Wireless N vs N dual band, Netgear vs Linksys, and other WiFi hardware questions

[lectrocrew]

My job has me living temporarily at a hotel with several hotels and truck stops in close proximity, most of which have WiFi systems (My WiFi adapter has identified 9+ channels with excellent signal strength). I recently bought an expensive business notebook PC (in my "specs")  that I'd like to keep virus/security clean. I only have wireless experience with the 802.11g router, print server and adapters that I installed at my house. I have no experience with public hot-spot access.
My first question is which adapter is best: Netgear N600 or Cisco Linksys AE1000? (both dual band wireless-N)
The reason I ask is because I first bought a Netgear N300 (wireless-N single band) adapter from Best Buy which worked fine, but then I saw a Linksys AE1000 Dual band adapter at WalMart for less $ than I paid for the N300. AND WalMart also has a Netgear N600 dual band wireless-N adapter for less $ than I paid for the N300 at Best Buy. So I bought the LinksysAE1000 today at WalMart but it is recieving signals from less WiFi channels than the Netgear N300 single band was. I'm thinking I may take the Linksys AE1000 back and exchange it for the Netgear N600.
What should I do here?
Also, my Comodo firewall has alerted me of several attempts to connect to my PC from other PC's. I have ticked "DENY ACCESS" for all attempts reported and everything is fine so far. I just wanted to request some suggestions/directions from some of you here that know more about wireless security than I probably ever will.
Thanks,
Mike
 

[truenorth]

This comment will NOT address your security concerns but will provide an alternative to your WI-FI signal strength aspect. I have just ordered this device and am awaiting delivery this week. I researched it extremely thoroughly before placing my order. I only saw one negative feedback on it and that was related to an "Apple" application. I am not in a position to comment on it from a personal use aspect yet.
http://www.hfield.com/the-wi-fire/
truenorth
P.S. In spite of a very determined effort to find a bricks and mortar retail point of purchase i was not successful and opted to order it from Amazon.com on-line.

[rthompson80819]

If your getting excellent signal strength from 9 channels in your hotel room, you really don't need an external antenna.

External antennas are really only for low or no signal problems.

[truenorth]

My suggestion was based on what the O/P stated about the actual end product he BOUGHT ="So I bought the LinksysAE1000 today at WalMart but it is recieving signals from less WiFi channels than the Netgear N300 single band was."
truenorth

[lectrocrew]

If your getting excellent signal strength from 9 channels in your hotel room, you really don't need an external antenna.

External antennas are really only for low or no signal problems.

I do have a lower signal strength with this linksys AE1000 dual band than I did with the Netgear N300 single band that I returned to Best Buy (money back). But why?
I agree an antenna is not what I need. The USB Wi Fire device that truenorth linked to is intended to be used in conjunction with an Internal Wi Fi adapter anyway,

The Wi-Fire is a compact, range-extending USB device that enables you to access a wireless Internet connection from up to 1,000 feet away–three times the range of your internal wireless adapter.

The wireless adapters in question here are USB. (external).