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    Dell Wireless 1510N Half MiniCard

    Discussion in 'Dell' started by ps89, Apr 11, 2009.

  1. ps89

    ps89 Notebook Consultant

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    Hello guys. I have a Studio 15 with Dell Wireless 1510N Mini-card. I noticed that the signal strength of this card is quite bad. I have another Studio with a Intel Wi-Fi Link 5100 and the signal strength is very good. I did some testing by putting two laptops on the same spot. The Intel card has a signal strength of 94% while the Dell card has only 60%. Is it because the Dell card is faulty or something?
     
    ps89, Apr 11, 2009
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  2. Mastershroom

    Mastershroom wat

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    The Dell card just isn't as good as the Intel WiFi Link. That's why you pay extra for that one. :p
     
    Mastershroom, Apr 11, 2009
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  3. ps89

    ps89 Notebook Consultant

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    Thanks for your reply. But then the difference shouldn't be that wide right? I didn't have the chance to choose the Intel card as the only wireless N card available last time was the Dell card. I feel like giving Dell a call and tell them about it. :)
     
    ps89, Apr 11, 2009
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  4. Commander Wolf

    Commander Wolf can i haz broadwell?

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    Dunno if Dell will give you a new card, but you can switch the card yourself if you're so inclined. If you can find a half-height 5100 or 5300 card on eBay, they're generally not that expensive, and easy to swap. It's probably worth while if you're constantly getting poor reception with the Dell card.
     
    Commander Wolf, Apr 11, 2009
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  5. Mastershroom

    Mastershroom wat

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    You can find an Intel 5300 WiFi card on eBay for $20 with free shipping, although you should make sure you have the three required antenna wires first (black, white, and grey). Some models may not have the grey wire.

    If you only have black and white, then you can get the 5100, which is similarly priced on eBay and only requires the black and white antenna wires.
     
    Mastershroom, Apr 11, 2009
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  6. ps89

    ps89 Notebook Consultant

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    Okay. Thanks for the advice. So it can be concluded that the Dell card isn' not faulty and its performance is not as good as the Intel cards? I live in Malaysia and the Intel cards are kinda hard to come by. I can order the card from eBay but it's quite expensive. I guess I'll just live with the Dell card for the time being. :)
     
    ps89, Apr 11, 2009
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  7. Mastershroom

    Mastershroom wat

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    I don't know about the Dell Wireless-N card, but I have the regular Dell 1397 wireless a/b/g card, and sometimes it has issues connecting. I'm thinking of ordering an Intel WiFi Link 5300 and see how well that works, since I have all three necessary antenna wires (black, white, and grey) even though the Dell 1397 only uses black and white.
     
    Mastershroom, Apr 11, 2009
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