Review on TRENDnet TEW-649UB Mini USB 2.0 Adapter - Ultra-Fast Wireless N 150 Mbps by Will Lockhart

How it works: Install the driver before connecting the USB adapter. Running the included CD is a good way to do this. Another thing is to download the latest driver utility from TrendNet website and run it first. It's actually the best way while you're waiting for the adapter to arrive, so that later you just have to plug it in. The third option is to let Windows 7 automatically install it for you (if you're running Windows 7, 32-bit or 64-bit) by plugging in the adapter directly, but updating the driver can be tricky. It seemed to me that you should disable it and then update the utility. If you plugged in the USB adapter first and couldn't connect (maybe that's why some of the reviews here are bad), don't worry. Disconnect the adapter and start over. Do not leave the adapter plugged in when attempting to install/uninstall the utility. SPEED: Some reviewers say it always shows 150 Mbps regardless of the actual connection speed. I was also curious and spent some time researching. It turns out this is not true. The adapter's maximum speed is 150 Mbps when operating at normal link speed (ie, the link speed between this adapter and the router). This indicates that you have good signal strength from the router. However, if the signal strength or quality is poor, it will show a slower speed. I have seen 120Mbps and even 60Mbps on the computer in different places or after a long time, in which case I would change my location or just put the computer to rest. In addition, 150 Mbit/s is not the speed of the Internet. The maximum speed between the internet and your modem is set by your ISP (DSL or cable company) and varies depending on the broadband internet package you pay for. In real internet speed tests, it can reach 10-15 Mbps everywhere in my two story house except where there is a metal fence. My wired gigabit connection picks up 24-25 Mbps. I only set my router to N mode as I also bought a TrendNet Media Bridge (which works great) to help other slower g devices with a wired connection option. PRO:SIZE: It's quite small, although not the smallest on the market (see that review later). Size is very important to me. When you need to carry it around, especially when you put it on the bed, you always wish it was smaller. CONS: 1) I want the max connection speed to reach 300Mbps as advertised. The reality is that this is a false or misleading statement. 2) The main problem I had was that when I wake up my HP laptop with Windows 7 64-bit, the internet connection most likely drops. I'd have to manually re-plug it and it's annoying. I have fewer problems with the PLANEX GW-USNano-G.3) I wish it was half the size.4) The blue LED was bright and quite annoying. PLANEX GW-USNano-G has yellow light and tiny dimensions. AirLink has less blue light. None of them are as bad as this one. 5) I paid $26 for it and now it's only $19. COMPARE: Competitor #1: PLANEX GW-USNano-G Wireless-N 150Mbps USB Adapter. GOOD: Price: $17 (vs. Trendnet's $26), Size: 22.5(L) x 14.5(W) x 7(H)mm (vs. Trendnet's 34 x 17 x 7mm), Speed: 150Mbps (compared to Trendnet 150 Mbps), bandwidth, 2.4 GHz (compared to Trendnet 2.4 GHz). BAD: Maximum power consumption: 1.5A (compared to Trendnet's 0.29/0.32A). That means it's heating up. Range: N/A (compared to Trendnet 50m/100m), smaller size = smaller antenna = shorter range. Hands-On Test: Tested on an HP Entertainment laptop running Windows 7 64-bit Plugged in, PLANEX looks about half the size of TrendNet. Signal strength: 5 bars (like TrendNet). Connection speed to the router: 150 Mbps. Actual Internet Speed: Approximately 10-15 Mbps and very consistent (like TrendNet). Power consumption: During the test, which lasted half an hour, I didn't feel any temperature changes. Competitor #2: AirLink101 AWLL5088 Wireless N 150 Ultra Mini USB Adapter. GOOD: Price: $13 (from $26), size 14(L) x 34(W) x 6(H)mm (from Trendnet 34 x 17 x 7mm). It only protrudes 0.55 inch from the side of the computer! that's only half of Trendnet's 1.3-inch. Speed: 150Mbps, Band: 2.4GHz. BAD: Power Consumption: n/a (but I've read reviews, it gets hot so I think it's drawing more amps than Trendnet), Range: n/a (smaller size = smaller antenna = shorter range). ACER netbook with Windows XP 32-bit Service Pack 3 (SP3). When plugged in, it looks about 1/4 smaller than TrendNet. Connection speed to the router: 120 Mbps. Signal strength: 4 bars (compared to TrendNet: 5 bars). Real internet speed: from 8 to 24 Mbps (from different locations). The small size means the antenna is small and very sensitive to signal strength. If you have a big house or a weak router, you can use it to see slower connection speeds. Power Consumption: I didn't feel any temperature change during the half-hour test. CONCLUSION: I would recommend the PLANEX GW-USNano-G adapter. Reason: Same connection speed, same performance, half the size, half the price.