Where to Buy a Wi-Fi USB Adapter?

Geewhizz on 02/02/2012 - 09:29
Last edited 02/02/2012 - 10:14

I need to buy a wifi usb adaptor today, so obviously mail order is not an option. I don't need anything flash, just something that will connect the desktop system (which has no wireless card installed) with the wifi modem when the regular broadband server is down. Where is the cheapest place I can walk into to get one? As stores go, we have all the regular suspects, but don't have MSY.

A good online price that officeworks would match is an option too, I guess, although the local store seems to have a lot of things that they don't stock.

Find Me A Bargain

Comments

  • _Bruce_ on 02/02/2012 - 09:36

    I'm not clear, do you want wifi or 3G?

    In Melbourne the option main options are centrecom and scorptech, but this probably doesn't help you.

  • Geewhizz on 02/02/2012 - 10:02

    My desktop computer doesn't have wireless connectivity to gain internet access via the wifi modem, so I'm just after an external dongle that will plug into the USB socket.

    In Melbourne the option main options are centrecom and scorptech, but this probably doesn't help you.

    No, I'm in regional QLD

  • Geewhizz on 02/02/2012 - 10:11

    Sorry Bruce, I've just realised why the confusion. Wifi usb adapter might be a more accurate description of what I am after (as opposed to wifi usb dongle as originally stated.) Thanks, shall edit post.

    Don't know what I'd do without you sometimes. :]

  • _Bruce_ on 02/02/2012 - 10:16

    Well there are a few places here (listed above) where I can get one for $20 (or just under), so if you can find a local place that offers that it is as good as any. Better adapters may have better range/speed, but for internet not too far from the access point, anything should work just fine.

  • Geewhizz on 02/02/2012 - 12:18

    Thanks for that.

  • dan76n on 02/02/2012 - 18:50

    I picked one up from eBay and the bloody thing melted in about a month. Don't go too cheap.
    Can you move the router to the pc and run it wired?

    • Geewhizz on 02/02/2012 - 19:28

      Can you move the router to the pc and run it wired?

      That is what we are currently doing. We have a voip wireless router, running via the modem, with this particular computer also connected to the modem.

      The problem I was having whereby I needed it today eventually sorted itself out around mid afternoon. Every time I started up the computer it SEEMED to be tripping out the modem, so I wanted to disconnect it from the modem, so that I could check it. Quite probably this wasn't the case though, and there were more likely problems at dodo's end. (Surprisingly we rarely have troubles with dodo, so I guess we can think ourselves lucky)

      Thanks for the warning on the cheap ones though. Jaycar has one that looks reasonable for $30, but none in stock.

      Any suggestions on which of these would be better?

      http://www.jaycar.com.au/productView.asp?ID=YN8307&keywords=…
      http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/250960788099?hlp=false

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