Wireless Type | 802.11a, 802.11g |
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Alfa Long-Range Dual-Band AC1200 Wireless USB 3.0 Wi-Fi Adapter w/2x 5dBi External Antennas - 2.4GHz 300Mbps / 5Ghz 867Mbps - 802.11ac & A, B, G, N
Purchase options and add-ons
Brand | ALFA Network |
Hardware Interface | USB |
Color | black |
Compatible Devices | Laptop, Desktop |
Product Dimensions | 3.35"L x 1.02"W x 0.47"H |
Data Link Protocol | USB |
Data Transfer Rate | 300 Megabits Per Second |
Item Weight | 25 Grams |
About this item
- Amazing Data Transfer Speeds: N 300Mbps, AC 867Mbps
- Supported Standard's: 802.11a, 802.11b, 802.11g, 802.11N, 802.11ac
- Wide Range: Includes 2 Dual-Band (2.4GHz / 5GHz) Removable 5dBi Rubber Duck Antennas
- Supports Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8.1, Mac 10.5, 10.6, 10.7, 10.8, 10.9, 10.10 & Linux
- Wireless Security: WEP 64-Bit, WEP 128-Bit, WPA-PSK, WPA2-PSK
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This Item Alfa Long-Range Dual-Band AC1200 Wireless USB 3.0 Wi-Fi Adapter w/2x 5dBi External Antennas - 2.4GHz 300Mbps / 5Ghz 867Mbps - 802.11ac & A, B, G, N | Recommendations | dummy | dummy | dummy | dummy | |
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Price | -17% $49.99$49.99 List: $59.99 | -8% $59.99$59.99 List: $64.99 | $79.97$79.97 | $42.99$42.99 | $11.99$11.99 | $64.98$64.98 |
Delivery | Get it Mar 25 - 27 | Get it as soon as Tuesday, Mar 26 | Get it as soon as Tuesday, Mar 26 | Get it as soon as Tuesday, Mar 26 | Get it as soon as Tuesday, Mar 26 | Get it as soon as Friday, Mar 29 |
Customer Ratings | ||||||
Tech Support | 4.0 | 3.8 | 3.0 | 3.8 | — | 4.0 |
Easy to install | 4.0 | 3.8 | 3.4 | 4.4 | — | 4.1 |
WiFi signal | 4.5 | 4.4 | 3.4 | 4.5 | — | — |
Sold By | DBROTH | DBROTH | PAC Solutions | Top123Edge | Mustpoint | My Needle Store Intl |
data transfer rate | 300 megabits per second | 867 megabits per second | 3000.0 megabits per second, 1200.0 megabits per second | 150 megabits per second | 867 megabits per second | 1200 megabits per second |
data link protocol | USB | USB | USB | IEEE 802.11ac | USB, IEEE 802.11ac | USB |
hardware interface | usb | usb3.0 c | usb | usb | usb3.0, usb, usb2.0 | usb3.0 c |
operating system | 8 . 1,Linux,Mac,Vista,Windows Xp | 8 . 1,Mac Os,Operating System,Windows 7,Windows 8,Windows Vista | Windows, Windows 10, Windows 11, Windows Os | 8 . 1,Linux,Operating System,Windows 10,Windows 7,Windows 8,Windows Vista,Windows Xp | Mac | 8 . 1,Linux,Mac,Vista,Windows,Windows Xp |
weight | 25 grams | 0.26 kilograms | 0.1 kilograms | 0.08 kilograms | — | 0.57 pounds |
From the manufacturer
Alfa Long-Range Dual-Band AC1200 Wireless USB 3.0 Wi-Fi Adapter
Features
Upgrade your PC to the next generation 11AC WiFi
- Amazing Data Transfer Speeds: N 300 Mbps, AC 867 Mbps
- Wide Range: Includes 2 Removable 5dBi Rubber Duck Antennas
- Wireless Security: WEP 64-Bit, WEP 128-Bit, WPA-PSK, WPA2-PSK
No Introductions Are Needed
Whether you''re using a desktop, laptop or a netbook, the Alfa AWUS036AC requires no more than a USB port. Slide it in, install the Utility, and Connect to your network. The USB 3.0 interface keeps the connection to your computer strong and snappy at super transfer speeds of 5Gbps. Best of all, the Alfa measures just 85 x 26 x 12 millimeters and weighs in at a super-light 25 grams so that it goes anywhere you do and brings wireless wonder along. It also by far outperforms the wireless cards that are built into newer laptops, and enhances both the range and signal quality at longer distances.
Dual-Band AC1200 Wireless USB 3.0 Adapter
Incredible Performance from 2 Dual-Band Antennas
Alfa’s AWUS036AC is designed for those with a serious need for wireless Internet speed. Its 2x dual-band antenna (2.4GHz / 5GHz) setup lets you connect to AC networks at a tire-burning 867Mbps and to any networks up to a whopping 300 Mbps. As the new wireless draft 802.11ac technology was developed to optimize the handling of heavy data transfer demands like video streaming and large files syncing, the AWUS036AC is the ultimate tool for taking advantage of the next wave in wireless connectivity. Yet, despite all its power and speed, this little Alfa comes in a really small form factor akin to a USB thumb drive.
Removable Rubber Duck Antennas for Powerful Flexibility
The AWUS036AC ships with two detachable 5 dBi dual-band dipole rubber duck antennas. While these are über-powerful in their own right, the RP-SMA female antenna port can accept antenna upgrades to boost your wireless range and signal even more. Once your antenna of choice is connected, this turns into a standalone Wi-Fi receiver that puts the connected world at your fingertips. Alfa is also seriously invested in your privacy, and to ensure the AWUS036AC is as secure as it is reliable, it includes support for enterprise-class wireless security WEP 64-Bit, WEP 128-Bit, WPA-PSK and WPA2-PSK.
Product information
Technical Details
Brand | ALFA Network |
---|---|
Item model number | AWUS036AC |
Operating System | 8 . 1,Linux,Mac,Vista,Windows Xp |
Item Weight | 0.882 ounces |
Product Dimensions | 3.35 x 1.02 x 0.47 inches |
Item Dimensions LxWxH | 3.35 x 1.02 x 0.47 inches |
Color | black |
Computer Memory Type | SRAM |
Manufacturer | Alfa Network |
ASIN | B00MX57AO4 |
Is Discontinued By Manufacturer | No |
Date First Available | August 21, 2014 |
Additional Information
Customer Reviews |
4.3 out of 5 stars |
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Best Sellers Rank | #862 in USB Computer Network Adapters |
Warranty & Support
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Product Description
Incredible Performance from 2 Dual-Band Antennas
Alfa's AWUS036AC is designed for those with a serious need for wireless Internet speed. Its 2x dual-band antenna (2.4GHz / 5GHz) setup lets you connect to AC networks at a tire-burning 867Mbps and to N networks up to a whopping 300Mbps. As the new wireless draft 802.11ac technology was developed to optimize the handling of heavy data transfer demands like video streaming and large files syncing, the AWUS036AC is the ultimate tool for taking advantage of the next wave in wireless connectivity. Yet, despite all its power and speed, this little Alfa comes in a really small form factor akin to a USB thumb drive.
Removable Rubber Duck Antennas for Powerful Flexibility
The AWUS036AC ships with 2 detachable 5dBi dual-band dipole antennas. While these are powerful in their own right, the RP-SMA female antenna port can accept antenna upgrades to boost your wireless range and signal even more. Once your antenna of choice is connected, this turns into a standalone Wi-Fi receiver that puts the connected world at your fingertips. Alfa is also seriously invested in your privacy, it includes support for enterprise class wireless security WEP 64-Bit, WEP 128-Bit, WPA-PSK and WPA2-PSK.
No Introductions Are Needed
Whether you're using a desktop, laptop or a netbook, the Alfa AWUS036AC requires no more than a USB port. Slide it in, install the Utility, and Connect to your network. The USB 3.0 interface keeps the connection to your computer strong and snappy at super transfer speeds of 5Gbps. Best of all, the Alfa measures just 85mm x 26mm x 12mm and weighs in at a super-light 25 grams so that it goes anywhere you do and brings wireless wonder along. It also by far outperforms the wireless cards that are built into newer laptops, and enhances both the range and signal quality at longer distances.
Customer reviews
Customer Reviews, including Product Star Ratings help customers to learn more about the product and decide whether it is the right product for them.
To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. It also analyzed reviews to verify trustworthiness.
Learn more how customers reviews work on AmazonCustomers say
Customers like the performance, reception and ease of setup of the network interface controller adapter. For example, they mention it delivers solid performance, improves the signal strength and the antennas make a massive difference. That said, some complain about the connectivity issues and the fact that it drops the connection constantly. That being said, opinions are mixed on quality, value, dropouts, and compatibility.
AI-generated from the text of customer reviews
Customers are happy with the performance of the adapter. They say it delivers solid performance, good speeds, and is pleased with connection performance. They also say that it works like a charm and provides a high-speed signal. Some customers also mention that the network was noticeably faster than the WD Powerline kit.
"I bought it about a month ago and have had no problems with it. It works well, and hasn't been giving me any problems lately...." Read more
"...Impressive! In fact, my network was noticeably faster than the WD Powerline kit (200 Mbps) than I had been using...." Read more
"...I have no issues streaming 4K video from my NAS, file copies are sufficiently fast to/from the NAS, and I am not getting dropped connections at all...." Read more
"...Still waiting.Furthermore, the adapter does not work well with the OS X sleep mode, and will not wake for a time machine backup or any..." Read more
Customers like the reception of the network interface controller adapter. They mention that it improves the signal strength, and the range is vastly superior. The antennas make a massive difference, and it's a very good Wi-Fi adapter with Wireless AC technology and removable antennas. They also say that it connects to two different neighbourhood hotspots.
"...Pros:Works on Windows 7 and 8.1Good signal reception and transmissionDoesn't cut out..." Read more
"I got this for my son for his birthday and he LOVES it. Its range is awesome and it works great with linux. The company is responsive and kind." Read more
"...1. Range and Compatibility: The range easily surpasses more than a half mile, with the card I'm picking up signals my stock wireless card didn't..." Read more
"...Once I plugged it in, it automatically launched its own wireless utility (installed as a part of the driver) and I simply selected my Wifi network,..." Read more
Customers find the network interface controller adapter incredibly easy to install. They say it's a simple plug-and-play item that works well. Customers say it makes using the internet and gaming a breeze.
"...Never had problems installing the drivers. I added both SSIDs (2.4GHZ and 5GHZ) to my profile so I can switch anytime...." Read more
"...The directions for installation are very simple, the cord is long enough to go over half of a desk, with a desktop at the floor on the sides...." Read more
"...First is that you can't install the device utility alone, you have to install the driver, too...." Read more
"...to the close to flawless connection, it has certainly made using the internet a breeze.USE:..." Read more
Customers are mixed about the quality of the network interface controller adapter. Some mention it's a really good wifi adapter, while others say that it'll never get above 61%. The USB stand is awesome, but the cable isn't 3.0. The antenna construction uses standard connectors and has the ability to replace. However, some say that installing the drivers on Ubuntu failed, the signal strength was 100, and the link quality never got above 61.1.
"...It operates at 300 Mbps instead of 150 MbpsIt comes with a USB dock that has a 4' USB cableNo problems with shipping...." Read more
"...However, signal strength was 100 and link quality never got above 61%Q: What is "Link Quality"?..." Read more
"...base, and the CD install problems don't bother you, this is a really good wifi adapter." Read more
"...Installing the drivers on Ubuntu failed and I gave up...." Read more
Customers are dissatisfied with the connectivity of the adapter. They mention that it drops the connection every 2-3 hours, and it requires several attempts to get it connected again. Some say that the USB connectivity just isn't recognized. Overall, some customers are disappointed with the adaptor's connectivity.
"...Install and reboot. I have the utility, but the wifi is down. Great...." Read more
"...At 400 feet it detected it with strength 100 and quality 80, but couldn't connect. Only when I was within about 70 ft did it actually connect...." Read more
"...copies are sufficiently fast to/from the NAS, and I am not getting dropped connections at all...." Read more
"...Had to reduce it down to two stars because both the 2.4GHZ 5GHZ connections are very unstable and drop speed randomly...." Read more
Customers are mixed about the value of the network interface controller adapter. Some mention it's good for the money and well worth the risk, while others say it'll be a waste of money. Some say the software is unimpressive and frustrating. Overall, opinions are mixed and depend on individual preferences.
"...All in all, I'm really satisfied with this device. The small size, good price, good power, remove-able antennas and the ability to do both 2.4 Ghz..." Read more
"...It is far more expensive than a lot on the market, but it is ultimately worth it if your computer is not able to retrieve good signals otherwise...." Read more
"...The price is well warranted..4. The device is able to capture several networks in my neighborhood. On 2.4GHz, there are 27...." Read more
"...The accompanying software, while usable, is unimpressive, with all the hallmarks of get it out the door Chinglishware...." Read more
Customers are mixed about the dropouts of the network interface controller adapter. Some mention that it has yet to drop out, lose connection, or even drop randomly. However, others say that it connects, sometimes drops frequently and needs to be reset. The product is top heavy and falls over constantly.
"...are helpful for the Wifi, but can be bothersome as the structure occasionally falls over with lack os support.SHIPPING:..." Read more
"...No drop-outs. This Alfa is a dual-band, beamforming unit, but I haven't had a chance to try it on an available 5 gHz signal yet...." Read more
"...Wired speeds are 140/12 mbps. As others noted, the tiny base falls over easily, but otherwise the product seems fine...." Read more
"...I wish the design was less intrusive. Tips over easily, and the blue LED is so bright...." Read more
Customers are mixed about the compatibility of the network interface controller adapter. Some mention that it works with standard pre-installed Microsoft drivers out of the box, while others say that it's not 100% compatible with Windows 10.
"...Something else that is neat here is this this works with out of the box drivers with Ubuntu with no further modifications necessary...." Read more
"...the same result - the device was 100% non-responsive and not recognized by any computer...." Read more
"...It works plug and play with Windows 10, you do not need to install any extra drivers." Read more
"...no networks (usually there's mine and 4-5 neighbors) or windows can't recognize the device and I have to download the drivers on my phone to get it..." Read more
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Anyway, on to the long version. At first I was a little worried about buying it given some of the negative reviews and all of the driver problems. I'm running a Win 8.1 machine. But bought it anyways just to try it. The shipping was great, I received it in 2-3 days and the device was completely intact and new.
I tried just plugging the adapter and letting Windows auto install the driver for it because people have said that the driver on the CD didn't work. Windows did download a driver for it, but the driver didn't seem to work. It could see Wi-Fi networks around my house, but I couldn't connect to them, so I used the CD to install the driver and the Realtek USB service (after uninstalling the old driver that Windows downloaded). In the event that you do plug it in and the driver installs and you want to uninstall it, unplug it, go into device manager, and uninstall the driver. You can also try keeping it on there, but I didn't want to risk messing something up. In retrospect, the reason that I couldn't connect to any Wi-Fi was probably because the Realtek USB service is required. Edit: After a bit of use it seems that it is not required, but I like the service.
So, just for reference, every single step I took once I put the disc in is as follows (which means a very long list. In reality it isn't as bad as it seems, just a lot of clicking. You can also skip it and just get to the overall review.):
1. Opened "File Explorer" and clicked on "This PC" in the Navigation Menu (Also known as My Computer on older systems).
2. Right clicked on my DVD drive and clicked on the "Open" option.
3. Double clicked on ALFAINSTALL.exe (by the way, I remember reading a review that said a user's manual was not included on the CD. I found one in the "doc" folder on the CD.) You could also let it auto run.
4. When it opened, there were three buttons. One was "Browse Disc" and the other two were for selecting the product you had. I clicked on the one that said "AWUS036AC", which is this product. The other option was a slightly different adapter.
5. When I clicked on it, it asked me which driver I wanted to install or if I wanted to view the user's manual. (The three drivers it listed were Windows, Linux, and Mac. Not sure how well the Mac works, but I will look at the Linux and edit this review later.)
6. Clicked on the "Windows Driver" button and it came up with another list of buttons that asked if I was using XP, 7, or 8/8.1.)
7. Clicked on the "8/8.1" button and then hit "Yes" when UAC popped up.
8. Next it had me install the Realtek USB Wireless LAN Driver and Utility. (Which is a fairly nice piece of software by the way.)
9. Hit "Next" on the screen that popped up.
10. It came up with a bar that said it was installing and then Windows asked me if I wanted to install the device software. Checked the box asking if I wanted to always trust software from Realtek Semiconductor Corp and then hit install.
11. It installed and then asked if I wanted to restart my computer now or not. I hit "Yes, I want to restart my computer now." and then hit "Next".
12. After my computer restarted I hit the "Show Hidden Icons" button on the right hand side of the taskbar, clicked on the "Realtek USB Wireless LAN" (hover over it to see the name) which opened an application window.
13. I then plugged in the wireless adapter and the application automatically found it.
14. I clicked on the "Available Network" tab and it showed a list of networks I could connect to.
15. I clicked on the network I wanted, typed in the Network Key (password), hit "Okay", and it worked perfectly. I tried it on 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz and both of them work fine.
If you have any questions, please ask in the comments.
So far, the signal has been fairly consistent. It is usually around 95%, but goes between 90 and 100. For some reason it also occasionally freaks out and drops to 75% or 80%. But maybe that's because I am using USB 2.0 instead of 3.0 so it's not getting the same power it would on 3.0 (I have no clue so I am making a slightly educated guess)? I don't have good internet, so I can't speak for the speed. Also, I regularly use the 2.4 GHz band because 2.4 GHz is an inherently stronger/farther reaching signal. At average of 95% I am around 30 feet away from my router, with a few walls in between. I have noticed that the percentage doesn't really change much between 20 and 40 feet. It stays in that same range I mentioned earlier, and it still does the same freaking out thing.
Just so everyone knows, I am using a Wireless-N network on the 2.4 and AC on the 5. I am also using a USB 2.0 because of the orientation of the USB ports on my laptop. It's light enough that you can also stick it strait into your computer without harming it or the USB port.
Pros:
Works on Windows 7 and 8.1
Good signal reception and transmission
Doesn't cut out
The Realtek USB Wireless LAN program is pretty good
It supports USB 3.0
It supports AC wireless
It operates at 300 Mbps instead of 150 Mbps
It comes with a USB dock that has a 4' USB cable
No problems with shipping. It came in 2-3 days.
It is as it was advertised
You can use different antennas if you want, maybe a lower or a higher dbi antenna
Cons:
Sometimes the installer disc ships with old drivers
Can use without the two antennas, but not very good wireless
The dock is 2.0
Occasionally freaks out and drops about 15% in signal strength
10" tall when in dock and about 8-1/2" tall when in computer
Requires the Realtek Software to operate well
At some point here I will test it on Linux and edit this review to include info about how it works.
Windows 10 found the driver, and I immediately had a list of wifi networks available. Impressive! In fact, my network was noticeably faster than the WD Powerline kit (200 Mbps) than I had been using. I wanted to measure how much faster, so I went to the website to download the utility.
First problem: The utility isn't available as a download from the support page on their website; only the driver. I didn't need the driver, because it was working fine. So, pop the included DVD into the optical drive, and start the install. The installer walks me through a bunch of options, but the one option I'm looking for (choose to install the utility only) isn't there; I have to install the driver from the DVD to get the utility. Unfortunately, there's no mention of Windows 10 in the installer, only Windows 8. I cross my fingers and hope I don't screw up a working wifi adapter.
Install and reboot. I have the utility, but the wifi is down. Great. Fortunately, I have some experience troubleshooting driver issues, so after 20 mins of fiddling with it, I am able to get back to Windows 10 driver I was using, and I still have the utility installed.
I'm connecting to a dual band AC gigabit router. According to the utility, my signal strength is in the low 70%, but my link quality hovers in the 90%. That's great. My actual bandwidth is generally at 585 Mbps, with occasional fluctuations -- awesome. I've seen it drop to 325 Mbps, but that's rare.
So, there's really just two issues with this adapter, neither of which are a show stopper. First is that you can't install the device utility alone, you have to install the driver, too. It's understandable that they wouldn't have a Windows 10 install yet, as Windows 10 is so new. The utility isn't needed for the adapter to work, but it's nice to see the performance.
Second issue is that the base that comes with it is only USB 2, while the adapter is USB 3. Now, the max theoretical bandwidth of USB 2 is 480 Mbps. That's still pretty decent in 2015. But it would definitely be throttling down your wifi bandwidth, and I suspect that most people who buy this adapter are looking for performance. You will need to buy a third party male-to-female USB 3 cable, if you need to mount this wifi adapter somewhere other than the back of your computer.
There you have it. If you can live without the base, and the CD install problems don't bother you, this is a really good wifi adapter.
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In particolare, per quanto mi riguarda, a suddetta distanza la diminuzione della velocità è:
-14% in download
-25% in upload
Il driver di connessione è abbastanza intuitivo, su Windows 10 in totale penso che 15/20 minuti siano sufficienti per installare e collegarsi a una rete. Fondamentale per un buon segnale è che il puntamento delle antenne verso il modem sia abbastanza preciso, altrimenti la connessione potrebbe funzionare a scatti o avere una velocità inferiore a quella che potrebbe ottenere con il puntamento adeguato; utile a questo scopo il supporto incluso nella confezione che permette di far ruotare liberamente le antenne. Da notare che esse sono abbastanza vistose (sono lunghe circa 18cm), ma viste le prestazioni ne vale assolutamente la pena.
Consigliatissimo!