Review on 🔌 TP-Link Archer T1U AC450 Nano USB Wireless WiFi Network Adapter: Windows/Mac OS Compatible, 5GHz Only, Black by Rene Carrell

Replaces built-in 2.4GHz 802.11N WiFi in a 4-5 year old Lenovo gaming laptop. It stopped working as well and had a particularly difficult time staying connected to the newer AC Wave 2 routers. I downloaded the Windows 10 drivers from the website, plugged in the USB adapter and just installed the drivers. Pros: Nano-sized, think the same size as the Logitech Unifying Receiver USB adapter. You can leave a medium or larger sized laptop all the time and it won't get in your way. Only works on 5GHz. This is actually a plus as it helps with troubleshooting as it cannot switch to 2.4GHz at all. More and more new home Wi-Fi systems are broadcasting the same SSID for both 2.4 and 5GHz, and this adapter ensures you're using the faster band available. Speed, it's AC450, it reliably connects to the network at 433Mbps. Transfer rate that is close to the USB 2.0 transfer rate of 480 Mbit/s. So if your system has both USB 2.0 and USB 3.0, plug them into a USB 2.0 port and save the faster USB 3.0 ports for other uses. Cons: Doesn't obviously work with a 2.4GHz 802.11N router. Less range as it's only 5GHz instead of being able to switch to 2.4GHz which allows it to connect over longer distances from your router/access point.