USB adapter for WiFi 802.11AC, 1000Mbps or better?

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I have a 10 year old Apple router (802.11n) and several older macs (MBP 2011, Mac Mini 2012 which are 802.11n) and a 2017 MacBook Air which is 802.11ac

I installed a T-Mobile 802.11ac router

https://www.amazon.com/T-Mobile-Wireless...B01MYTAURW

This seems to support up to 1900 Mbps which would be theoretically faster than wired Ethernet. I plan to move so I do not want to invest in wired Ethernet at this house. Please do not suggest wired Ethernet.

Anyway, I would like faster WiFi speed at that 2012 Mini.

I am thinking to run MoCA, or get a 802.11AC adapter for that mini. I found several on Amazon

https://www.amazon.com/Adapter-1200Mbps-...B07FGX8LBF

https://www.amazon.com/Wireless-USB-WiFi...07V4R3QHW/

https://www.amazon.com/TP-Link-AC1300-Wi...07P6N2TZH/

Questions: if I use one of these, how do I disable the on-board WiFi? I assume I can just use the MINUS sign in OS X network preferences to disable WiFi, then plug in the new USB adapter and hope that OS X will install the proper drivers and use the new dongle?

I want to avoid the hassle of having to manually switch onboard WiFi off and connect to USB dongle each time I start the mini or wake up the machine from sleep

Also, if these claim 1200 Mbps, what do I expect in real world? at the moment the 802.11n connection bounces all over the place from 50 to 300 Mbp using the old Apple router (n) and up to 450 with new new Asus/Tmobile router (also connected in n mode).

When I use the 2017 MacBook air, I see connection mode is ac and speed is up to 870 Mbps, I never saw higher than than, even in the same room in line of sight with the router.

[btfc]

Many do not have Mac drivers available.


Start with the sponsors for compatible models:

https://eshop.macsales.com/search/?q=wireless%20usb&sort.popularity=desc&filter.catidpath=1930


“I assume I can just use the MINUS sign in OS X network preferences to disable WiFi”

Yes, install the drivers and then add the new interface. Last one I used I had the utility autolaunch at startup.

[Sarcany]

1. With the appropriate driver, the Mac would detect any of these devices as an alternative network connection. It would exist independently and redundantly along with the built-in WiFi and Ethernet connections. Disable built-in WiFi or set service-priority in the Network settings to avoid using the native WiFi port.

2. Real world speeds on one of those adapters is probably no better than 802.11n.

3. Apple didn't configure the antennas in the MacBook Air to get faster 802.11ac speeds.

...

I wouldn't trust any of those USB adapters. In my experience, driver support is non-existent and they use weird hacks to get them going on a Mac, subject to failing at the slightest provocation and certainly failing with every OS update. On top of that, they're fudging their speed numbers... As does your router, which is combining the max 2.4GHz and 5GHz speeds into one number. But those devices seem to be making up their numbers out of thin air.

If you really want to do it right wirelessly, get an 802.11ac/Ethernet bridge or mobile/travel access point. Something that allows you to jack into the 2012 mini using Ethernet.(You said no Ethernet, but this is a hybrid WiFi/Ethernet solution.) This way you don't have to fool with drivers. You can probably come close to doubling your 802.11n speeds with a small access point that does 802.11ac/750 or 1200.

...But an even better and more reliable solution would be to forego wireless entirely. If there's no convenient way to run Ethernet, go for some Powerline Ethernet adapters. Note that they run at roughly half their rated speed, so for gigabit you'd need to get a 2000Mbps model.

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OK I think I will go MoCA

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also confused why OWC lists this adapter twice, once with OB at the end which makes be believe this is an Open Box item, but I don't see any mention of the Open Box on the listing...

New: https://eshop.macsales.com/item/Edimax/EW7822ULC/

OB: https://eshop.macsales.com/item/Edimax/EW7822ULCOB/

[Filliam H. Muffman]

Remember that the speed in the product number is the sum of the 2.5 GHz and 5.0 GHz bands. Subtract the 2.5 GHz speed (400 to 466 Mbps), then cut the 5 GHz speed number in half to get an approximate real world speed.

1200 Mbps - 400 Mbps = 800 Mbps

800 Mbps ÷ 2 = 400 Mbps real world speed.


Next thing to notice is that there are very few AC3600 USB adapters. The best way to get full speeds is use a pair of AC3600 routers with one in bridge mode and an ethernet cable to the item you want 1000 Mbps.

[N-OS X-tasy!]

Filliam H. Muffman wrote:
Remember that the speed in the product number is the sum of the 2.5 GHz and 5.0 GHz bands. Subtract the 2.5 GHz speed (400 to 466 Mbps), then cut the 5 GHz speed number in half to get an approximate real world speed.

1200 Mbps - 400 Mbps = 800 Mbps

800 Mbps ÷ 2 = 400 Mbps real world speed.

Not only this, but 802.11ac speeds tend to drop off quickly the farther away the client is from the source, especially on the 5 GHz band.