Netgear ac1200 vs. ac1900 Wi-Fi adapter – Which one has the best speed for you?

You can use the internet to shop, search, work, learn, and even gaming, but if your computer doesn’t support wifi, you can use a USB wifi adapter that will allow you to automatically connect to the internet. The Netgear ac1200 vs ac1900 wifi adapter comparison will provide you with more information so you can decide which wifi adapter is best for you.

As a person who loves streaming my movies from Netflix, I find it convenient to use wifi because it’s reliable and fast. However, I live in a story-building and this tends to slow down my connectivity because of obstacles like floors and walls at my house which can be quite frustrating. So I went online to find a solution to my problem and I came across wifi adapters that can give me a longer range of connectivity so I’ll able to connect to wifi in my house with no difficulty and even in places where it wasn’t available. The problem is that there are so many quality wifi adapters in the market and with all the added technologies, I don’t know which one to choose. Then I came across this Netgear ac1200 vs. ac1900 Wi-Fi adaptercomparison article that has helped me make an informed decision.

What does a USB wifi adapter do?

If your computer doesn’t have wifi, you can use a USB wifi adapter which will allow you to automatically connect to wifi. It also gives you access to long-range connectivity and this enables you to connect to wifi in areas that it wasn’t available. This is a great benefit, especially if you want to access the internet while you’re outdoors or in areas where connectivity is difficult.

What are the differences between Netgear ac1200 and ac1900 wifi adapters?

Netgear ac1200 vs ac1900 wifi adapter: How do they differ?

Compatibility

The ac1200 wifi adapter is very good if you’re trying to get some extra mileage out of your older laptop. This adapter supports Windows 10 operating system, but for ac1900, it supports Windows 7/8/10 and Mac OS X 10.8.3 and in case your PC has Linux, it can support it if you install some extra drivers. The ac1200 has a USB 3.0 and is also compatible with the USB 2.0 which is mostly found in the operating systems of older machines, but ac1900 provides you with faster access using the USB 3.0. It also has the backward capability with 802.11 a/b/g/n devices, but ac1900 doesn’t have this capability.

Speed and performance

If you’re looking for a wifi adapter with the ultimate speed and performance, the ac1900 is the best option. The ac1200 and ac1900 have a dual-band wifi connection to provide you with a reliable connection. Ac1900 has a wifi speed of 600 Mbps on the 2.4 GHz band and 1300 Mbps on the 5GHZ band, while ac1200 has speeds of 300 Mbps on the 2.4 GHz band and 867 Mbps on the 5 GHz band. The ac1900 has super-fast speeds on their bandwidths which provides faster connections to more wifi networks, while ac1200 provides decent speed, decent, stability, and decent range.

3×4 MIMO design

Ac1900 has a modern 3×4 MIMO design that helps to give the bandwidth more capacity when downloading and uploading data to and from a wireless network. However, the C1200 adapter can only be used for receiving a wireless signal.

Power consumption

The ac1900 is fairly fast and uses dual bandwidths that you can use even in crowded areas and with the combination of the USB 3.0, you get super-fast wifi connections that are faster than the USB 2.0. By just plugging in the adapter into the USB port on your PC or laptop, you can enjoy fast and reliable data transfer, improved HD streaming, lag-free online gaming, etc. However, this high speed and long-range tends to use up a lot of power which drains your computer or laptop much faster than the ac1200 which uses average speeds, stability, and range so it doesn’t consume a lot of power.

Antenna

The ac1200 has a large fold-out antenna that helps you to find a better signal as you move it around for improved range and reliability. On the other hand, ac1900 has 4 high gain antennas that helpto improve performance so that you can enjoy high speeds of a wifi connection to different networks.

Netgear ac1200 vs ac1900 wifi adapter – A comparison overview

Netgear ac1200 wifi adapter

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This is a USB wireless adapter with a USB 3.0 dual-band which means it has both the 2.4GHz and the 5 GHz bandwidths that are built for high-speed wireless transfers. Speed is everything when it comes to connecting online. This ac1200 wifi adapter can help your desktop or laptop with an older Windows version connect at a speed of 802.11ac which is the fastest wifi technology because the USB 3.0 is compatible with USB 2.0 which helps in operating older machines. It also has backward compatibility with 802.11 a/b/g/n and ac devices.

This wireless adapter has a large fold-out antenna and although it’s not the best when it comes to distance, it’s one of the best models and will give you good results. The box also includes drivers, and adapter, and a cradle in case you need a USB extender that you can move around to get a better signal. This high gain antenna and the dual-band will provide you with a reliable connection by reducing any interference between the router and your devices. On one side the antenna will help to improve reception, while on the other side the adapter is prone to get knocked out of the USB port because it’s pretty big. Your device’s compatibility with USB 3.0 allows you to enjoy very fast browsing and online gaming.One of the unique features that sets this wireless adapter apart is the beamforming + technology which is an open standard of 802.11ac that is designed to enhance the speed and range of compatible devices.

It’s very easy to set up with Windows 10 and you can also use the WPS button to set up to secure your network. It’s compatible with Windows and next-generation wifi devices. Apart from improved performance, beamforming combined with technology helps to boost its range, speed, and reliability of the wifi connections to your devices. It can also stream multiple HD videos at the same time thanks to its fast connectivity.

Pros

• Gives you faster access with USB 3.0 because it’s also compatible with USB 2.0
• It has a high gain antenna that improves its performance
• It works with both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bandwidths instead of one
• It can give you speeds of up to 300mbps on the 2.4 GHz band and 867 Mbps on the 5 GHz band
• It’s compatible with older hardware
• Very easy to setup

Cons

• It’s more expensive than other wifi adapters
• It works better for home use rather than travel use

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Netgear ac1900 wifi adapter

NETGEAR AC1900 Wi-Fi USB 3.0 Adapter for Desktop PC | Dual Band Wifi Stick for Wireless internet (A7000-10000S)

• AC1900 WIFI SPEEDS Up to 600Mbps on 2.4GHz and 1300Mbps on 5GHz.Standards: IEEE 802.11 b/g/n 2.4GHz. IEEE...
• DUAL BAND WIFI—Faster connections to more Wi Fi networks.System Requirements: Windows OS or Mac OS...

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If you’re looking for something with a decent speed, the ac1900 wifi adapter is slim and powerful and is compatible with both Windows and Mac. This means that if you have an older Mac, you will need this adapter for you to get a wifi connection. It uses two bands, the 2.4 GHz and the 5 GHz, so it’s fairly fast in crowded places and unlike the ac1200, this adapter has a magnetic cradle that comes separate from the adapter. This gives the cradle better flexibility when you’re trying to get a signal and the magnet allows it to conveniently latch onto any metal surface. Something you should note is that if you have a computer or laptop with an older screen, the magnet is strong enough to damage the screen and although this isn’t an issue, you need to be careful not to carry the adapter and your older laptop in the same compartment of your laptop bag.

The dual-band gives you faster wifi connectivity to more networks for better HD video streaming and lag-free gaming. The 2.4 GHz band can give you speeds of up to 600 Mbps and the 5 GHz band has speeds of 1300 Mbps. Explicit beamforming helps to boost speed, range, and reliability of wifi connections while the 3×4 MIMO design allows for better bandwidth capacity which is very important when it comes to downloading and uploading data to and from a wireless network.

This adapter has an app you can use for easy and fast installation which also allows you to easily connect, monitor, and control your home network. Because this ac1900 is a newer version, it doesn’t have much backward compatibility like the ac1200 adapter. So for this to work, you’ll need a Windows OS that is at least a version 7 or a Mac OS X 10.8.3 vintage that you can use with your adapter. This adapter’s high speed and long-range means that it uses a lot of power which could be an issue if you’re using an old laptop because its battery will get drained very quickly.

Pros

• The 3×4 MIMO design makes it easier to download and upload data to and from a wireless network
• Beamforming technology increases the speed, range, and reliability of wifi connections
• The USB 3.0 gives you a faster connection to your computer
• Magnetic cradle makes it flexible when searching for a signal
• Has an app for easy and quick installation
• Compatible with both Windows and Mac devices

Cons

• Consumes a lot of power
• The magnetic cradle may damage your older laptop

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Conclusion

Now that you understand the two USB wifi adapters better, you’re in a better position to know which adapter is better suited for your needs. The adapter you decide to buy is dependent on your hardware. If you’re using a MAC, the better choice will be the ac1900, but if you’re using a PC, your choice of adapter will depend on the operating system you’re using. If your hardware can handle USB 3.0, the right choice will be the ac1900, but if your system uses USB 2.0, you should use the ac1200. Both adapters have a dual-band system that will give you decent speeds, decent firmware, and security features.

Verdict. So which is better? Netgear ac1200 or ac1900 wifi adapter

The ac1900 has high speed, great range, and good security options which makes it a better option if you’re looking for the fastest connectivity. If the main purpose of getting an adapter is for video streaming and online gaming, but your home has multiple users and many devices connected, the ac1900 will be able to handle such a large capacity. You will have a smooth connection every time you’re online no matter how many devices are connected.

FAQ

Does a wireless adapter affect internet speed?

The distance between the route and the wireless adapter can affect your internet speed. If you double the distance between your router and your devices, the throughput decreases by a third of its original strength. Other obstacles like metal, walls, floors can also interfere with the signal.

What does a wifi adapter do?

Wireless adapters are electronic devices that allow your computer that doesn’t support wifi to automatically connect to wifi. A wifi adapter can send data through radio waves to the router that passes it on to the internal networks.

How do I set up my Netgear wireless AC adapter?

Some computers may or may not have a desktop dock, so if your computer has a desktop dock, insert your USB adapter into the dock. Then connect the USB cable to your computer’s USB port. To increase your wifi performance, you can fold out the adapter to its maximum angle.