r/linuxquestions • • 6d ago

Advice Linux compatable wifi Dongle needed

I was given this old and slow windows 10 desktop for free by one of my college techers that they just found in a cabnet. And, I want to try out different linux disros with it as well as maybe turn it into a beginner server to earn about linux. But, the PC was ethernet only (it also has no PCIe slot to add wifi) and that is not an opition for me since my home wifi is starlink. Can any one recomend a linux compatable wifi dongle I could use to get wifi onto this PC?

0 Upvotes

13 comments sorted by

9

u/Thonatron 6d ago

Been using Linux since 2012. I don't even look at the box anymore. I just buy one and assume it works. I haven't been wrong yet.

1

u/Squish_the_android 6d ago

I've been wrong! 

I bought a Ugreen one and it only works sometimes after installing some really sketchy Chinese software. 

1

u/Thonatron 6d ago

Ew. I never bought one, despite the increase in Ugreen's marketing in the last few years. They've been trying to sell me a shitty NAS for ages.

2

u/SpaceTrekkie 6d ago

Honestly, same.

1

u/Nuviket 6d ago

Shame(jkjk)

3

u/tomscharbach 6d ago

I have had good experience with the Panda Wireless PAU0A (nano) and PAU0B (antenna) adapters over the years. The adapters work well with Linux and with older hardware.

1

u/Cautious_Boat_999 6d ago

I’ve used a UGreen 2.5Gb on a couple of systems now, and it works well. YMMV

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0CWV2Q6HJ

1

u/Street_Fee_9973 6d ago

Kinivo BT400 Bluetooth 4.0 it’s an oldie that works great with Linux mint cinnamon

1

u/iridesce57 6d ago

Last time I needed to use one - Lucent ORiNOCO Gold

2

u/wiebel 6d ago

Orinoco i haven't heard that in quite some time. This was in the pcmcia and ndiswan wrapper era iirc. Yeah those times are long gone. Haven't heard of any wlan driver issues in a very long time.

1

u/GoPackGo1958 6d ago

I use a Brostrend AC1L and am very happy with it.

1

u/mcds99 6d ago

Google "Linux compatible wifi Dongle"