connected at the same time without interfering with network performance. The antennas are independently adjustable, so you can fidget with each one to effectively increase range in your house or workplace.
It is capable of providing speeds of up to 1300Mbps on the 802.11ac standard or up to 600Mbps on the 802.11n standard. The inclusion of the latter allows for the TEW-809UB to remain future-proofed for years to come. While it might be mistaken for a router in appearance, its range rivals that of some routers (you can bank on more than 100 yards of distance before signal degradation).
Best Splurge: Asus USB-AC68
With a unique dual-winged design, the Asus USB-AC68 is one of the best Wi-Fi adapters money can buy. Featuring foldable, external antennas to provide enhanced reception for laptops when open (and easy transportation and portability when closed), the Asus offers outstanding range and speed. Utilizing powerful 3x4 MIMO (multiple in, multiple out) antenna technologies, the dual three-position external antennas pair with an internal antenna for long range connectivity. Best accounting software for small business on mac. Working off both the 2.4GHz band (600Mbps) and the 5GHz band (1300Mbps), the Asus is more than ready to tackle bandwidth-intensive tasks.
Additionally, the increased expense results in features such as AiRadar and beamforming technology that create extended coverage, dynamic speed increases and enhanced stability while online. To get hooked up, just plug it into a USB 3.0 port on your computer or into the cradle that arrives with the Asus. The desktop cradle allows for easy positioning in and around the computer to find the best signal position whereas USB-only options limit reach.
Best for Gaming: Linksys Dual-Band AC1200 WUSB6300
Where To Buy A Dongle
Released in 2013, the Linksys Dual-Band AC1200 WUSB6300 Wi-Fi adapter stands the test of time with outstanding performance and lightning fast gaming speeds. Featuring speeds up to 867Mbps on the 802.11ac 5GHz network or up to 300Mbps on the 802.11n 2.4GHz band, the Linksys is more than ready for multiplayer gaming at any hour of the day. With support for any 802.11ac routers, access points and extenders, the Linksys also supports up to 128-bit encryption through WEP, WPA and WPA2 standards.
The Linksys works with all Windows platforms, including Windows 7, Window 8 and Windows 10 for maximum use cases both in the home and office. Beyond gaming, the 1200Mbps max speed is perfect for Netflix or Hulu HD video streaming, which makes it an ideal choice for the whole family. While it might be one of the older options available, the WUSB6300 still outperforms more current options and is an excellent choice for gamers that’s priced just right.
Best Design: D-Link Systems AC1900 Ultra Wi-Fi USB 3.0
Released in late 2014, the D-Link Systems AC1900 Ultra Wi-Fi USB 3.0 adapter bares a striking resemblance to the Death Star in Star Wars. The orb-shaped adapter connects to your computer via a proprietary three-foot USB cable. At 3.2 x 3.2 x 3.2 inches in size, the D-Link might be better-associated size-wise with a baseball or tennis ball to give a good idea of just how “large” it will be on your desk. Awesome design aside, the D-Link provides up to 1300Mbps performance on a 5GHz network and up to 600Mbps on a 2.4GHz network. The flexible technology allows the D-Link to be backward compatible with 802.11/n/g/a networks.
The D-Link has advanced D-Link’s SmartBeam (aka beamforming) technology that improves coverage by directing network signal straight between a router and the DWA-192 adapter. Additionally, the inclusion of USB 3.0 transfer mode allows the user to transfer data more than 10x faster than USB 2.0 performance. All in all, while it's a little on the pricey side, it's definitely worth it.
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How We Tested
Our reviewers spent 34 hours testing one of the most popular Wi-Fi USB adapters on the market. We asked our testers to consider the most important features — from size and style to range and speed — when using this Wi-Fi USB adapter and we've outlined them here so that you, too, know what to look for when shopping.
Windows For Mac Best Buy
What to Look for in a Wi-FI USB Adapter
Size -Wi-Fi USB adapters vary in size, with some as small as a Lego block and others as large as a full-fledged router with antennas. If you’re looking for something more portable, the smaller ones work well, but bigger ones often come equipped with neat features like beamforming technology for diverting interference.
Speed -There’s nothing more frustrating than a buffering stream, so make sure you get an adapter with speeds fast enough for your needs. While 300Mbps should be enough for most tasks, some provide up to 1300Mbps.
Range -Depending on where your router sits, you might have trouble connecting. Splurging on an adapter with a longer range will come in handy if it’s far away. Some of the best options will score you up to 100 yards of range.
Test Results: Net-Dyn AC1200 USB Wireless Wi-Fi Adapter (Best Overall)
3.6
What We Like
- Improved Wi-Fi connection
- Great range
- Reliable
Although one of our testers felt that setting up this adapter was a bit challenging, he found that it worked very well once it was up and running: “I was mostly using it at the furthest location from my router in my house and it worked perfectly,” he said. One tester even measured his wireless Internet speed before and after use and found it increased by approximately 15 percent.
Despite all of its promise for a better future, the reality of living with USB Type-C is kind of a nightmare. Sure, one day maybe we’ll get to the place where every cable, every gadget, and every screen uses the next generation connector specification but we’re nowhere near that today.
Which means if you’ve got a USB-C laptop like Apple’s MacBook Pros or Dell’s latest XPS 13, and you want to get your old ports back — things like regular USB, HDMI, Ethernet, headphone jacks, DisplayPort, MicroSD, and SD card slots — you’re going to need a USB-C hub.
To be clear, we’re only looking at a very specific subset of USB-C hubs here — for the sake of this comparison, they’ve got to provide the option to continue to charge your laptop through a pass-through power port, and they can’t need their own separate power supply. That means that all those super powerful $300 Thunderbolt 3 hubs are out.
The best USB-C hub is one that gives you access to all the ports you need, and is small and light enough to easily keep in your bag at all times. It shouldn’t be too expensive, and it should work reliably without getting too hot.
We’ll continue to update this article as new hubs come out — USB-C is still a relatively new market, and companies are still constantly tinkering with form factors, port selection, and design to hit the perfect balance — so be sure to check back if you’re not buying a new laptop today. Or, more optimistically, that one day you won’t need this guide at all, because everyone will have finally switched over to using USB-C (although that still seems a long way from now.)
https://dhhrxh.weebly.com/blog/best-digital-microscope-for-mac. For now, you’ll still need a USB-C hub, and the best one out there is the Satechi Aluminum Multi-Port Adapter V2, which manages to check almost every single box on the list.
First and most importantly, Satechi’s hub just flat out offers the best port selection: three USB 3.0 ports, Ethernet, HDMI, and both MicroSD and SD card slots, along with a USB-C port for passing through power. (There’s also a slightly pricier version that throws in a Mini DisplayPort should you need one, but it rearranges the other ports to be a little more inconvenient to get to.)
The Satechi hub itself is a single compact aluminum wedge that’s doesn’t take up too much space in your bag or on your desk. And despite the metal construction, it didn’t get any hotter than my normal laptop charger did during testing.
The port layout is also one of the better thought out designs, with a single built-in USB-C cable that plugs into a computer on one end, and a USB-C input for power and Ethernet jack on the other. One side features the SD card slots, while the other has the three USB-C jacks and the HDMI port. Everything is spaced far enough apart to still easily plug things in, which is an issue with other plugs.
The Satechi isn’t perfect — it’s only specced at 49W for pass-through charging, so it may not charge your laptop quite as fast as just using the charger on its own, and it only supports 4K HDMI output at 30Hz, not at 60Hz. Plus, the higher-than-average price might be a bit of a tough selling point, especially if you’ve just spent over $1,000 on a new laptop.
But for a well-designed portable hub with the port selection that it offers, nothing else came close at the price point.
Our review of Satechi Aluminum Multi-Port Adapter V2
If you’re looking to save a little money, the next best hub is the HooToo USB-C hub. There are definitely some sacrifices that you’re going to make here, particularly Ethernet — but you’ll still get the three USB 3.0 jacks, a full-sized SD card slot, and HDMI for video out. It also actually charged faster than our main pick, offering 55W of power pass-through.
That said, unlike our main pick, there’s no Ethernet or MicroSD card slot, which might be a deal-breaker for some. But at almost half the price of the Satechi hub, it’s a great budget option, assuming you can get along without Ethernet.
You’re also getting what you pay for with the HooToo hub, which feels cheap compared to the Satechi hub, despite also being made out of aluminum. And there’s no getting around the tacky, glowing HooToo logo on the top of the hub that lights up every time you plug it in, but that’s nothing that some electrical tape can’t fix, if it really bothers you.
Our review of HooToo USB-C Hub
There are plenty of other USB-C hubs available, with different port configurations, form factors, and price points. They’ll all probably get the job done in a pinch, but for one reason or another, they didn’t beat our top picks.
Given that they’re accessory hubs, at the end of the day, almost anything should work. There are still a few things that you’ll want to look out for, including support for the USB-C PD (Power Delivery) standard, which will make sure that your devices charge right. But ultimately, go with whatever ports and style best suits your setup.
Our review of Aukey 8-in-1 USB-C Hub
Bad Stuff
- SD card and microSD card can’t be used at the same time
- Odd port placement
Our review of Bourge Design Arc Hub
Good Stuff
- Premium glass and metal materials
- Solid weight, doesn’t slide around desk
- Replaceable USB-C cable
Bad Stuff
- Extremely expensive
- Circular design is a little clunky
Our review of Anker Premium USB-C Mini-Dock
Bad Stuff
- SD card slot is upside down
- Not a lot of ports for the price
Our review of HyperDrive SOLO 7-in-1 USB-C Hub
Good Stuff
- Attaches directly to laptop to save desk space
- Integrates well with Macs
Bad Stuff
- No Ethernet
- Blocks USB-C ports
- Feels like it might snap off
Our review of HyperDrive USB-C Hub with 4K HDMI Support
Bad Stuff
- No Ethernet
- No SD card slot
Our review of HP USB-C Travel Hub
Bad Stuff
- No SD card
- Plastic feels cheap
Our review of HP Spectre USB-C travel dock
![Best Best](https://sc01.alicdn.com/kf/HTB1.D9zPXXXXXXCXXXXq6xXFXXXR/4G-USB-Dongle-with-SIM-Card-USB.jpg)
Good Stuff
- Convenient integrated cable storage
- Extra long USB-C cable
Bad Stuff
- No SD card slot or Ethernet
- Slow pass-through charging
- Way too expensive
Our review of Apple USB-C Digital AV Multiport Adapter
Bad Stuff
- Too expensive
- Slow pass-through charging
- Poor port selection
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