Gadget Lust: TrendNet Mini Wireless-N USB Adapter

Now that 802.11n Wi-Fi is finally final, you may want to start upgrading your PCs to take advantage of it (assuming you have an 802.11n router, of course). That means buying new Wi-Fi adapters to replace your existing ones.

Cutest, smallest, and most affordable 802.11n gizmo I've seen yet: The TrendNet TEW-648UB 150Mbps Mini Wireless N USB Adapter. It's barely larger than a quarter, meaning you'll hardly notice it protruding from your notebook or netbook.

(That being said, I'd consider pairing this with an inexpensive 90-degree USB plug (like this one from Meritline, $2.99) so you can angle the adapter up.)

The TEW-648UB promises a 6x increase in connectivity speed and three times the range of 802.11g. It supports all the major security protocols. Better still, it offers Wi-Fi Protected Setup (WPS), meaning you can connect to your private network(s) with the press of a button.

The adapter sells for around $30 -- less than half the price of other, bulkier 802.11n adapters I've seen. Definitely an upgrade worth considering.