在这篇评论中，我仔细研究了华硕的另一个无线(ASUS)适配器(wireless adapter)。这次我测试了ASUS USB-AC56 - 一款专为台式电脑和笔记本电脑设计的USB 适配器。(USB adapter)经过几天的常规使用，我可以分享我的结论。请继续阅读以了解此无线适配器(wireless adapter)是否适合您。
华硕 USB-AC56 无线适配器(ASUS USB-AC56 Wireless Adapter)拆箱
下面你可以看到华硕USB-AC56无线(ASUS USB-AC56 wireless)适配器是如何包装的。该设备承诺 3年保修和 USB(year warranty and USB) 3.0 支持。
在包装盒内您会找到适配器本身、USB 延长(USB extension) 延长线(extension cable)和用于插入适配器的桌面底座、外置(desktop cradle)高增益天线(high-gain antenna)、安装光盘(setup disc)、手册和保修。
(Hardware Specifications)ASUS USB-AC56 无线适配器(ASUS USB-AC56 Wireless Adapter)的硬件规格
ASUS USB-AC56 无线(ASUS USB-AC56 wireless)适配器支持所有现代无线网络(wireless networking)标准，包括 802.11ac 和 802.11n。它的USB 3.0支持可确保您在使用时获得尽可能快的速度。当连接到以 2.4 GHz运行的(GHz)无线网络(wireless network)时，该适配器承诺高达 300 Mbit/s无线数据速率，当连接到以 5 GHz运行的(GHz)无线网络(wireless network)时，其无线数据速率可达到867 Mbit/s。与往常一样，这些速度是理论上的，通常在正常情况下很难达到，当你有很多东西会干扰你的力量和质量(strength and quality)时无线网络(wireless network)。
此适配器内部有两个内置天线，您还可以连接与之捆绑的第三个天线。
在驱动程序支持(driver support)方面，这款设备几乎可以与任何操作系统(operating system)一起使用。它具有适用于从Windows XP开始的所有(Windows XP)Windows版本以及Mac OS X的驱动程序。
您可以在此页面找到其详细的硬件规格：ASUS Dual-band Wireless-AC1200 USB 3.0 Wi-Fi Adapter。
使用华硕 USB-AC56 无线适配器(ASUS USB-AC56 Wireless Adapter)
ASUS USB-AC56的一端有一个USB 端口(USB port)，另一端有一个用于附加天线的插孔。
如果您想在台式计算机(desktop computer)上使用它，则应使用USB 延长(USB extension)线并将其插入台式机底座(desktop cradle)。不幸的是，支架没有磁性，因此您需要小心放置它，以免它轻易掉落。
如果您想在笔记本电脑上使用它，则应插入天线，然后将无线适配器(wireless adapter)直接插入USB 端口(USB port)。适配器也可以在没有天线的情况下工作。但是，如果您在无线信号较弱的区域使用笔记本电脑，天线将有助于提高连接质量。
安装光盘(setup disc)提供了一个用户友好的向导，用于安装此设备所需的驱动程序和软件。
如果您查看官方产品页面(product page)，您会看到有更新的驱动程序和实用程序可用，它们修复了初始版本中的许多错误。要获取最新的驱动程序，请访问此页面：支持无线 USB-AC56(Support For Wireless USB-AC56)。
在我的测试中，我使用了ASUS USB-AC56 实用程序版本 2.0.8.1(ASUS USB-AC56 utility version 2.0.8.1) - 可用的最新版本。
此适配器安装的软件与华硕(ASUS)制造的所有其他无线适配器相同。这是一个小型应用程序，通常经过很好的优化并且使用很少的资源来运行。有了它，您可以连接到您所在地区的无线网络(wireless network)，配置您的无线网络(wireless network)连接，使用WPS连接到一个新的网络，并查看(network and view)您的活动无线连接的状态和属性(status and properties)。您还将欣赏到该实用程序支持多种语言，并且来自世界各地的人们即使不懂英语(English)也可以毫无问题地使用它。
就缺点而言，该实用程序倾向于忽略信号强度非常弱的无线网络。例如，在我所在的地区，我有十几个无线(dozen wireless)网络。他们中的大多数信号强度很差。ASUS USB-AC56 实用程序(ASUS USB-AC56 utility)（版本 2.0.8.1(version 2.0.8.1) ）仅显示我所在位置信号强度最好的 4 或 5 个网络。
我注意到的另一个小问题是，有时，当从睡眠中恢复时，无线适配器(wireless adapter)无法工作。它只是不会连接到任何无线网络。但是，在每次从睡眠中恢复时都不会发生这种情况，每 3 或 4 次恢复时才发生一次。但是， Windows 重新启动(Windows reboot)很快解决了该问题，这使驱动程序唤醒并再次正常运行。
插入华硕USB-AC56无线(ASUS USB-AC56 wireless)网卡，Windows(Windows driver) 8.1就可以检测、安装和使用了华硕(ASUS)提供的连接实用程序(connection utility)。因此(Therefore)，我建议您从华硕支持(ASUS support)网站获取最新版本。
除此之外，我没有注意到这个设备及其软件有什么特别之处。ASUS USB-AC56双频无线-AC1200 (dual-band wireless-AC1200) USB 适配器(USB adapter)的工作方式与笔记本电脑和平板电脑中的任何无线网卡一样。(wireless network card)
基准表现
为了评估华硕 USB-AC56 无线(ASUS USB-AC56 wireless)适配器提供的网络连接质量，我在我的(network connection)台式电脑(desktop computer)和Surface Pro 2上运行了一系列测试。我的 Internet 连接由ASUS RT-AC68U 路由器(ASUS RT-AC68U router)管理。
首先，我使用 1 Gbps(Gbps)有线以太网连接(ethernet connection)在我的桌面上运行了所有测试并测量了结果。然后，我禁用了有线连接并使用了华硕 USB-AC56 无线(ASUS USB-AC56 wireless)适配器。它连接到我家的 5GHz 无线连接，无线模式(wireless mode)设置为 802.11n + 802.11ac。从这个比较中，您将很好地了解从PC 上的有线以太网连接切换到(ethernet connection)无线(wireless one)连接时会丢失什么，以减少家中的电线。
但是，为了让您更好地了解ASUS USB-AC56提供的性能，我还在我的Surface Pro 2上进行了相同的测试。两台设备同时连接到同一个网络。Surface Pro 2放在同一张桌子上，距离我的电脑几厘米。查看ASUS USB-AC56(ASUS USB-AC56)获得的结果并将它们与Surface Pro 2进行比较，这样您就可以很好地了解该设备与笔记本电脑和平板电脑中的无线网卡相比的性能如何。(wireless network)我还添加了我们之前测试过的无线适配器获得的结果： (wireless adapter)ASUS PCE-AC68- 只为台式电脑设计的更昂贵的型号。
首先，我运行PingTest来评估我在所有测试场景中的Internet 连接质量。(Internet connection)正如您在下图中看到的那样，ping 回复(ping reply)和抖动（测量连续 ping 测试的差异）非常好，即使从有线连接转到无线连接也是(wireless one)如此。使用华硕USB-AC56无线(ASUS USB-AC56 wireless)适配器时，ping回复(ping reply)仅增加了1ms ，而抖动改善了1ms。
然后，我运行SpeedTest以测量我的Internet 连接(Internet connection)的下载和上传速度。我在所有测量中都使用了同一台服务器。如您所见，当从有线以太网连接(ethernet connection)切换到无线连接时，(wireless one)下载速度(download speed)受到了很大影响。下载速度(download speed)降低了81%。但是，上传速度保持不变，华硕 USB-AC56 无线(ASUS USB-AC56 wireless)适配器的性能仅比在我的 PC 上使用有线连接时好一点。将华硕 USB-AC56 无线(ASUS USB-AC56 wireless)适配器与Surface Pro 2上的无线网卡(wireless network card)进行比较时，下载速度(download speed)快了5 % faster，上传速度快了 2 % faster。一个好结果！
最后，我使用LAN Speed Test Lite来测量在我的一台笔记本电脑之间传输 350 MB 文件时的(MB file)下载和上传速度。(download and upload speeds)笔记本电脑上有一个较旧的 SSD，它连接到同一个 5GHz 网络。
在我的台式电脑上使用ASUS USB-AC56 无线(ASUS USB-AC56 wireless)适配器时，平均上传速度比使用有线连接时慢 51%，比我的Surface Pro 2快 52% 。下载速度比使用有线连接时慢 47%，比我的Surface Pro 2快 68% 。这是一个很好的结果！
在我的所有测试中，华硕 USB-AC56 无线适配器的性能都很棒。该设备应该能够胜过任何标准无线网卡，例如笔记本电脑和平板电脑中的无线网卡。(The performance of the ASUS USB-AC56 wireless adapter was great in all my tests. This device should be able to outperform any standard wireless network card, like the ones found in laptops and tablets.)
判决
除了我对华硕 USB-AC56 无线(ASUS USB-AC56 wireless)适配器可用软件的一些小问题外，我对这款设备的性能感到满意。华硕 USB-AC56 无线(ASUS USB-AC56 wireless)适配器几乎适用于任何操作系统(operating system)，它易于使用，并且在下载和上传文件时提供了极快的速度。我们向所有读者推荐它。
Reviewing the ASUS USB-AC56 Dual-Band Wireless-AC1200 USB Adapter
In thіs review I take a close look at another wireless adаpter from ASUS. This timе I have tested ASUS USB-AC56 - a USB adapter which wаs designed to work on both desktop computers and laptops. After a cоuple of days of regular use, I can shаre my conclusions. Read on to learn whether this wireless adapter is a good choice for you.
Unboxing the ASUS USB-AC56 Wireless Adapter
Below you can see how the ASUS USB-AC56 wireless adapter is packaged. The device promises a 3 year warranty and USB 3.0 support.
Inside the box you will find the adapter itself, an USB extension extension cable and a desktop cradle for plugging the adapter, an external high-gain antenna, the setup disc, the manual and the warranty.
Hardware Specifications for the ASUS USB-AC56 Wireless Adapter
The ASUS USB-AC56 wireless adapter offers support for all modern wireless networking standards including 802.11ac and 802.11n. Its USB 3.0 support ensures that you get as much speed as possible when using it. This adapter promises wireless data rates of up to 300 Mbit/s when connected to wireless networks running at 2.4 GHz and 867 Mbit/s when connected to wireless networks running at 5 GHz. As always, these speeds are theoretical and they are generally hard to achieve in normal conditions, when you have lots of things interfering with the strength and quality of your wireless network.
There are two built-in antennas inside this adapter and you can also attach the third one that's bundled with it.
In terms of driver support, this device can work with just about any operating system. It has drivers for all Windows versions starting with Windows XP and also for Mac OS X.
You can find its detailed hardware specifications at this page: ASUS Dual-band Wireless-AC1200 USB 3.0 Wi-Fi Adapter.
Using the ASUS USB-AC56 Wireless Adapter
ASUS USB-AC56 has a USB port at one end and a jack for the additional antenna at the other.
If you want to use it on a desktop computer, then you should use the USB extension cable and and plug it into the desktop cradle. Unfortunately, the cradle is not magnetic so you need to be careful where you place it so that it doesn't fall easily.
If you want to use it on a laptop, then you should plug in the antenna and then insert the wireless adapter directly into a USB port. The adapter also works without the antenna. However, if you use your laptop in an area with weak wireless signal, the antenna will help improve the quality of your connection a bit.
The setup disc provides a user-friendly wizard for installing the drivers and software necessary for this device.
If you look on the official product page, you will see that there are newer drivers and utilities available, which fix many bugs from the initial release. To get the latest drivers, visit this page: Support For Wireless USB-AC56.
In my testing, I have used the ASUS USB-AC56 utility version 2.0.8.1 - the latest version that was available.
The software installed for this adapter is the same as for all other wireless adapters made by ASUS. It's a small application that's generally well optimized and uses very few resources in order to run. With it, you can connect to wireless networks in your area, configure your wireless network connections, use WPS to connect to a new network and view the status and properties of your active wireless connection. You will also appreciate that this utility is available in many languages and people from all over the world will be able to use it without issues, even though they do not know English.
In terms of downsides, this utility tends to ignore wireless networks with very weak signal strength. For example, in my area I have more than a dozen wireless networks. Most of them have very poor signal strength. The ASUS USB-AC56 utility (version 2.0.8.1) displayed only the best 4 or 5 networks which have decent signal strength in my location.
Another small issue I have noticed was that sometimes, when resuming from sleep, the wireless adapter failed to work. It just wouldn't connect to any wireless network. This did not happen during each resume from sleep though, only once every 3 or 4 resumes. However, the issue was quickly fixed by a Windows reboot, which made the driver wake up and function correctly again.
Windows 8.1 was able to detect, install and use the ASUS USB-AC56 wireless adapter as soon as I plugged it in. However, the download and upload speeds obtained with the Windows driver were lower than what I got after I installed the latest drivers and the connection utility provided by ASUS. Therefore, I do recommend that you get the latest version from the ASUS support website.
Other than this, I did not notice anything special about this device and its software. The ASUS USB-AC56 dual-band wireless-AC1200 USB adapter worked just like any wireless network card you find in laptops and tablets.
Performance in Benchmarks
In order to evaluate the quality of the network connection provided by the ASUS USB-AC56 wireless adapter, I have run a series of tests on my desktop computer and my Surface Pro 2. My Internet connection was managed by an ASUS RT-AC68U router.
First, I ran all the tests on my desktop while using a 1 Gbps wired ethernet connection and measured the results. Then, I disabled the wired connection and used the ASUS USB-AC56 wireless adapter. It was connected to my home's 5GHz wireless connection, with the wireless mode set to 802.11n + 802.11ac. From this comparison you will gain a good understanding of what you lose when switching from a wired ethernet connection on your PC to a wireless one, for the benefit of having fewer wires in your home.
But, in order to give you a good understanding of the performance provided by ASUS USB-AC56, I also ran the same tests on my Surface Pro 2. Both devices were connected to the same network, at the same time. The Surface Pro 2 was placed on the same desk, centimeters away from my PC. Look at the results obtained by ASUS USB-AC56 and compare them to the Surface Pro 2, so that you get a good idea of how well this device performs when compared to the wireless network cards found in laptops and tablets. I also have added the result obtained by a previous wireless adapter we have tested: ASUS PCE-AC68 - a much more expensive model that is designed only for desktop computers.
First, I ran PingTest to evaluate the quality of my Internet connection in all test scenarios. As you can see in the graph below, the ping reply and the jitter (the variance in measuring successive ping tests) were great, even when going from a wired connection to a wireless one. The ping reply has increased only by 1ms when using the ASUS USB-AC56 wireless adapter, while the jitter was better by 1ms.
Then, I ran SpeedTest in order to measure the download and upload speeds of my Internet connection. I have used the same server in all of my measurements. As you can see, the download speed took a big hit when switching from a wired ethernet connection to a wireless one. The download speed was 81% lower. However, the upload speed remained the same and the ASUS USB-AC56 wireless adapter performed just a bit better than when using a wired connection on my PC. When comparing the ASUS USB-AC56 wireless adapter to the wireless network card on the Surface Pro 2, the download speed was 5% faster while the upload speed was 2% faster. A good result!
Lastly, I used LAN Speed Test Lite to measure the download and upload speeds when transferring a 350 MB file to and from one of my laptops. The laptop had an older SSD on it and it was connected to the same 5GHz network.
When using the ASUS USB-AC56 wireless adapter on my desktop PC, the average upload speed was 51% slower than when using a wired connection and 52% faster than on my Surface Pro 2. The download speed 47% slower than when using a wired connection and 68% faster than on my Surface Pro 2. This was a great result!
The performance of the ASUS USB-AC56 wireless adapter was great in all my tests. This device should be able to outperform any standard wireless network card, like the ones found in laptops and tablets.
Verdict
Except a few minor quibbles I had with the software available for the ASUS USB-AC56 wireless adapter, I was pleased with the performance of this device. The ASUS USB-AC56 wireless adapter will work with just about any operating system, it is easy to use and it provides great speed both when downloading and uploading files. We recommend it to all our readers.
