IdeaWorksLong Distance USB-Powered Wi-Fi Antenna (72-6612)

This product works for me, but if you need the range specified in the description, I promise you you will be disappointed.The hotspot I was accessing is two houses down from me, maybe 50 feet. The wifi was slow inside, and I couldn't stream Netflix or have more than one tab open.I plugged in the antenna, and expected my signal to increase with it sitting on the desk next to my laptop, since the laptop could already get the signal with the built in wifi adapter. It couldn't even load a single page. So, I'm thinking the range is actually less than my built in.But, upon running the 25 foot cord out my window and placing the antenna up high and at its full extent with a good line of sight, I was able to get excellent wifi inside.Thing is, I believe that if I were to sit outside with my laptop positioned in that exact spot, I would have excellent wifi. I do not believe, if the nearest hotspot was 100 feet, or half a mile, away, that I would be able to catch it with this antenna. I do not think the antenna itself is any better than my built in adapter, I think what you are really purchasing is the 25 foot usb cord and the ability to place the adapter strategically to increase your signal.In my case, it works and has allowed me to access the internet inside my travel trailer. In the event that I were to move, this antenna could end up useless and I could end up staying somewhere relatively close to a wifi hotspot and still be without internet because it's 100 feet away and not 50 like it is here.It also has this horrible habit of randomly disconnecting from the computer, especially when it rains. Sometimes I have to reset it a dozen times an hour, and sometimes it works flawlessly for days. Overall I am pretty disappointed, but there doesn't seem to be an alternative.

This device works excellently for my old PC, which is a 2006 Compaq Presario SR1900NX which still operates on Windows XP. I get a much clearer signal with this, than I ever did with my $80 Netgear stick that always had problems staying online and was too slow to stream video. I can watch youtube, Netflix, Hulu and all my other channels seamlessly with this. I get my signal from the administration office which is over 100 feet away, and even people whose rooms are right across the hall from the office, the residents claim that their internet is slow, and usually fails to load at all. I have had no problems with this, and I am not tech savvy. It's just a matter of using the menus correctly to set it up. The only reason I gave it 4 stars instead of 5 is because I wanted to increase my internet connection for my video game systems. Unfortunately, this only works for PC and laptop, as it has a direct connection with a USB port. So I have to find another device like a repeater to work for the game systems. For the price, this is a wonderful product, even though its applications may seem limited. I've read that it is not compatible for Windows 8, but I can't say anything about that for a fact. However, if you are running an older Windows system, it works great. Also, I have found that Mozilla Firefox works much better for XP than Google Chrome. I used GC for years, and always had trouble with it. I haven't had so much as a hiccup from Firefox. So combine The Ideaworks device and use Firefox, and you'll have internet power and speed like you've never had it before! You'll love this thing just like I did!

J'habite sur une ferme et je voulais recevoir le signal WiFi dans un autre bâtiment à environ 300 mètres du duo modem&routeur. Cette antenne, placée en ligne de vue avec le routeur, sans obstacles aucun (ni mur, ni arbre, ni fenêtre), attrapait le signal, mais de façon instable et faible.

I just moved into a 1932 home that is completely poured concrete. The wifi router is downstairs, while I'm upstairs. So getting a wifi signal without a booster or repeater, just isn't going to happen. I had been using my mobile hotspot feature via my phone to connect my tablets and my laptop, but new that would end up being annoying (turning it on and off all the time) and possibly costly. I found this item here on amazon and the reviews talked me into buying it.a) This thing is huge! The picture really does it no justice. It came with a metal mounting bracket.b) the box says it picks up wifi signals from 1/2 mile away. I'm getting 1-2 bars at only 50 feet away (tops)c) for this thing to shine and to receive a signal from 1/2 mile away, it needs to be HIGH in the air (comes with a LOT of extra usb cabling)I'm fairly certain for most applications, this will work fine, if the option for a repeater or booster is NOT available for your use.

Inexpensive way to boost signal