Editorial Review:Product Description:Connect to your wireless network from your desktop or notebook PC using the D-Link Wireless G USB Adapter (WUA-1340) and browse the web, check e-mail, and chat with friends and family online. The Wireless G USB Adapter offers simple network connectivity without the hassle of running a network cable.To protect your data and privacy, the Wireless G USB Adapter supports WEP and WPA encryption for connecting to a secure wireless network.The Wireless G USB Adapter is based on the 802.11g standard and is backwards compatible with 802.11b, ensuring compatibility with a wide range of wireless routers and networks.
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Customer Reviews
Average Rating:
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EZ Setup - Solid Performance - Great Price
This is the third wireless USB Adapter I've tried on a computer that is located in a low signal strength portion of the house. The first was an uber-cheapie TrendNet adapter that routinely lost connectivity with the wireless access point and seemed to have a driver problem that caused my computer to get flakey after it went through a sleep-wake cycle.
The second was a Linksys WUSB54C that performed well after I got it set up, but I did run into some problems with the setup. To be fair, I did not have the setup disk and had to download the driver/utility from the Linksys site, so that may have contributed to the problems I encountered. Not a big deal. I considered purchasing the Linksys, but decided not to after finding out the price was at the high end for adapters of this type. Additionally, some users reported a lot of set up problems.
I finally settled on this D-Link on the basis of a significant number of positive reviews, i.e. lowest apparent incidence of set-up problems, and a middle-of-the-road price. It turned out to be a good decision. Set-up was duck soup - as fast and easy as it gets. Performance was similar to the Linksys. Both of them are like RF-pit bulls - they readily lock on to my wireless access point signal and regardless of how low the signal strength gets, this adapter maintains connectivity. The data rate frequently drops down to a fraction of the 54 MB/Sec that 802.11g is capable of, but since my DSL connection is only good for 1.3 MB/Sec, the wireless part of the path never limits performance.
The one (small) beef I do have is that the wireless manager utility is pretty clunky compared to several others I've used. Specifically, it presents a relative signal strength as a percentage and rather than continuously updating, you have to hit a "refresh" button to get a updated reading. This is in sharp contrast to the wireless manager I've got on my Dell laptop that continuously presents both noise and signal strength in actual engineering units (dBm) in real-time. This is useful if you're experimenting to locate the best positioning and orientation for the adapter. Inside a house, a 2.4 GHz wireless signal varies dramatically from moment to moment and is sensitive to positioning of the adapter. The clunky wireless manager on the D-Link makes it unnecessarily difficult to find the optimum location.
I found a couple of things that helped increase the relative signal strength from 10 - 12% up to 25 - 35%. First, the internal antenna in the adapter is somewhat directional. It receives (and transmits) best off the broad front and back as opposed to the sides or end. Secondly, you can improve performance by taking a piece of cardboard about 8" x 8", wrapping it in aluminum foil and bending it into a v-shaped "tent". Stand the tent on end and position the adapter as close to the inside bend of the "V" as the base allows. Orient this kluge (technically it's a "corner reflector") so that the inner part of the "V" is aimed towards the wireless access point. Voila - double the signal strength. My kid who is a no-nothing (at least with respect to antennas) mechanical engineer gives me crap about my performance enhancement, but it really does work and the price is right.
Rating: 
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TERRIBLE CUSTOMER SERVICE
I own this router along with the D-Link WAU-2340 wireless adapter for less than one year. About 6 months ago the adapter stopped working. I dealt with folks on the west coast and had a new unit shipped to me although I had to send back the damaged one at my cost (fed ex). It just stopped working again and I have been on the phone for more than 2 hours with folks from India. Not to be biased as I have had great success with Indian customer service for other products but these folks were rude, impatient and annoying. One actually hung up on me. They are telling you to do things at breakneck speed while you're trying to understand what they're saying. If you forget one thing they get annoyed and say things line "What did I tell you a moment ago - you weren't listening" with the attitude of a teenager. They want to get you off the phone asap so they tell you to do something then call them back (which had me on hold for up to 30 minutes - 2 times) If this is customer service its not what we are accustomed to in the US. SPEND THE EXTRA MONEY AND GET A LINKSYS
Rating: -
Great product
I bought this to provide web access to my kids' computer in the library. I hooked it up fairly quickly with no issues. So far it's worked perfectly. Can't beat the price and it does what it says.
Rating: -
Nice little gem
I like this little gem. I had a PCI wireless card for my desktop that was several years old and no longer supported by the manufacturer. I needed to upgrade, but I wanted a USB wireless adapter this time around. I wanted to get it out from the bottom of my desk so I could a better signal. I had certain requirements for my new purchase. It couldn't cost any more than $45. It had to be USB. And it had to have some sort of USB extention cable or cradle. It had to be reviewed by Windows Vista users. It also had to have excellent reception. I don't have a big house, but there were a lot of walls and electronics near and in between the Access Point and my computer.
After searching I found the DLink Wireless G adapater fit the bill. I picked it up for $30 (at least $10 less than local stores). All of the reviews talked about great reception, even indepent review sites. And it had the USB craddle I was looking for. I bought it and got free shipping along with it! What a Deal!
I've had this little gem installed for about one month now, I coudn't be happier. It gets great reception. This adapter runs absolutely great with Vista. I am also using the included connection software and it plays very well with Vista.
The only downside is the optional craddle. It requires either a direct computer USB port, or a powered USB hub with an external power supply. It draws more mA than a non-powered hub can handle (at least it did on mine). I had to use the power supply on my USB hub to get the craddle to work. This is the only reason I give it 4 stars instead of 5.
I highly recommend this product. You will not be disappointed.
Rating: -
Decent product- no major complaints
Product installed fine- works well. The only issue is the overall performace. Just a little slow- but not a deal breaker. Has a nice little stand with heavily weighted base, so it holds up nicely. I'd buy again.
