Dell Wireless G or Intel Wireless N

Is the $59 upgrade to the Intel Wireless N worth the cash? I don't have a lot of money and need to choose the upgrades wisely that I choose. So, is the intel card with the N network that much better than the G?

I don't have any wireless N networks to connect to at the moment and I don't need the wireless N speed for networking. But, I am concerned about the range. I heard that the wireless N range is much farther even on G networks versus the Dell Wireless G.

Thanks!

 

if u dont have any money, then dont bother...... the wireless-N card does have better range on G, but its an optional upgrade

 

The Dell network cards in general just aren't as good quality as the Intel cards regardless of it being G or N. Intel usually has better drivers/more frequently updated drivers, less compatibility options with routers, better range, more reliability etc. I'm not necessarily saying the Dell cards are bad, Intel is just better.

 

Yes, the Intel N card will give you more range...but you probably won't notice much of a difference unless you're using an N router. I would recommend, however, going for wireless N, even if you don't have an N router...because the chances of you keeping that router longer than your computer are probably pretty slim.

If you truly are limited, however, go for the G. They'll both work.

 

Unless you plan on getting a wireless N router too I would just skip it. A good wireless N router is going to be at least $100 so you will have to figure that into your budget as well.

 

I've spent a lot of time on wireless connections (too much). And from what I have seen, the Intel Cards have MUCH better drivers than the Dell (Broadcom) cards.

Is it an option to get an Intel wireless G card?

 

I got the intel just to help future proof my laptop, someday N will probably be the overwelming standard (probably not too far off)

 

I didn't see an option for an intel G card.

And I didn't even consider the Dell N card since I have heard before that the Intel cards are just much better. And the price difference of those two N cards was only $10.

So the real difference was N intel card for 59$ or G Dell for stock price.

I think the G card will suit me fine because I don't have any issues with using G speeds (the internet connection speed is capped well below G's max speeds) although I might be shooting myself in the foot if later I could have accessed a wireless N network 15" farther away if I had gotten N.

I'll actually have to look at wireless N networks. I didn't realize actually that wireless N vs. G networks provided more range. I thought it was just network speed.

Thanks all,

 

Intel is practically a generation ahead of Dell cards. Intel's latest cards all include N, so there really is no G option left. However, the card will work in G mode.

 

i went with the intel, get to find out tomorrow how good it is. I heard that the dell cards take more time to establish a connection out of sleep mode or to reconnect a lost signal, as well as the range.

 

Intel N card is worth it in my opinion for a few reasons. One N is the next gen wifi standard. two, N will work with the G signal you have now. Three The intel card will work out of the box with most linux distros.