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    Can you manually upgrade the M14x wireless card?

    Discussion in 'Alienware 14 and M14x' started by Atrics, Jun 3, 2011.

  1. Atrics

    Atrics Notebook Enthusiast

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    So I was wondering if I could upgrade my wireless in the future (I have the stock wireless card) and how hard would it be to replace it?
     
    Atrics, Jun 3, 2011
    #1
  2. TitanGod

    TitanGod Notebook Evangelist

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    Yes u can...
    It's a half mini card (max 2 antennas)
    It's right under the battery. On a scale from 1 - 5, 1 bring very easy. It's a (1)
    Check the "owners lounge thread" for the dell service manual.
    They have how to take the bottom panel off and the battery and the card.
     
    TitanGod, Jun 3, 2011
    #2
  3. usmarine0622

    usmarine0622 Notebook Enthusiast

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    yes, I did it in less than 3 mins
     
    usmarine0622, Jun 3, 2011
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  4. avalanche0316

    avalanche0316 Notebook Enthusiast

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    Are you guys sure? I have had both a Dell tech and people on this forum say it can be a pain. The stock card is one antenna and if you want to upgrade to a two antenna card, routing the second antenna through the computer is a huge pain from what I gather.
     
    avalanche0316, Jun 3, 2011
    #4
  5. TitanGod

    TitanGod Notebook Evangelist

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    Im pretty sure the 2nd antenna is there just not being used
     
    TitanGod, Jun 3, 2011
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  6. takeabyte

    takeabyte Notebook Evangelist

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    I'll try to take a couple pics when I get home of the card's location and how the antenna is bundled up...if I remember correctly they were both wrapped in a black outer cable, and route back up into the screen. If so, then it'll probably be more of a hassle than most people want.
     
    takeabyte, Jun 3, 2011
    #6
  7. jeremyshaw

    jeremyshaw Big time Idiot

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    admittedly, it is only 25usd to upgrade to the 6205, argueably the best 2x2 WiFi card there is...
     
    jeremyshaw, Jun 3, 2011
    #7
  8. FlipBack

    FlipBack Notebook Evangelist

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    I would just get the upgrade. I do believe you would have to run the second antenna manually. I do wish they offered a 3x3 card though...
     
    FlipBack, Jun 3, 2011
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  9. TitanGod

    TitanGod Notebook Evangelist

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    If it comes down to routing the 2nd antenna, might as well do the 3rd antenna as well and go for a 3X3 card like the 6300.
     
    TitanGod, Jun 3, 2011
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  10. Conspiracy

    Conspiracy Notebook Consultant

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    But what if you didn't know any better when you ordered your machine? I researched graphics, screen, memory, all the other hardware, but wireless never even crossed my mind, and I had no idea what MIMO was at the time.

    So... I would like to upgrade my wireless card, but I'm not going to screw with it if the second antena isn't in there yet. I don't even have an N router at home yet.
     
    Conspiracy, Jun 3, 2011
    #10
  11. usmarine0622

    usmarine0622 Notebook Enthusiast

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    the 2nd antenna is there already, you won't have to run anything. All you have to do is remove the battery and you will see it.
     
    usmarine0622, Jun 3, 2011
    #11
  12. takeabyte

    takeabyte Notebook Evangelist

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    takeabyte, Jun 4, 2011
    #12