Wireless adapter USB or PCI, any difference?

I have a Dell Dimension Desktop sitting about 23 feet from a D-Link wireless router. The Dell has USB access at the front of the case, and the case is sitting facing the router. Considering the distance involved, and the fact that a PCI adapter with its antenna will have its line of sight blocked by the case, is it better to get a USB adapter for the front, or does it even matter? I've read here on another thread that someone thinks the USB adapter is superior to the PCI anyway. CompUSA is selling a ZyXell adapter for $9.99 after rebates-both the PCI and USB are priced the same. In the past, I've seen the PCIs costing a good deal more than the USBs(other brands, like D-Link, Linksys, etc), and formed the general opinion that the PCIs are superior to the USBs. I purchased a ZyXell router and PCMCIA adapter for my daughter a while back, and she is doing just fine with them, so I think this relatively unknown brand is just fine. They gave her excellent tech support, and I have no problem buying their product again, especially considering the price. So, what would you recommend-the PCI or the USB? I plan to get one later today.
Thanks.

 

This has nothing to do with the PCI vs. USB thing but I've found that simply having your USB adapter's antenna on your desktop gives a much stronger signal than having the antenna down on your PCI card on the floor.

And I agree with Tony, USB adapters have come a long way and I don't think the PCI > USB argument is very important anymore.

Gary

 

Excellent strength-USB adapters

I have D-Link wireless adapters with D-Link router and get excellent srength rating for signal all the time.

 

Thanks to all who replied. My uneducated suspicion was that the PCI card was better than the USB solution. All of that was made moot, when CompUSA, in their traditional fashion, told me that they were out of the USB ones, after I had already arrived in their store, so I bought the PCI version. It is working just fine. More than once, I've driven to CompUSA-not especially nearby-to find that what I was after was either sold out, or, they never had it for sale to begin with. They won't admit it of course. I think at this advanced stage of life, I can recognize a lie when I hear one. Sorry, don't mean to rant. Thanks again to you fine folks here at WindowsBBS. Happy Thanksgiving.

 

You might want to go online and see if the exact store in your area has the part you want. It could be a long shot but it might be worth a try.

Gary