Dell Wireless VS Intel PRO/Wireless

Just wanna ask if there is any major trade off in opting for Dell Wireless 1390 802.11g instead of choosing Intel PRO/Wireless 3945 802.11a/g (at an extra cost), aside from the former not having 802.11a access. Does the Dell spontaneously disconnect? Does it have a hard time looking for a wireless access point? Is it just really crappy and not functional at all?

Thanks.

 

I would think they both work fine. The only compelling reason I know of is the Intel wireless cards have mature drivers for Linux, while the Dell (re-badged Broadcom) do not. If you're sticking with Windows you should be OK with the Dell.

Supposedly the Intel "Centrino" system has better energy use too, but I've never seen any tests done on one vs. the other.

 

intel still can't provide vista 64 driver for intel pro 2915, its software team is really weak.

 

If you plan on theoretically running Mac OS, I believe that as does Dell, Apple uses the Broadcom chipset for its airport express wireless card, so drivers are easier to obtain for the Dell wireless card than the Intel.

Personally, I'd prefer the Centrino combo that Intel recommends, which means using its card, not Dell's.

 

Dell charges $29 for the upgrade.
The card can be bought by itself for $24

Get the dell, if it doesn't fit your nedds, get the intel or something else.

 

I actually have both the Dell 1500 and the Intel 3945. Both are good cards but I got better signal with the Dell 1500 though. I would go with what fits your budget. Oh and what n19htmare said is true. You can buy the Intel one new easily from Amazon.com or the likes less than that upgrade price.

 

Thanks for the replies everyone.

So the Dell wireless isn't exactly as bad as some have complained? It shouldn't give me a hard time connecting to my wireless router at home or the free Wi-Fi connection at school, right?

 

should work just as good as any.

 

I chose Dell wireless for my D610 but I have more hassle than some others in connecting to routers in coffee shops. Also the WLTRAY.EXE process (for the icon in the system tray) leaks memory and I periodically have to kill the process and restart it to get the memory back.

For the M1330 I took the Intel option. After initial problems which I think were fixed by a driver update I have no complaints.