Cheapest I’ve found anywhere. Seems to be $50 ish in most places.
Stock checker:
https://ow.c0r3.xyz/result.php?product=DLDWA182&state=ALL&hi
D-Link DWA-182 AC1200 Wireless USB Adaptor $20 + $5 Shipping / $0 Pickup @ Officeworks
200
Lgreenmachine17 on 27/08/2022 - 15:17 officeworks.com.au (760 clicks)
Last edited 27/08/2022 - 15:19 by 1 other user
Last edited 27/08/2022 - 15:19 by 1 other user
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"but seems not reliable."
That was my experience with it as well. Coincidentally I double checked and this DWA-182 was the exact model that broke on me before I implemented my solution in the comment below. It is a very old model since I remember having it from many years ago.
Even when it worked I had this issue where it would regularly drop connection while in use. No amount of online troubleshooting fixed it, it was only until I played with the WiFi adapter properties through trial and error one by one after searching what they did on google did I manage to find a combination that stopped the WiFi connection from dropping. And not long after the adapter stopped working all together.
This was just on my old PC with Windows 10, and there is a comment below saying they work perfectly so not sure if it is a specific compatibility problem with Windows 10 YMMV.
D-Link is pretty well known for being terrible. But this is very cheap and assuming you pick up, you can return it if you have issues.
Just a PSA. This is cheap, but you can turn an old WiFi extender into a WiFi receiver and connect it to your PC via ethernet. Saved me from having to buy a WiFi adapter.
I did just this, set it up as a Extender like normal then connect with ethernet to PC. Then go into the Extender settings via browser and turn off the 2.4Ghz band, keep the 5Ghz band only and turn off the broadcast of the extended network (both 2.4 and 5Ghz).I think mine is only an old AC750 or AC1200 extender but I get full download and upload speeds that NBN will allow when using 5Ghz enabled only.
This. Computer wireless receivers are always so expensive, and deliver worse performance bcos of the limited antennas. But wireless routers are all over the place. Just take one, put it into wifi bridge mode, and you have something that rivals the better wireless cards (at the cost of portability and power consumption)
"and you have something that rivals the better wireless cards (at the cost of portability and power consumption)"
I didn't really think that hard when I did it, I just had an old extender lying around and remembered how much I paid for it so it just made sense to put it to use instead of spending more money. It just needs to have an "ethernet port". Performance is flawless, after initial setup I have not needed to tinker with it at all. Afterwards I have just logged in once to check for firmware updates, but it had already performed them automatically.
I assume a lot of people will similarly have one lying around, because at a certain point "mesh" WiFi systems just took over and are far superior rendering Extenders more for special use cases.Regarding power consumption. Yes that is one thing it is "always on", I haven't measured how many watts it consumes but it is a small extender so I like to think it's not much. Also hopefully the Netgear extender I have does have some smarts at least, like "down time" without any traffic (the only thing it should be getting traffic from is the ethernet, so when the PC is off there is 0 traffic). There is a convenient on/off switch on the side you can easily press to power it off if you want to, it needs to be in a convenient location to reach though like on the desk with an extension cord. Mine is just under the desk plugged into the powerboard.
Edit: I just looked up the specs, 0.21A maximum @ 240v. So around 50w at max. My thoughts are cut that in half if you stop using the antennae for broadcasting (Extender function) so about 25w~30w max. I am pretty sure WiFi antennae consume the bulk of the power usage. Then maybe around 10w on idle I dunno just guessing here. Yeah not great for something that's on 24/7, I think it's because it's an old model.
I have 3 of these, haven’t skipped a beat since bought them 2 years ago. Great price.
Great price for Click & Collect. Note: Unavailable online, so no delivery and you’ll be going in and asking for it in store (or on the phone if you’re patient enough).
Had this for a few years now. No complaints at all.
Checked on those review and seems it's a pass…Cheap for sure but seems not reliable.