Can I use a USB Wifi adapter on a desktop PC?

Q I would like to switch from a cable modem to a wireless connection. However, I have an AMD-based desktop PC running Windows 7 and the motherboard has no wireless card fitted.

I have read about wireless USB devices and I have seen articles online about some of the problems they can have – although some of these posts were admittedly quite old. Should I fit a wireless card to my PC or is a wireless USB adapter a good bet?
Don Griffith

A Though most laptops have built-in Wifi, it is quite rare for a desktop PC to have wireless facilities. This is largely historical, with desktop PCs traditionally connected to home or office networks using Ethernet cables (and as desktops are not exactly portable, wireless connections have not been seen as terribly practical).

However, many people do like the idea of connecting to the internet wirelessly with their desktop computer. This could be because they want to take advantage of a wireless connection in the area, or it might be because they wish to avoid having to run network cables through the house, which gives more possibilities when it comes to choosing where the computer will be located.

As mentioned, modern laptops tend to include integrated Wifi but older models can be connected to wireless networks using USB adapters. There is no reason why the same type of wireless adapter should not be used on a desktop computer. This is an established and reliable technology. Netgear’s N150 Wireless USB Adapter, for example, costs around £15.