Linksys AE1200 Wireless-N USB Adapter - High Speed WiFi Dongle for PC & Laptop, 300Mbps Wireless Network Adapter, Plug & Play, Compatible with Windows 10/8/7 - Perfect for Home Office, Online Gaming & Streaming

Had my 3-computer (Win 8.1 desktop, Win8.1 laptop, and Win7 laptop) Wi-Fi set up on a good Linsys router (N600). Prevously, all was on an Ethernet tangle of wires which worked well, but wanted to move into the Wi-Fi world. Got set up with good speed, at 30 Mbps.Then my provider changed twice over a 1-year period, and the latest provider has done a good job generally. But while the Win7 laptop was still on Ethernet, the other two were Wi-Fi. I noted some speed loss, and ran my antivirus, ran a disc cleaner recommended by my IT pro son, made sure my disc was defragged, checked for disc problems, and damage to the platter. Very little improvement.Son then reminded me that Wi-Fi is generally slower than Ethernet, so if I wanted to return to 30+ Mbps from my current 4 to 15 Mbps, Ethernet was necessary, or try an (expensive) new router.Put the desktop back on Ethernet, and got my 30+ Mbps back. Hooray! How about the Win8.1 laptop? A wire across the desk (my setup) again? Again my son came to my rescue, noting the laptop had an Intel Wi-Fi from 2 years ago, before 20+ Mbps was common. Get a "dongle" instead that will handle the faster speed. Not sure I want something hanging off my USB 3.0 port, but ok.So ordered this (to match the router's capability) from Amazon, and when it came, installed it. Voila! back to 30 Mbps for the Wi-Fi laptop, bypassing the slower (obsolete?) Intel Wi-Fi. Me like a LOT. For the price, an inexpensive upgrade to stay near the (b)leading edge of computing. Amazon got it here in two working days, solving the issue. I am pleased with this item. Uploads remain at about 5 Mbps, but downloads are FAST.ADDENDUM: July 2015: Since then, the AC1200 dongle, together with a newer Linksys EA6350 will pull Charter's full 60+ Mbps Wi-Fi with no problems. The AC1200 says it will only handle up to N300 or AC867, the 60+ is well below capacity, and doesn't bottleneck at all. I don't have AC hardware OEM on either computer. This newer setup is "whizzbang" Wi-Fi. Windows 10 downloaded in just under 5 minutes (2.72 Gb) to both computers (desktop died), ready to install. I have put Win10 on the Win 7 Toshiba laptop, and am learning it. So far, no problems due to Wi-Fi. Plan to upgrade the Win 8.1 HP laptop in the next week or so. Both computers found no issues against updating (MS's compatibility wizard).ADDENDUM: 7/10/2015: Desktop died (not Wi-Fi), now only two laptops. Sudden failure of Wi-Fi a week ago, during research, found the basic dongle isn't supposed to work with Windows 8.1. Upgraded to Linksys AC1200+ (Model 6350 has N300+AC867, I have only N). Minor difficulty installing, but found thruput reduced. Got USB3.0 version (two blue lights rather than one) AC1200, and restored 60 Mbps (max so far has been 65 with Charter!), and for a week now, it's magnificent. Negative is that the dongle is slightly wider, so rubs against the USB plug for mouse on one side, power cord on the other, so no perfectly seated. But running fine. Still recommend for Win 8/8.1 with 6350 router.