Increasing laptop wifi capability

I have a new laptop (lenovo U510) and I get low/intermittent wifi when I'm at the far end of the house (maybe 50' from the router). I'm wanting to boost the wifi capability and reading, it looks like I could either get a more powerful wifi adapter or a booster/antenna that simply boosts the ability of my laptops existing adapter.

The two options I'm looking at are the Alfa USB Wireless WiFi AWUS036nH
http://www.amazon.com/computers-accessories/dp/B001O9X9EU

or the Rosewill USB 2.0 External 5dBi Antenna RNX-N180UBE
http://www.amazon.com/Rosewill-Exte...180UBE/dp/B004BV4JXI/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top

The Alfa looks more powerful but is b/g only while the Rosewill is b/g/n.... is that likely to matter? I should point out that I would be using this out and about as well as at home so I can't say what routers I might be wanting to access.

I'm looking at these two specifically because I can get them via ebay and use up some credit and because I'm overwhelmed by the choices and had to narrow it down to something!

Any help understanding this will be much appreciated!

 

I personally would not purchase either. If you need farther range, get a USB plug-in module with an external antenna, or has the ability of sticking the antenna on the top of the laptop, and you can move it to stand straight up, when using, or removable antenna that plugs into the side of the USB module, when storing or not using the laptop.

 

Wow, I literally just ordered the Alfa model not ten minutes ago. Too impatient I guess....

But I'm not sure I understand the difference from what I ordered and what you're talking about. Aren't they both basically usb modules with antennas?

Further unrelated question about this laptop if that's OK...

It's a Lenovo U510 and I want to connect a Samsung 22" monitor to it. The monitor does not have hdmi and it has a full sized vga plug. The laptop has a mini vga plug. I figured I just needed an adapter but Staples and Radio shack don't have them and they sort of acted as if it were a really unusual request. Looking online I see lots of "display port" to vga adapters. Is that the same thing?

Thanks,
John

 

You have to order that adapter from either Monoprice.com or Cables2go, or even Newegg.com.

 

Haven't found it at any of those so far. Unless I'm not understanding and mini DVI is the same a mini vga?
I did find this on Amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/Apple-Mini-VGA-VGA-Display-Adapter/dp/B000068BSC

but it says compatible only with various Mac products so I'm assuming it wouldn't work for me....

Sorry to be a pest with the questions but although I bought this laptop at the Lenovo Outlet store it's a 2012 laptop and I wouldnt' expect it to have obsolete ports. I can't seem to find this adapter anywhere except the Apple style.

 

Maybe I've been making this harder than it should be (my forte)
My laptop has an hdmi connection... can I simply get a hdmi to vga cable like this one on amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/1080P-Female-...55942&sr=1-1&keywords=male+hdmi+to+female+vga

 

You can do the HDMI to HDMI, but you will lose some in going from HDMI to VGA. The problem with mini-vga, is that it is proprietary to each manufacturer, and you cannot use the Apple one with your Lenovo notebook.

Now there are a couple of Wireless HDMI units out there, but I have found that they are not Windows 8.x ready with the drivers yet, even though their sites state otherwise. You may be able to use a ChromeCast with it though.

 

What will get lost? Will it be any worse than the vga to vga that my old desktop fed to the monitor?

I like the monitor and am happy enough with it's performance with the old XP desktop. I'm not gaming and these days I don't even watch movies on that monitor anymore. I'm just hoping for the ample screenspace that I'm used to.

Not sure what you mean by a "wireless hdmi unit".

Thanks for the help!

 

Some will not do 1080i in VGA, if you plan on using this for streaming stuff to the tv. Now if you are talking about XP not Windows 7 or 8 on the Lenovo, I see no problem with going with the one of the two HDMI wireless extenders out there.

 

Windows 8 on the Lenovo. I dont' even own a tv but I do want to use the 22" samsung monitor when I'm home. That monitor has a 1680×1050 resolution. I'm guessing the Amazon adapter I linked to below will work fine for that.... am I right?

Still not sure what you mean by "hdmi wireless extenders" but searching shows me a bunch of them ranging from ~$150 to $400. I think I'd just buy a new monitor before I'd go that route. Or... am I missing something else here?

 

Here is a list of Wireless HDMI extenders http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...TCH&Description=wireless+hdmi&N=-1&isNodeId=1. Geffen is the best out there.

 

Those are pretty expensive. won't the Amazon adapter work for what I'm using it for?

 

Again, you need a specific manufacturer only for the mini-VGA. As for HDMI to VGA, you can get those anywhere, see my post above, regarding resolution problems you may run into.

 

Thanks. I'll just get the Amazon adapter and find out if it works without problems.

 

This is five feet http://www.amazon.com/A-Sonic-HDMI-HD15-Male-Cable/dp/B001OLCHJ6 If you are going longer, go with a HDMI coupler for the adapter to the hdmi port. Those you can get from monoprice.com.

 

Really??? That one has a 2 star rating, is twice as expensive as the one I linked to, and says in the description:
"NOTE: this cable don't support signal from VCR, COMPUTER or LAPTOP output."

Hard to believe that's a good option for me....

 

Do not go by the ratings on Amazon. They do not mean anything. Same goes for customer comments.

 

Hdmi output is the same, regardless what the device is. It is a standard like USB. Besides if it does not work, with Amazon, you can return it, no questions asked.