Intel wifi cards in Dells?

Okay, I wasn't sure which section to post this but I thought to post in the 'general' Dell section. Here's why: I am asking about Intel cards in Dells, the Studio and XPS series, in particular.

When I customize a Dell 15/17 or XPS 16, there are only options for Dell wifi cards. I believe these are Broadcom cards. I dual boot Linux distros and Broadcom cards are generally a headache for Linux users. I also don't like that Dell doesn't include the same Intel wifi card options as they do for their Latitude and Precision series. Why is that?

Another question and the main question of this post is whether you can use an Intel wifi (5100 or 5300, say) in these Dell models. I know there isn't drivers on the Dell website for them but maybe Intel drivers for the Latitude or other Dell laptops that take Intel, might work?

If not, I can't say I'm surprised but just thought I would ask.

I know this might sound like a silly complaint but everyone has their requests and preferences, right?

I don't have a budget for the Latitude and I like the specs of the Alienware 15x but I can't afford that either.

Thanks for any answers!

 

Intel Wifi cards work in XPS 16 models (see my signature). You need the half height cards (HMW). I could configure Intel 5100 or 5300 when I bought my XPS 16. In my D630 I put an Intel 5300 normal heights card in (MMW) which replaced a Broadcom card.

The drivers are included in Windows 7 or Linux and can also be downloaded from the Intel homepage.

 

Select a higher end configuration and it will have the 5300.

 

^^ second that, often more options pop up if you start the configurator with a higher config. Alternatively (i'd suggest you do that anyway) call Dell, get a rep and ask him if you can mail him the config you want and ask for a good quote There's oftene errors in the online configurator causing false incompatibility warning and missing options etc.

 

Yeah, I noticed some more options now. I'm not sure what happened.

But, while on the dell.ca site, I couldn't find any info about warranty and support depots and repair centers. I would like a laptop brand in which I could just bring the laptop.

Is there a repair or service depot in Ontario, CA, just in case? I would hope it's not needed but I know there's an Asus repair center in Markham, ON, if I had an Asus.

Are the Dell Studio series considered decent quality? I hope they're better than HP. I liked HP, for e.g., DV7, but went to a Stooples and somewhat changed my mind. I don't like how the DVD burner is right at one of the laptop's corners so it is not very rectangular. It just looks too much like a toy and not very solid.

 

You don't have to drop it off. NBD on site warranty means they'll come by your house the next business day with replacement parts

 

Hey, the options are gone again! This is what I am used to from Dell.

You go back and configure and then options have been removed or something is different. Go configure a Dell Studio 17 on the Cdn Dell site now. You can only get Dell wireless. Configure a 17 with Intel i7 cpu and there is only a Dell wifi option. The display options are not as good as with Dell Studio 15 either.

Why does Dell want to shaft Canadian customers so much?

 

Um.... no. Not a choice for for Canadians.

 

again...CALL THEM

 

I have an Intel 5100 AGN, works well and right of the box to boot. Reasonably stable and really sensitive, a decent wireless card all around.If I were you I'd see if I could dig up technical info on the Dell. Specifically you should focus on the internal antenna array, the intel has a 1x2 (receive/send) that allows up to 350 Mbps theoretical transfer but because it only has 1 receive is prone to loosing its connection from time to time. If the Dell has, say, a 3x3 array which is more common in newer or higher end wireless cards it boosts the bandwidth up to 400 Mbps and is considerably more stable for obvious reasons.Truth be told though you'll probably never utilize the 350 Mbps that the intel is limited to but the stability from a more capable array is really useful if you live in a high noise area, like me.

 

I dual boot with Linux so it an Intel wifi card is better for me. The 5300 or 5100 is fairly common and will be suppored.

The Dell wifi card is usually Broadcom and there are still support issues with that although the support is supposedly a lot better than it used to be.

It is not the priority, though, but I know I would be annoyed if I went with a Dell wifi card only to run into issues. The Intel wifi card would be a safer choice for what I want to do.

There are other requests though that is making the search extra hard! The wifi thing is nothing in comparison! :-O