This is the classic “love-hate” relationship. Modern kernels (5.15 and later) have in-tree drivers, but they are often broken.
The default Microsoft driver (dated 2015) is known for high latency, random disconnections, and inability to reconnect after sleep. The signal meter may show full bars while the connection stalls. This is the classic “love-hate” relationship
For comparison, a modern Wi-Fi 5 or 6 adapter can easily push 300-600 Mbps on the 2.4 GHz band alone. The RTL8188CU is adequate for web browsing, email, and 720p video streaming, but it will struggle with 4K streams, large file downloads, or low-latency gaming. The signal meter may show full bars while
Despite its reliability, users may encounter specific issues: Despite its reliability
The RTL8188CU is known for its mature driver ecosystem, making it a popular choice for legacy environments.
Realtek RTL8188CU Wireless LAN 802.11n USB 2.0 Network Adapter Introduction