Like many others, I have my computers hooked into the internet via a wireless network. I have DSL service from the phone company. Into the DSL modem I have a Belkin pre-N Wireless Router. In my opinion, this remains the best wireless router on the home market in terms of range. I connect my notebook via a Belkin pre-N Wireless PCMIA Card that’s designed to work with the router. However, connecting the desktop has always been an issue. I never wanted to run Ethernet cabling through the house to directly wire it in. Belkin does sell a pre-N desktop adapter, but it fits into the desktop via the PCI slot. As I didn’t want to give up my last expansion slot for the WiFi adapter, I used a USB WiFi Adapter, from Buffalo. However, I’ve been dissatisfied with the performance. As I watch more video content online, it becomes more crucial to maintain the signal without dropouts and reconnects, or else the video keeps reloading from the beginning on many of the television network websites which can be more than a little annoying.
Unfortunately, Belkin did not make a pre-N Wireless USB Adapter. However, for their latest router, the N1, there are notebook, desktop, and USB adapters available. The Belkin N1 Wireless USB Adapter fits into the category of “draft n” hardware. This is the attempt by the manufacturer to offer a product that exceeds current 802.11g WiFi standards, incorporates some of the potential technology in the next wireless standard, but in the end offers no promises in actually conforming to the new n standard, when it is released. In other words, it’s a transitional technology.
I’d like to make a disclaimer here, as the Belkin N1 Wireless USB Adapter is designed to work specifically with the N1 Router. This is a multiple antenna product that claims theoretical speeds up to 300 mbps. All of my testing was done with the previous generation Belkin pre-N Wireless Router. While it is a multiple antenna configuration (MIMO), it is the prior generation of technology, has tops speeds of 108 mbps, and is supplanted by the N1 Router for the top banana spot.
Included in the box is the N1 Adapter, a stand with an integrated USB cord, the software on CD, and the instructions on paper. I like that there is a stand included as it positions the internal omnidirectional antenna off of a hard surface (like the floor or a desk), and elevated for better reception. When using the N1 Adapter with a notebook, it can be plugged in directly to the USB port without using the stand. Also, theoretically, by having the N1 Adapter on the cord and stand, it can be better positioned for reception, rather than in a fixed position behind the computer.
Installation consists of installing the driver from a CD, and then connecting the adapter to the USB port. While the software disc was supposed to go automatically, I had to go in and click directly on the installer program on my Windows XP Pro SP2 desktop. The latest driver is also available from the Belkin web site for download. Once the software is installed, plugging in the N1 Adapter to a USB port has it recognized promptly. The N1 Adapter has a blue LED that confirms that it is receiving power.
My original plan was to be able to compare the wireless range of the N1 Wireless Adapter to the Belkin pre-N Notebook Card at various distances from the router (of course the neighbors would be starting to wonder, but hey, what we do in the name of serious science!). So much for those plans. Our frigid subzero temperatures in the Northeast have shelved those plans as a frozen notebook wasn’t in the budget.
So why not just check the range inside the house? Well, the answer is that anywhere in my house, both the N1 Adapter and the pre-N Notebook Card have a full speed connection to the router. Of note, the N1 Adapter does default to the 802.11g speed of 54 mbps when connecting to the Belkin pre-N Router. I think the “problem” with my plan is that the pre-N Wireless Router’s coverage is simply too good to test the range of wireless hardware (as an aside, I run my router in the basement to avoid sending the signal too far beyond my property).
However, in my use of the N1 Wireless USB Adapter, I can confirm that the range is great. First of all, it connects to my own router and stays on the connection as tightly as a famished leach. Of course it supports the wireless encryption schemes of WEP, and WPA. Once hooked in wirelessly, it simply stays fully connected. This makes it ideal for streaming video and audio applications as dropping the signal ruins the entire experience. While I approve of the idea of being able to move the adapter towards the router to improve the signal, quite frankly it’s totally unnecessary as the connection is that good without such fine tuning.
In my suburban neighborhood, I’m not the only guy with a WiFi network. With my previous wireless adapter, I consistently pick up signal from two neighbor’s networks that find their way into my home. I occasionally pick up a third one if it is a clear day and the conditions are favorable. A handheld WiFi detector has confirmed this for quite some time now. The N1 Adapter totally blew this away. Not only does it consistently pick up those three networks, but it found three more, two of them I never picked up before. Amazingly, one of those networks I’ve subsequently figured out is five houses down the block! Thankfully, even with all of these competing networks, I’m able to connect with my router with no difficulty so without the included software, I wouldn’t even know that they were there.
My conclusion is that the Belkin N1 Wireless USB Adapter is one great piece of networking gear. While some have been anti anything that doesn’t conform to the official N standard, I’ve taken a different view. For the time being, we still need to be able to connect, and it’s unclear when the next generation of wireless networking will be signed off on. And then we have to wait for the corresponding products to hit the market. Yes, just like with processors, there is always something better on the horizon. However, we still need something today. For users looking for a stable wireless adapter suitable for use on both notebooks and desktops, the Belkin N1 Wireless USB Adapter should be at the top of the list as it more than makes it on its own merits.
–Jonas
Special thanks to Belkin for supporting this review.
