USB network adapters aren't inherently bad, there are a lot of factors that can go into it. But if you want a new one, I picked up this one for my mom's boyfriend and have had no problems with it: http://amzn.com/B003MTTJOY
well, i was hoping to get a PCI one so I could just be inside my computer and save a USB port. But is there one that could let me download stuff around 2MB/s or so? I know it's not a sure thing, but what would you say is a reliable, but cheap one I could use?
I haven't bought a PCI wireless card in years, the USB ones are more popular for obvious reasons and much cheaper. As for speed, it's... complicated. Wireless cards and adapters are sold with a speed advertised, yes. But that's measuring its speed within your local area network. The one I linked, for example, can communicate at speeds up to 150Mbps with other devices on your LAN -- so let's say you wanted to transfer a video from one computer to another over your home network, you could (theoretically) do it at 150Mbps.
Wireless devices have standards, which is what that 802.11b/g/n business you see is. Newer devices should support all three, to maximize compatibility with older devices on your network, but if you're buying a wireless card/adapter today it should be 802.11b/g/n (though if your router supports 802.11n is a different story). Again, that's only the speed within your LAN.
The speeds you're seeing on the internet have less to do with the actual computer you're on. If you're suffering on a computer using 802.11b with an old as hell router, obviously you're not going to be seeing a great connection, as your devices can't efficiently use the bandwidth your ISP sells you -- they're too old.
The first thing you should really do is, if you're looking to maximize your network speed, hardwire a computer to your router and run a test through Speedtest or something. Take note of those speeds and consider that the fastest you'll see within your house (and make sure it's close to whatever you're paying your ISP for). Then, bring your new computer right near the router and run a speed test on that. If the speed is comparable to what you saw on the hardwired computer, that's good. Move your computer to your room then (or wherever you intend to use it) and see what the speed test says in there. If either number is way lower than the hardwired test, you should consider upgrading your network adapter. If they're about equal, then you'll have to either pay your ISP more or see if your router, perhaps, is a bottleneck.
I do highly recommend checking out powerline adapters: http://amzn.com/B00AWRUICG
Wired is always, always better than wireless, but it's obviously not as convenient. What you do with these is plug one into a wall outlet (not a power strip) near your router and connect the ethernet cord from it to your router. Then, with the second device, you plug it into a wall outlet near your computer and connect the ethernet cord to your computer. It uses the powerlines in your house to carry the wired signal. They're small and dead simple to use; I recently picked up a pair because the PS4's wireless adapter is god awful and I wanted to be able to use share play. It's worked incredibly well, if I wasn't trying to limit my online shopping I'd get a switch for my room and connect all my devices (TV, PS4, and laptop) to it. imo if you're looking to shell out for a PCI wireless adapter (which, a good one will run you $20 - $30) you're better off just picking up one of these.
complicated mess of a hess right there
Unfortunately I'll only be able to use wireless and no wired, since it's just not possible in my room at all, and the router is on the other side of the house, and I don't have a spot for an ethernet cord. I wasn't looking for something too complicated, it just seemed weird that the USB adapter I bought was going so slow even compared to my laptop, and had less of a signal strength too, even though they're right next to each other
I'm trying out that USB wifi adapter you showed me, and I'm not having much confidence in it. In fact, it's about twice as slow as the last adapter I had, and I'm almost willing to go back and pay $37 for for....or if I find a 150Mbps I'll just get that, since the 300Mbps wasn't much a different for me
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