Mini USB Wireless N - Ebay Ralink RT2870 - AVOID

I just received the RT2870 mini usb wireless adapter. I got it off Ebay.

The title on Ebay is :
WIFI 802.11n USB Wireless Network LAN Adapter Card N

If you do not want to read further : do not buy it.



Compared with my old laptop Intel Wireless B adapter, the performance is pathetic : what is usually 85%(Intel PCI2100 802.11b) is less than 7% with the Ralink RT2870.


I disconnected a 900Mhz cordless phone. The signal did improve to about 25%, but it still was not reliable.
Apparently that phone should not make much of a difference, but it does. :(


Regarding the router, it is the Trendnet TEW 432BRP

At 15$ it works great. I don't use it much for intra network file transfers, so wireless G is more than enough. It is a little old, so you will not be able to adjust QoS if you use VoIP phones or software.

The worst part of the performance of this 802.11n adapter is the location : I am in a rural area with no wifi noise other than those from my own home!

Update 27/08/2011: I installed OSX 86 on my ThinkPad - it worked great except for the Intel Wifi card no drivers are available. However, I went to the Ralink site and got the drivers for 10.6.8 - the RT2870 works. The range and poor connectivity did not change! I guess this adapter is fine if your router is only a few meters away, but I doubt it would a good option in the library or a regular sized house or apartment.