Realtek Rtl8188cu Wireless Lan 80211n Usb 20 Network Adapter

Here’s an interesting, honest, and slightly dramatic review of the Realtek RTL8188CU Wireless LAN 802.11n USB 2.0 Network Adapter — written as if by a real user.

What Exactly is the Realtek RTL8188CU?

The RTL8188CU is a highly integrated single-chip wireless LAN (WLAN) USB 2.0 controller designed by Realtek Semiconductor Corp. Released during the late 2000s and peaking in popularity from 2010 to 2015, this chipset was the workhorse for budget-friendly “N” adapters. realtek rtl8188cu wireless lan 80211n usb 20 network adapter

Title: The $8 Dongle That Refuses to Die (And Somehow Works on Everything)

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5 — loses one star for driver fussiness, but wins it back in spirit) What Exactly is the Realtek RTL8188CU

How to Identify If You Own One

You don't need to open the case. Connect the USB adapter and follow these steps: Open Device Manager

1. Open Device Manager.
2. Right-click the adapter > Properties > Details tab.
3. In the dropdown, select "Hardware Ids."
4. If you see USB\VID_0BDA&PID_8176 or USB\VID_0BDA&PID_8179 – you have an RTL8188CU family chip.