Wifi signal strength on different devices

[Shadotaku]

When I type the command "netsh wlan show inferfaces" into Admin Command Prompt my PC shows a wifi signal strength of 22% but my laptop in the exact same place shows 80%. Is this an issue with the PC network adapter or the router? Also will the speed of my connection be significantly reduced if I use and extender or cause issues for my laptop which has a decent signal already?

 

[kanewolf]

An extender will usually cut your speed in half. The extender has to receive then re-transmit the base signal. That takes time away from your connection. WIFI can only receive OR transmit and only one signal at a time. That means the extender looses bandwidth.

Your laptop has an antenna in the lid (usually). Your desktop may have an external antenna (maybe not). But it is buried in the desk with wires and other impediments to radio transmission.

 

[Shadotaku]

An extender will usually cut your speed in half. The extender has to receive then re-transmit the base signal. That takes time away from your connection. WIFI can only receive OR transmit and only one signal at a time. That means the extender looses bandwidth.

Your laptop has an antenna in the lid (usually). Your desktop may have an external antenna (maybe not). But it is buried in the desk with wires and other impediments to radio transmission.

My PC has a TP Link network adapter with two antenna at the back. I'm now using low loss extension cable to position them a few meters more in the direction of the router and clear of obstructions but this has still resulted in what I originally described. I'm on the 1st floor of my house in the opposite corner to the router on the ground floor. would buying better antennas work instead of the ones that came with the network adapter?

 

[kanewolf]

I don't recommend using WIFI on a desktop. I would recommend using powerline adapters if you can't run ethernet cable.