Dell vs. Intel Wireless-N cards for M1530?

I just ordered my 1530, and while going through the specs, the Dell guy told me to go with the Dell Wireless 1505 Wireless-N Mini-card over the Intel Next-Gen Wireless-N Mini-Card because they are the "exact same". He also stated that "if one was better than the other, it would be the Dell, because there may be some compatibility issues with the Intel."

Stupid little me listens to the guy rather than doing some research... and now that I have read the "top 10 1530 questions" thread, I noticed that they recommend the Intel. I'd like some first-hand experiences with this if possible, and what people think of each one.

Please, especially if you have the Dell 1505, please post how well it runs here, and if you would have rather spent an extra $10 for the Intel. Thank you.

~Bradd

 

cancel your order and get the intel card ASAP. dell's wireless cards are unstable and have compatibility issues compared to intel

 

I went with the Intel wireless n card and I haven't had any problems yet. I haven't tried wirless n, but I receive great signal using wireless g.

 

Intel all the way! - Plus, if you like eye candy, by choosing the Intel card, you get the nice Centrino sticker on your laptop (which some have gone far as claiming that it increases the resale value of your system)

 

I got the Dell card - had the computer for 24 Hrs and personally have had no problems with it so far. I know it takes a matter of 10 Minutes to swap cards out so IF I have problems, ill get Dell to replace it and ill pay the difference up to the new card.

 

a lot of users report horrible connections and long reconnect times to their routers with the Dell house and mini-N card and better signal quality with shorter (if any) reconnect times with the Intel one.

 

Another noob question...

I just got my dell xps m1530 with the intel card and am now going to go out and purchase a router. What network standards does this card support (802...g?n?). If more than one, which one should I go for?

Thanks

 

I think the problem with the Dell wireless cards is the drivers. My dad bought a Inspiron 1720 the day they came out last year. The Dell Wireless G card did not work out of the box. So I uninstalled the dell drivers and Vista installed some generic drivers by itself. At first I was like WTF? And then I tried connecting to the wireless network with it and it worked. Been working for over a year on the generic drivers. Never worked with the Dell drivers that came with it

Having said that, I still went with the Intel wireless card for my new XPS M1530.

 

It can use the 802.11n standard. Do you have other wireless devices on your network, they will need to be 802.11n if you want the full speed.

I was reading some reviews this morning and found that the Intel card doesn't work with the Linksys WRT350N.

 

My 1530 is due to be delivered Monday. I ordered the Dell 1395 included in the price of my system. So.... what should I be on the lookout for? How would I go about swapping the card out? I always use my laptop with a wireless connection and right now have an Inspiron 5150 that I'd like to network to my new computer.

 

Of course he is going to tell you that. Dell makes 50% more profit off of one of their cards as opposed to an Intel one. I suggest you definitely change it for an Intel card. The Dell card is the one that has all the problems.

 

I have been using Truemobile (Broadcom) cards (1450, 1390, and 1505) for years due to compatibility reasons and didn't had a single issue. Used Intel cards also, they are not better or worse than Broadcom, however Atheros is superior to both.

 

I went with the Dell card in much the same situation, and despite the strident and dire predictions from some people here, the card has been flawless, giving strong connection on N router at home and excellent connections on the road at hotspots: finds available networks and the utility is very good for connecting and managing networks.
Look at the posts on the networking board: as many isues there with the Intel card as with the Dell.
Try it. If it works well for you no problem: if it ain't broke don't fix it.
Anytime in the first 30 days you can exchange the card but there's no guarantee that the Intel card will work any better: depends on what router you have and if you let Vista and Dell run it (with updated drivers) or futz with it yourself.

 

Intel centrino should give you more reliable connections, but as others mentionned, its worth trying the Dell one first, and if it works well for you, then there is no need to change. If you have any problems with it, Dell can work with you to rectify.

 

Too late hehe, yesterday I switched 2 things... my wireless card over to the Intel... and took off my 15 month McAfee (seems like unneede bloatware).

Also, for some reason they added bluetooth in the order, I checked the cost, it didn't change, weird! But I'm not complaining, hehe.

~B

 

1505 sucks, good job for changing, its the worst wireless card I've dealt with. I swear I was the only person in the whole building that didn't get a reliable internet connection in my dorm room (my schools wireless). My roomates MBP got a almost perfect connection while I was on 1-2 bars, with disconnects every 4 minutes I want to buy a new card, but im just gonna wait until prices drop.