[Solved] Recommended mini USB wireless Wifi dongle?

lele · #1 September 16th, 2012, 11:24

Hello,

my USB wireless WiFi dongle is supported, but it is bulky, therefore I'm looking for a mini one. By "mini", I mean something like this:

I've looked into the Hardware Notes for the chipset of all the mini USB wireless dongles I've found online, and none was supported.

Is there a mini USB wireless WiFi dongle you'd recommend?

Thanks.

zer0sig · #2 September 17th, 2012, 06:44

My Microsoft one seems to work, though I have found XFCE acting a little funny with the external mouse whereas if I don't use it, the touchpad seems more reliable (frustrating as typing with that thing drives me nuts - might have to find a way to disable it while typing) - the mouse that goes with it is the Mobile Mouse 3500 - I reckon a keyboard would likely run off of it but I've never tried as this is on a notebook, and my favorite keyboard is an old HP that plugs into a PS/2 or AT port (depending on which cord I use) anyway.

zer0sig · #3 September 17th, 2012, 06:46

I have noticed that it does not (or did not last I tried) seem to like the wireless transmitter for my Logitech M305 (a very common model that works fine in Windows - i think the USB subsystem has trouble recognizing it when I check

Code:

dmesg

lele · #4 September 17th, 2012, 10:49

Thanks for the replies, but I'm looking for a WiFi dongle. My post was not specific enough, sorry. I've updated it.

zer0sig · #5 September 18th, 2012, 06:31

Gotcha. wish I could help.

**SirDice** · #6 September 18th, 2012, 08:05

I don't think Wifi dongles that small exist. What you have shown is usually a bluetooth or a mouse/keyboard 2.5GHz dongle. Both have a fairly short range and can thus fit better in a smaller housing.

lele · #7 September 18th, 2012, 10:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by SirDice

I don't think Wifi dongles that small exist. What you have shown is usually a bluetooth or a mouse/keyboard 2.5GHz dongle. Both have a fairly short range and can thus fit better in a smaller housing.

Apparently they do exists. Look for "micro wifi dongle" on Ebay, for instance ("mini wifi dongle" will get you more hits, but it will match bulkier models as well). Maybe they have a short range, thus they are not recommended? Yet, at the moment I'm using a bulky Belkin F5D7050 and still it doesn't see as many networks as the wireless card on my Thinkpad, but then that seems to be a known issue for this dongle (for those curious, see http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cOMsPWlvbtg).

lele · #8 September 18th, 2012, 15:41

Yes, they are less powerful. With USB dongles you sacrifice power for convenience. An alternative is going for high-gain USB dongles, like this one:

Now, if only it was red instead of white, then it would have been perfect ;-)

AJ-BSD · #9 October 5th, 2012, 19:01

Random idea:
There are SD Cards with integrated WiFi.
If your laptop has an SD slot, maybe one of those WiFi-SD cards could work?

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Recommended USB Wireless Adapters for FreeBSD with Kismet	alharaka	Peripheral Hardware	0	January 15th, 2011 22:45
USB wireless dongle detection	pigling	FreeBSD Development	0	August 31st, 2010 10:12
Recommended PCI wireless card with HOSTAP	qsecofr	System Hardware	2	August 16th, 2010 23:47
Recommended PCI wireless card	parrot	System Hardware	4	February 23rd, 2010 21:06
mini PCI Express wireless LAN	mephju	Mobile Computing	7	September 8th, 2009 14:20