Unless an express request has been made or unless you have bought an already equipped model, there is no Wi-Fi connection on a desktop PC, but only the Ethernet connection. Even if there is no antenna to connect the desktop computer to the internet via a wireless connection, this does not mean that it cannot be added for a little and without major technical interventions.
There are two possible options that we will look at to find out which one is the best: use a USB Wi-Fi adapter or a PCI-E Wi-Fi card .
The first option, that of the USB Wifi card, is the most convenient.
In practice you buy a USB stick similar to traditional USB sticks, which acts as an antenna and works immediately, without any configuration.
The first time you attach the USB stick you may need to install the drivers to make it work, but after the first time it will be all automatic and fast.
The convenience of the USB Wifi receiver is not so much in cost (a Wifi adapter also costs less than 10 euros) but in the fact that this USB stick can be removed whenever you want, used on another computer and prolonged with a cable for better reception of the signal.
The USB is not limited to the back of the PC only and it is possible to use a long USB cable to improve signal reception or to use a USB HUB also positioned far from the PC, closer to the router.
The only big annoyance with USB Wi-Fi adapters is that the PC is set to go to sleep, it can stop working.
Not everyone has this problem which should be resolvable in the advanced power saving settings, preventing you from turning off the USB ports and the wireless card.
Most Wi-Fi USB sticks are still good for home connections, they have a lower speed than PCI cards, but not so slow as to be limiting.
PCI Wi-Fi cards
If the USB sticks are external antennas, the PCI cards are internal and must be mounted and screwed inside the computer.
It is not complicated because the slot where the Wifi card is inserted is clearly visible on the motherboard, however you must always open the PC case and use a screwdriver to fix the piece.
To have a more stable wireless connection over larger distances and better speed, however, PCI Wi-Fi cards are better than USB sticks.
The biggest advantage of Wi-Fi PCI cards is that they support MIMO if this is supported by the router.
MIMO, in simple words, means that if both the card and the router have two or more antennas, you will get better connectivity.
If then you have few free USB ports or none, it is worth inserting the PCI card into the computer to have Wifi on the desktop PC.
Obviously the PCI card, once put it remains there while the USB stick has the convenience of being portable and usable anywhere without having to use screwdrivers.
In addition to these two options, there would be a third more radical one: change the motherboard by buying one that has an integrated Wifi receiver.
In any case, both for the PCI card and for the USB Wifi stick, be careful to buy one that supports at least the Wireless N or even the new 802.11ac standard which is the fastest, if you have a router that supports it.
READ ALSO: Which wifi router to buy for the wireless home network?
