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Another type of USB network adapter is a WiFi antenna, which connects to your computer’s USB port and allows it to connect to a wireless network. These adapters generally have a USB plug on one end, and an Ethernet port on the other, so you regain the ability to connect your laptop to a wired network.
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Computer companies aren’t going to start adding ports back to their machines, so the best solution is to get a USB network adapter. Yes, laptops have WiFi, but you’ll get a faster and more reliable connection by using a cable. This is much more apparent when looking at Apple’s MacBook line, which only has Thunderbolt 3 ports on them, but the trend has hit Windows-based PCs, too.Įthernet ports, which allow you to connect your laptop directly to a WiFi router or cable modem was one of the first to go. One of the many features laptops lost as they became thinner and lighter was ports.
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