Intel WiFi 5300 not compatible with T9400?

Hi everybody,

Long time lurker, first time poster here. Yesterday I finally ordered a Studio 17 from Dell (UK) - now that they finally have the updated processors in them.

I chose the Intel WiFi 5300 over the WiFi 5100 as I understand it is the better card. However, a few hours later I received an email telling me my order was cancelled because the 5300 was 'unavailable'.

I contacted Dell chat this morning, and was told that the part was available but was incompatible with my processor choice. Apparently the 5300 is a Centrino 2 part, and is only compatible with a Centrino 2 processor. I thought the T9400 was a Centrino 2 processor?

Can anyone help me out by clearing this up, and tell me who is right? If it's true that the parts are incompatible should I go with the T9400/WiFi 5100 or the P8400/WiFi 5300? The Dell chat guy told me that these were the only compatible configurations. If I try to order T9400/5300 again will my order be cancelled again - anyone else tried this?

Thanks for your help - I've learned a lot browsing these forums.

 

Hey there, im using a dell precision m4400 with exactly the hardware combination you want - the T9400 IS a centrino 2 part and so is the WiFi5300.

As far as i understand dell make their own motherboards on some laptops so maybe thats why theres an incompatibility.

 

I would personally go with the stronger processor (the T9400).

 

Thanks for the quick reply MrToshko. I just googled that configuration of processor/wifi card and see a lot of manufacturers providing it. Strange! Anyone else ordered a Dell Studio with this setup?

I agree with the stronger processor - I guess the WiFi card is something that can more easily be replaced/substituted in the future.

 

I'd go with the P8400 + WiFi 5300.

Any modern processor will be fine for whatever you need to do.

 

You can configure T9400 with Intel Wifi 5300 for lenovo thinkpads so I don't think it's a question of incompatibility.

 

Thanks guys for your responses. I'm an experienced PC enthusiast (build my own etc...) - but when the Dell rep said the T9400 wasn't a Centrino 2 part, I started to doubt what I'd known to be right all along. I think I'll go back and try Dell chat again, see what the next guy says, then place my order (again!).

 

OK - tried Dell chat again today, and this time the Rep told me I could configure a Studio 17 with T9400 and WiFi 5300. So I went ahead and placed my order again - now I just have to wait for the cancellation email

 

Wow, since when you guys have Montevina Studio 17 in UK?
I've been waiting for it for couple months here in US

 

Hi Niemitz,

I've been waiting months too! The Montevina appeared on the UK site on Thursday.

Meanwhile, no cancellation email yet this time around. Anyone else get the opinion that Dell Reps use random.org to choose their answers to your questions?

 

Well, guess what? Monday morning, and I get *another* cancellation email from Dell. Same reason given: Intel WiFi 5300 is 'unavailable'. I've emailed the Dell Rep I chatted with on Saturday to try to get some kind of explanation as to why this is happening.

I can't see why it should be a compatibility issue, but if the part is simply out of stock wouldn't they just say so, or take it off the configuration options? (You can still configure a Studio 17 with T9400 and WiFi 5300 this morning on the UK site).

 

Well, *still* no reply to the email I sent to the Dell Rep about this configuration. If anyone else orders a Studio 17 with a T9400 and WiFi 5300, please let me know!

I'm inclined to wait now and see what happens on the US site when their Studio 17s go Montevina...

 

Just a final update for the sake of anyone considering the same spec. I tried to place my order again today, and successfully configured and paid for a T9400 with WiFi 5300. I just received confirmation that the order is being processed - so it seems the Dell chat reps were talking nonsense all along...thought so

 

5300 is still not an option for Studio 1737 on US site.
It is available for some of business line laptops, though.
Is there a comparison 5100 vs 5300 somewhere?

Thanx!