Is this a good wireless usb adaptor?

[fbrm]

Retail Plus Mini Wireless 54Mbps 802.11g/b USB Adapter

http://www.staples.ca/ENG/Catalog/cat_sku.asp?webid=657427&AffixedCode=WW

[samab]

It is based on a chipset whose manufacturer (zidas) no longer exists (zidas was bought up by atheros) --- so you may have a hard time getting driver updates.

[fbrm]

Thanks samab,

I can't find more inexpensive wireless adaptor, then again maybe thats why they are so cheap.

[mingyang]

get a tp-link from pcgate for 20 bucks

[samab]

Same chipset.

[justmehereajax]

I have exactly 3 of those. I never had any problems with them over the past 3 years.

Works in Windows 98SE, XP and VISTA. Range is good. Speed is good.

Compared to my $50 Dlink USB one, I can not see a real difference.

Buy and Try. Not expensive enough to worry.

Dave

[Kanus]

I have exactly 3 of those. I never had any problems with them over the past 3 years.

Works in Windows 98SE, XP and VISTA. Range is good. Speed is good.

Compared to my $50 Dlink USB one, I can not see a real difference.

Buy and Try. Not expensive enough to worry.

Dave

Are you referring to the Retail Plus or TP-Link adapter?

[justmehereajax]

Are you referring to the Retail Plus or TP-Link adapter?

I would neve buy a USB Wifi adapter from a local shop. I trust Staples. I can buy an try it out without any hassle. This Retail Plus adapter has been sold at Staples for nearly 3 years. It must be 'good'.

Buy it. It's only 25 bucks and returnable.

Dave

[fbrm]

I would neve buy a USB Wifi adapter from a local shop. I trust Staples. I can buy an try it out without any hassle. This Retail Plus adapter has been sold at Staples for nearly 3 years. It must be 'good'.

Buy it. It's only 25 bucks and returnable.

Dave

Thanks for all your help, sounds like from your experience and comments the hardware works well. I was wondering in the future if this will work as well. The manual says Support Microsoft Windows 98SE, Me, 2000 ,XP and XP x64, Vista. Do you have to install drivers or do the above OS have generic drivers? Is it reasonable to assume this device will not work after VISTA? I am not interested in wireless N at the moment as its expensive right now, I am trying to avoid obsolescence due to software issues only (hardware is perfectly fine). Then again is there any usb wireless adaptor that would not face the same driver issue?

[justmehereajax]

Thanks for all your help, sounds like from your experience and comments the hardware works well. I was wondering in the future if this will work as well. The manual says Support Microsoft Windows 98SE, Me, 2000 ,XP and XP x64, Vista. Do you have to install drivers or do the above OS have generic drivers? Is it reasonable to assume this device will not work after VISTA? I am not interested in wireless N at the moment as its expensive right now, I am trying to avoid obsolescence due to software issues only (hardware is perfectly fine). Then again is there any usb wireless adaptor that would not face the same driver issue?

I am not sure why you are asking "after VISTA". Come on, its only $25. Its not enough to worry about for the next 3 years. It's not refurbished or "crapolla" for sure. BECAUSE this is a universal Wifi adapter that sells quite a bit in quantity under different names, I bet "someone" will release NEW drivers as time progresses.

There are two driver sets that I know about for Windows XP. The one it comes with and a utiltilty called "ZDWlan" Zydas software based on ZD1011B chipset I believe. For Windows VISTA, I installed it without any hassle with the CD. Maybe I think... VISTA came with generic drivers for it too.... try and buy. Heck its Staples that you are dealing with, not refurbs Canadacomputers. :D

Dave

[samab]

You should get this from tigerdirect --- TP-Link TL-WN620G --- special for $26.

http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applications/searchtools/item-Details.asp?EdpNo=3350605&sku=D145-1004&srkey=TL-WN620G

It's based on Atheros AR5523 --- not the zd1211/zd1211b chipset.

[fbrm]

thanks Ps, i picked up two of the RP.

[lead]

I had the retail its nothing great random disconnects needing reboot to reconnect. They have similar versions at dealextreme.com for the same price or less.

[GeneYuss]

I have 2 Retail Plus Mini Wireless. I've had them for 1 year with no problem. I want to pick up another.

Driver's can be found here;

http://www.retailplus.com/support.htm

For XP, I used utiltilty called "ZDWlan" which is included in the drivers. For Vista, I just plug in the RP mini wireless and it says "install new hardware". It says insert cd but just click "advanced option" and browse for the vista drivers on your harddrive that you downloaded from retailplus.com

[loybond]

There's no exact science to it apparently, but a lot of people experience a lot of disconnects with a lot of USB adapters. My tips to you > Get an internal card if possible, and definitely buy it from a place with a return policy.