The most common type of wireless network adapter is one that is plugged into a USB port of a computer. It offers more convenience than a PCI wireless adapter card, which has to be placed inside a special slot on a motherboard of a computer.
Something users may not be aware of is the maximum speed and compatibility of their wireless network adapters. For example, an adapter with 802.11g technology that is connected to a wireless router that uses 802.11 n technology will only get a maximum speed of the G band technology. For maximum performance, it is recommended to use an adapter that has the same 802.11 technology as the wireless router.