Customer Reviews

TP-LINK TL-WN821N Wireless N USB Adapter Atheros 2T2R, 2.4GHz IEEE 802.11b/g IEEE 802.11n Draft 2.0 USB 2.0 Wireless N Adapter 300Mbps Data Rates 64/128/152 bit WEP WPA/WPA2 WPA-PSK/WPA2-PSK (TKIP/AES)

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

As a linux user primarily, I had had limited luck with similar items from Medialink, D-link and Ralink. This one, which uses the Atheros guts, is the most linux friendly of the bunch, and also works great with Windows 7. At last I can use my desktop with wireless that just plain works, regardless of which version of linux I use. To be frank, there are some linuxes that still don't work with it, but they are now the minority. All the big name distributions work flawlessly with this, and with linux getting better and better on a daily basis, this will only improve. No drivers to install... (unlike windows) just plug it in and it sees your available connection(s). Now that's what "plug and play" should be... not plug, insert cd, wait a few minutes, reboot, THEN (maybe) play. Sheesh!

I've had a Wireless N Router for some time now, but I always had a Wireless G Network adapter built into my laptop. I figured I'd go for the upgrade, because I could use a better signal with the extended range. I did my homework. I read reviews on EVERY Wireless N Adapter on the web. I came across this TP Link one, and figured it was the best bang for my buck. Well, that couldn't be further from the truth.

Prior to using this network adapter, I had a 54.0 MBPS connection -- the standard for a Wireless G. After hookup, It went down to a variable rate of 14.0 MBPS to 27.0 MBPS. The speed was more than cut in half! I thought I did something wrong, so I went through the installation steps again, and even did research online as to what I may have done wrong. Turns out, nothing.

So the speed was cut in half, but what about the range? Didn't increase a lick. This was actually a DOWNGRADE from the built-in Wireless B/G router I had already installed on my computer for free!

I'm appalled at the misleading reviews on here, as they were most likely planted. Avoid this adapter at all costs!

Oh, by the way, none of the software passes Verified Windows tests either. Throughout the installation, you constantly get "Warning!" pop-ups.

**Updated, December 22, 2009**

I've been using the adapter now a few weeks, and I mistakingly blamed the TP-Link Adapter for the slow down in the connection. It actually had something to do with my router. I now get speeds of 108.0 MBPS, so my internet speed DOUBLED. I'm happy with my purchase now, and can recommend this adapter.

This product works flawlessly straight out of the box. The installation was a snap. It works best with the small usb extension provided. I use it with an old Dell laptop to connect it to my new D-Link615 router. It connects my network between two buidings separated by a small area of tropical rain forest, a distance of more than three hundred feet,and through three concrete walls.I like the AES encryption for the enhanced security. This has got to be the best product for the price. I was really impressed with the performance..

As always, I do some research to determine which product will benefit my needs. One thing that attracted me most was the security aspect of this TP-Link product. Yes, it does everything it says it will do.

What I like most about it is its connection speed. Once the computer comes on, the adapter immediately connects to the router.

My only suggestion is that you must read the instructions thoroughly prior to installation. If you first plug it in before you read the instruction, you may run into some problems.

It is on my desktop through a USB cable and it works well. Installation was easy. Well pleased.

I bought a similar product at a local computer store but it never worked. I finally ordered 2 of these and they work great. I use the enclosed extension cable and place the adapter in the best spot for reception and it works great. Worth the money, easy to install and set up.

I bought this device to allow my wife's Dell laptop to access our new refurbished Linksys WRT-160N router. Now I'm going to buy another to connect our kitchen computer. After installing the drivers the laptop found our network quickly and boosted speed from 54 mps to 117 mps. The USB adapter is a bit large, but the included USB cable makes that a moot point. Frankly for the money you really can't do much better.

Purchased this and received it quickly. A snap to install and works better than I ever expected. We have our office upstairs and our wireless router downstairs. Hooked it up to an older(2-3 years) desk top in our office and works like a charm. It's fast and at such a great price you can't get a better deal. I am very pleased with this product.

I purchased this wireless adapter to transfer data from my laptop to main server and back at a speed faster than "G" speed. My laptop has (at least I thought) a weak antenna and is only capable of wireless-G speed. This adapter should provide me with higher "N" transfer speed and better reception. I installed the drivers on a Windows 7 32bit machine without issue.

Test results:

Laptop Built in Wireless 3945ABG card ASUS G1 :

Maximum transfer speed : 1.21 MB/s

Signal Strength (-60dbi)

TP-LINK TL-WN821N USB Adapter from exact same location :

Maximum transfer speed: 1.8MB/s

Signal Strength: (-72dbi) *** LESS than built in card even though number higher

By moving closer to the router, the TP-LINK TL-WN821N data transfer speed picked up to a maximum of 7.15 MB/s

Is it worth it?? I suppose if you need an adapter, this one will do, nothing remarkable.

This adapter is working well so far on my HTPC in the living room. I don't yet have an N router, so cant review that aspect. This replaced my netgear USB wireless wg111 piece of junk..

Speed seems on par with G and range is slightly better than the Netgear I had.

Driver install was easy on Windows 7, using the Vista drivers it came with. I did not run the installation program that came with it on a mini-cd ( havent seen one of those in a while ) instead, manually installed the driver in the device manager. It complained it was not signed, but loaded correctly without issue.

I didn't give it a 5 because I didn't review N speed... Otherwise awesome little adapter.