I purchased this USB-AC56 to replace an old Linksys USB wireless adapter I was using now that my computer isn't situated next to the modem. Speeds were, well, less than stellar on the old adapter.
This new one though? Wow, night and day difference! Where the old one would struggle to hit 2Mbs from the room directly above the router, this one is pulling in closer to 60Mbps. Not to mention I can now see a bunch of other networks, which is impressive since those houses are several hundred feet away! For the sake of transparency, I did screw in the optional antenna, so this isn't using the internal one.
Windows 10 picks the adapter up without having to install the Asus software, and it works OK in that configuration, but I was able to get better performance by downloading the Realtek driver for the RTL8812AU, which is the chipset in the unit. Interestingly enough, the Realtek driver also identifies it as an Asus unit, and is newer than Asus's own driver.
My only real complaint is the somewhat stiff USB cable (had to bend it to get it to stop from tipping over) and the blinking blue light. Seriously, tech companies, stop putting blue lights on everything! At least this one isn't stupidly bright.
| Wireless Type | 802.11ac |
|---|---|
| Number of USB 2.0 Ports | 1 |
| Number of USB 3.0 Ports | 1 |
