If anything, I'm still on 17.1.0.19 (no change since my previous post) and my speeds are still somewhat holding up. Certainly no buffering when Skyping or streamining 1080 Youtube videos, but most certainly can be faster. Pinging my router during the more congested times (by congested, I mean 2x other devices nearby, tops, using the same network), the speeds get dismal.
No changes to any settings in Device Manager for me (all default), and again, no physical issues to report with respect to my NUC's antennae. Alas, I'm still thinking the drivers need some work to rectify all these issues.
Curious note. Bought a VAIO Tap 11 on sale the other day. Comes with the 7260 N card, and is running off driver 16.6. That sometimes randomly disconnects, but immediately reconnects. But only sometimes, and the speeds I get on that are superior over what I'm getting on the 7260AC on my NUC. Might try 16.6 sometime soon...