UGREEN AC1300 Dual-Band Wireless USB Adapter – CM492

The UGREEN AC1300 Dual-Band Wireless USB Adapter upgrades desktops and laptops with fast, reliable Wi-Fi connectivity supporting speeds up to 1300 Mbps. This compact USB adapter enables students to connect older computers to modern high-speed networks for online learning and streaming, while business professionals use it to add wireless capability to desktop workstations or boost weak laptop Wi-Fi performance during travel. It’s an essential upgrade for anyone needing faster wireless speeds or dual-band connectivity on devices with outdated or missing Wi-Fi hardware.

Key Features & Benefits

• AC1300 Dual-Band Speed: Delivers combined speeds up to 1300 Mbps (867 Mbps on 5GHz + 400 Mbps on 2.4GHz), providing enough bandwidth for HD video streaming, online gaming, and large file downloads without buffering or lag.
• Dual-Band Frequency Selection: Switch between 2.4GHz for better range through walls and 5GHz for faster speeds with less interference, optimizing performance based on your location and network congestion.
• High-Gain External Antenna: The adjustable 5dBi antenna significantly improves signal reception compared to internal laptop Wi-Fi, maintaining strong connections even in distant rooms or challenging wireless environments.
• USB 3.0 High-Speed Interface: Connects via USB 3.0 for maximum data transfer rates without bottlenecks, while remaining backward compatible with USB 2.0 ports on older computers.
• Plug-and-Play for Windows 10/11: Automatic driver installation on Windows 10 and 11 means you can connect to networks within minutes, while included drivers support Windows 7/8 and macOS for broader compatibility.

Technical Specifications

Wireless Performance

• Wi-Fi Standard: IEEE 802.11ac/a/b/g/n
• Maximum Speed: 1300 Mbps combined (867 Mbps on 5GHz + 400 Mbps on 2.4GHz)
• Frequency Bands: Dual-band (2.4GHz and 5GHz)
• Wireless Security: WPA/WPA2/WPA3 encryption support
• Modulation: OFDM, CCK, DBPSK, DQPSK, BPSK, QPSK, 16-QAM, 64-QAM, 256-QAM

Antenna & Range

• Antenna Type: External detachable 5dBi high-gain antenna
• Antenna Design: Adjustable and rotatable for optimal positioning
• Effective Range: Up to 100 meters in open space (performance varies by environment)

Interface & Connectivity

• Interface: USB 3.0 Type-A (backward compatible with USB 2.0)
• Chipset: Realtek RTL8812BU
• Operating Channels: 2.4GHz (1-13), 5GHz (36-165, varies by region)

Physical Design

• Dimensions: 75 x 23 x 11mm (adapter body)
• Antenna Length: 150mm when fully extended
• Weight: Approximately 20g
• Color: Black
• LED Indicator: Status light shows connection activity

System Requirements & Compatibility

• Operating Systems: Windows 11/10/8.1/8/7 (32/64-bit), macOS 10.9-10.15, Linux (kernel 2.6.24 or later)
• USB Port: USB 3.0 or USB 2.0 available port
• Processor: 1GHz or faster recommended
• RAM: 512MB minimum (1GB recommended)

Package Contents

• 1x UGREEN AC1300 Wireless USB Adapter
• 1x 5dBi External Antenna
• 1x Driver CD (Windows/macOS drivers also available for download)
• 1x Quick Installation Guide

Standards & Certifications

• Compliance: FCC, CE, RoHS
• Backward Compatibility: 802.11a/b/g/n devices

Use Cases & Applications

For Students

Many students inherit older desktop computers or purchase budget laptops that lack modern Wi-Fi capabilities. The UGREEN AC1300 adapter transforms these devices into fast wireless workstations capable of handling video lectures, collaborative cloud documents, and streaming educational content. The dual-band capability proves particularly valuable in crowded dorm environments where dozens of devices compete for 2.4GHz bandwidth—simply switch to the less congested 5GHz band for better performance.

Students attending online classes benefit from the improved signal strength provided by the external antenna. Maintain stable video connections even in rooms far from routers or in buildings with thick walls that weaken Wi-Fi signals. The adapter’s compact size makes it portable enough to move between dorm rooms, libraries, and home during breaks.

Gaming students appreciate the reduced latency that 5GHz connections provide compared to slower built-in adapters. While wired connections remain ideal for competitive gaming, this adapter offers substantially better wireless performance than outdated laptop Wi-Fi cards, reducing lag and maintaining stable connections during online matches.

For Business Professionals

Desktop workstations in offices often lack built-in wireless capabilities, requiring either Ethernet connections or wireless adapters. The UGREEN adapter provides flexibility to relocate desktops without running new network cables, useful during office reorganizations or hot-desking arrangements. Business professionals working from home can position desktop computers anywhere in their workspace without depending on cable routing.

Business travelers carry this adapter as an emergency backup when laptop Wi-Fi fails or performs poorly. Hotel room Wi-Fi often suffers from weak signals or interference—the high-gain antenna can capture usable signals where built-in laptop adapters struggle. The compact design fits easily in laptop bags without adding noticeable weight.

Remote workers participating in frequent video conferences benefit from the adapter’s reliable 5GHz performance. Maintain professional-quality video calls without the freezing and audio dropouts that plague weaker wireless connections. The AC1300 speed rating provides ample bandwidth for simultaneous video conferencing and cloud application usage.

Technical and Creative Professionals

Graphic designers, video editors, and other creative professionals working with large files appreciate the adapter’s fast transfer speeds when moving projects to network storage or cloud backup services. While not matching wired gigabit speeds, the AC1300 adapter significantly outperforms older wireless standards, reducing wait times for uploads and downloads.

IT professionals keep these adapters in their toolkit for troubleshooting network issues, temporarily connecting devices during infrastructure changes, or adding wireless capability to specialized equipment like network-attached storage devices or servers requiring occasional wireless access.

Setup and Installation

Windows 10 and 11 users can typically plug in the adapter and connect to networks immediately using built-in drivers. For Windows 7/8 and macOS users, install the included drivers from the CD or download the latest version from UGREEN’s website for optimal performance and compatibility.

Position the external antenna vertically and adjust its angle for best signal reception. The rotatable antenna allows fine-tuning to maximize signal strength—experiment with different positions if experiencing weak connectivity. For desktop computers under desks, consider using a USB extension cable to position the adapter higher for better signal reception.

Optimizing Performance

Connect the adapter to USB 3.0 ports (typically marked with blue inserts) whenever possible to avoid speed bottlenecks. USB 2.0 ports work but may limit actual throughput below the adapter’s capabilities, particularly on the 5GHz band.

Access your router’s settings to check which band offers better performance in your environment. In congested areas with many visible networks, the 5GHz band typically provides faster, more stable connections despite slightly shorter range. For devices far from routers, the 2.4GHz band’s superior wall penetration may deliver better overall performance.

Keep the adapter’s drivers updated by checking UGREEN’s support website periodically. Driver updates often improve compatibility with newer routers and operating system updates while addressing potential stability issues.

Performance Expectations

Actual wireless speeds depend on numerous factors including distance from router, physical obstructions, network congestion, and router capabilities. In optimal conditions close to a compatible AC router, expect speeds of 400-600 Mbps on 5GHz and 150-250 Mbps on 2.4GHz—substantially faster than older 802.11n adapters but below the theoretical 1300 Mbps maximum.

For typical student and business use—video streaming, web browsing, video conferencing, and cloud file access—this adapter provides excellent performance. Very large file transfers benefit from wired connections when available, but the UGREEN adapter handles everyday wireless demands reliably.

Important Considerations

The adapter requires a clear USB port and sufficient space for the external antenna. Laptops with closely-spaced USB ports may need a short extension cable if the adapter blocks adjacent ports. The protruding antenna also requires careful handling during transport to avoid damage.

Battery-powered devices like laptops may experience slightly increased power consumption when using USB Wi-Fi adapters compared to internal wireless cards. However, the performance improvement often justifies the minimal battery impact for users requiring better wireless connectivity.

This adapter supports WPA3 encryption for enhanced security on compatible networks, though most current networks still use WPA2. The adapter works with both security standards, ensuring compatibility with existing and future wireless networks as security standards evolve.