UGREEN AC650 High-Gain Dual Band Wireless USB Adapter – CM496

The UGREEN AC650 High-Gain Dual Band Wireless USB Adapter provides reliable Wi-Fi connectivity with speeds up to 650 Mbps for desktops and laptops. This compact USB adapter enables students to add wireless capability to older computers or replace failing built-in Wi-Fi cards for stable online learning and streaming, while business professionals use it to upgrade desktop workstations or enhance laptop connectivity in offices and remote work environments. It’s a practical solution for anyone needing affordable dual-band wireless access without sacrificing performance for everyday computing tasks.

Key Features & Benefits

• AC650 Dual-Band Performance: Delivers combined speeds up to 650 Mbps (433 Mbps on 5GHz + 200 Mbps on 2.4GHz), providing sufficient bandwidth for video streaming, web conferencing, and productivity applications without buffering.
• High-Gain 5dBi Antenna: The adjustable external antenna captures stronger signals than internal laptop Wi-Fi, maintaining connections in rooms far from routers or through walls that typically weaken wireless signals.
• Flexible Dual-Band Selection: Choose 2.4GHz for extended range and better wall penetration, or switch to 5GHz for faster speeds with reduced interference from neighboring networks and household devices.
• Compact Rotatable Design: The adjustable antenna folds down for portable storage and rotates 180 degrees when deployed, allowing optimal positioning for maximum signal strength in any workspace configuration.
• Driver-Free Windows 10/11 Setup: Automatic driver installation on Windows 10 and 11 eliminates manual configuration, getting you online within minutes of plugging in the adapter.

Key Features & Benefits

• AC650 Dual-Band Performance: Delivers combined speeds up to 650 Mbps (433 Mbps on 5GHz + 200 Mbps on 2.4GHz), providing sufficient bandwidth for video streaming, web conferencing, and productivity applications without buffering.
• High-Gain 5dBi Antenna: The adjustable external antenna captures stronger signals than internal laptop Wi-Fi, maintaining connections in rooms far from routers or through walls that typically weaken wireless signals.
• Flexible Dual-Band Selection: Choose 2.4GHz for extended range and better wall penetration, or switch to 5GHz for faster speeds with reduced interference from neighboring networks and household devices.
• Compact Rotatable Design: The adjustable antenna folds down for portable storage and rotates 180 degrees when deployed, allowing optimal positioning for maximum signal strength in any workspace configuration.
• Driver-Free Windows 10/11 Setup: Automatic driver installation on Windows 10 and 11 eliminates manual configuration, getting you online within minutes of plugging in the adapter.

Technical Specifications

Wireless Performance

• Wi-Fi Standard: IEEE 802.11ac/a/b/g/n
• Maximum Speed: 650 Mbps combined (433 Mbps on 5GHz + 200 Mbps on 2.4GHz)
• Frequency Bands: Dual-band (2.4GHz and 5GHz)
• Wireless Security: WPA/WPA2/WPA3 encryption
• Modulation Technology: OFDM, CCK, DBPSK, DQPSK, BPSK, QPSK, 16-QAM, 64-QAM

Antenna & Range

• Antenna Type: External high-gain 5dBi antenna
• Antenna Design: Rotatable 180 degrees, foldable for transport
• Effective Range: Up to 80 meters in open space (varies by environment and obstacles)
• Signal Enhancement: Approximately 3x stronger reception than non-external antenna adapters

Interface & Hardware

• Interface: USB 2.0 Type-A
• Chipset: Realtek RTL8811CU
• Operating Channels: 2.4GHz (1-13), 5GHz (36-165, region dependent)
• Transmission Power: 2.4GHz ≤20dBm, 5GHz ≤20dBm

Physical Design

• Dimensions: 62 x 18 x 8mm (adapter body with antenna folded)
• Antenna Length: 105mm when extended
• Weight: Approximately 12g
• Color: Black
• LED Indicator: Blue light indicates power and connection status
• Build Material: ABS plastic housing

System Requirements & Compatibility

• Operating Systems: Windows 11/10/8.1/8/7 (32/64-bit), macOS 10.9-10.15, Linux (kernel 4.4 or later)
• USB Port: USB 2.0 or USB 3.0 available port
• Minimum Requirements: 1GHz processor, 512MB RAM
• Disk Space: 50MB for driver installation

Package Contents

• 1x UGREEN AC650 Wireless USB Adapter (CM496)
• 1x Driver CD (latest drivers also available online)
• 1x Quick Start Guide

Standards & Certifications

• Compliance: FCC, CE, RoHS
• Backward Compatibility: Works with 802.11a/b/g/n routers and access points

Use Cases & Applications

For Students

Budget-conscious students often work with older desktop computers or entry-level laptops lacking modern wireless capabilities. The UGREEN AC650 adapter transforms these devices into capable wireless workstations for attending Zoom classes, accessing online course materials, and streaming educational videos. The 650 Mbps speed rating handles typical student computing needs—web browsing, document editing, video lectures, and standard-definition streaming—without performance bottlenecks.

Dorm rooms and student housing frequently suffer from weak Wi-Fi signals due to concrete walls and distance from routers. The high-gain 5dBi antenna significantly improves reception compared to built-in laptop Wi-Fi, maintaining stable connections for online classes even in challenging wireless environments. Students can position the rotatable antenna for optimal signal direction, compensating for poor router placement in shared living spaces.

The compact, portable design makes this adapter ideal for students moving between dorm rooms, libraries, and home. The foldable antenna protects against damage during transport while keeping the adapter small enough to leave plugged into laptops without risk of breakage in backpacks.

For Business Professionals

Office desktop computers frequently lack built-in wireless connectivity, traditionally requiring Ethernet cables or wireless adapters. The UGREEN AC650 provides an economical solution for adding Wi-Fi to desktop workstations, enabling flexible office layouts without cable routing constraints. Small businesses outfitting multiple workstations appreciate the adapter’s balance between performance and cost.

Remote workers and home office professionals use this adapter to upgrade older computers or replace failing laptop Wi-Fi cards. The dual-band capability ensures reliable video conferencing and cloud application access—essential for maintaining professional communication quality. The 433 Mbps 5GHz speed handles video calls, email, document collaboration, and web-based CRM systems simultaneously without noticeable lag.

Business travelers carry this adapter as an emergency backup when hotel Wi-Fi proves weak or unreliable. The high-gain antenna can capture usable signals in situations where standard laptop Wi-Fi struggles, ensuring connectivity for time-sensitive work. The lightweight design adds minimal bulk to laptop bags while providing valuable insurance against connectivity problems.

Home Office and Light Usage

Users primarily browsing the web, checking email, and streaming standard-definition content find the AC650 adapter provides ample performance for these everyday tasks. The adapter represents an affordable upgrade path for older computers still serving useful purposes but requiring modern wireless connectivity.

Students and professionals working with cloud-based applications like Google Workspace, Microsoft 365, or Dropbox find the adapter handles these services comfortably. File synchronization, real-time document collaboration, and cloud storage access work smoothly within the adapter’s bandwidth capabilities for typical document and spreadsheet files.

Setup and Installation

Windows 10 and 11 users benefit from automatic driver installation—simply plug in the adapter and Windows handles driver setup automatically. Older Windows versions and macOS users should install drivers from the included CD or download the latest version from UGREEN’s support website before connecting the adapter.

Position the antenna vertically and rotate it to maximize signal strength. The 180-degree rotation range allows fine-tuning for optimal reception regardless of USB port orientation. For desktop computers positioned under desks, consider using a USB extension cable to elevate the adapter for better line-of-sight to your router.

Access your computer’s network settings to select between 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands based on your needs. The adapter connects to both bands, though you manually select which network to join in environments where routers broadcast separate SSIDs for each band.

Performance Optimization

While this adapter uses USB 2.0 interface, its wireless speed capabilities match the interface bandwidth, preventing bottlenecks for its rated performance. The 433 Mbps maximum on 5GHz translates to practical speeds around 200-300 Mbps in optimal conditions—well within USB 2.0’s 480 Mbps theoretical limit.

Choose the 5GHz band when your computer sits relatively close to the router and you need maximum speed for activities like HD video streaming or large file downloads. Switch to 2.4GHz when working in distant rooms or behind multiple walls, as this frequency penetrates obstacles better despite lower maximum speeds.

Keep the adapter’s antenna extended and positioned vertically during use. Folding the antenna down significantly reduces signal reception and should only be done during transport. Experiment with antenna angles if experiencing weak signals—even small adjustments can substantially improve connection quality.

Performance Expectations

Real-world speeds depend on router capabilities, distance, obstacles, and network congestion. In typical home and office environments at moderate distances from routers, expect speeds of 200-300 Mbps on 5GHz and 80-120 Mbps on 2.4GHz—substantially faster than older 802.11n adapters but appropriate for moderate bandwidth needs rather than extremely demanding applications.

This adapter handles video streaming up to 1080p, video conferencing, web browsing, and cloud productivity applications comfortably. Users frequently transferring very large files (multi-gigabyte video projects, large datasets) or requiring absolute maximum wireless speeds should consider higher-tier adapters like the AC1300, but most students and business users find the AC650 delivers excellent value for typical computing tasks.

Important Considerations

The external antenna adds approximately 10cm to the adapter’s profile when extended. Ensure your workspace provides clearance for the antenna, and be mindful of the protruding antenna when transporting laptops to avoid damage. The antenna folds down against the adapter body for safer transport.

Like all USB Wi-Fi adapters, the CM496 draws power from your computer’s USB port, resulting in minimal additional power consumption. Laptop users may notice slightly reduced battery life compared to using internal Wi-Fi cards, though the impact remains small for most usage patterns.

This adapter supports modern WPA2 and WPA3 wireless security standards, ensuring secure connections to contemporary routers. The adapter works with older WPA routers as well, providing broad compatibility across home and business networks regardless of age.

The UGREEN AC650 adapter represents an excellent balance of performance, portability, and affordability for students and business professionals with moderate wireless connectivity needs. While not the fastest adapter available, it delivers reliable dual-band performance at a price point accessible for budget-conscious users upgrading older equipment or seeking backup connectivity solution