Wi-Fi is becoming more and more common in desktop computers, but not all desktop computers have it. Add Wi-Fi and you can connect to the internet wirelessly and host a Wi-Fi hotspot for other devices.
It's an easy, inexpensive process. Buy the right little adapter, which you can even take with you, to quickly add Wi-Fi to any desktop you come across by plugging a small device into a USB port.
1. The easy way: Wi-Fi adapter
Just like you can add Bluetooth to an old computer by simply plugging a small Bluetooth dongle into a USB port, you can also add Wi-Fi to a computer by plugging a small dongle into a USB port. This is an easy and cheap option.
There are tons of USB Wi-Fi adapters on the market of varying quality. They can cost anywhere from a few bucks to a few hundred dollars, depending on build quality and their features. Just because they can cost that much doesn't mean you need to - there are plenty of cheap options out there that are good.
The cheapest options tend to be small and use older Wi-Fi standards. If you're looking for basic connectivity, adapters like this one from TP-Link are great. TP Link has been around for decades, and the company has always delivered a good product. The adapter is small enough that you can plug it into a USB port and completely forget it's there, and you're less likely to accidentally drop it.
If you're looking for something higher-end, like a Wi-Fi 6 or WPA3-compatible adapter, you'll have to spend more. If you have a router that supports Wi-Fi 6, or you're just interested in the future, this adapter from D-Link is a great option.
A bigger, better antenna should improve your connection (to an extent). If connection strength is a major concern and you have enough space