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    M1330 with wifi detector ?

    Discussion in 'Dell' started by jkanzaki, Jul 8, 2007.

  1. jkanzaki

    jkanzaki Notebook Consultant

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    Hi
    I saw the reivew on one of the site they said that onthe bottom of the m1330 theres a wifi detector is that true?

    thanks
     
    jkanzaki, Jul 8, 2007
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  2. CodeMonkeyX

    CodeMonkeyX Notebook Deity

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    Yah. I am not sure exactly how it operates. But it meant to allow you to find wifi signals without powering your laptop.
     
    CodeMonkeyX, Jul 8, 2007
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  3. Znender

    Znender Notebook Evangelist

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    According to the video preview of the m1330 on Direct2Dell.com:
    http://direct2dell.com/one2one/archive/2007/06/26/19139.aspx

    It does show that the Dell XPS m1330 have a Wireless Wifi Catcher.
    I believe it's merely to determine if there is a wifi signal around the area. That way you would find out if there's wifi without turning on your notebook.
     
    Znender, Jul 8, 2007
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  4. Nalada

    Nalada Notebook Evangelist

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    It is not that useful to me because my Nokia N80i shows when I am in range of Wi-Fi and I can also bring out my Clie TH55 and scan for networks.

    What might be more interesting is if it is more configurable - e.g. I think the Nokia will show me if Wi-Fi is present but it may be protected by WEP or somesuch. I think the Dell Wi-Fi catcher can be changed to modify the signal level it detects etc.

    The other thing I wonder is how much power drain it results in - I am sure it is very small...but it might be significant if you leave your laptop unused for a couple of months.
     
    Nalada, Jul 8, 2007
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  5. Znender

    Znender Notebook Evangelist

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    I also wondered about the power draining effect of it.

    Shouldn't the wifi catcher be somewhat manually turned on? Like you have the option of turning it on, when you want to know if wifi is available, and then turn it off if u don't need to know.

    *Shrug* I personally wouldn't keep it on 24/7. The thought of power draining frightens me :D.
     
    Znender, Jul 8, 2007
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  6. derviskemal

    derviskemal Notebook Consultant

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    yep it does have the detector, u just flip the switch even while the laptop is off and a light will appear if a hotspot is detected, i dont think it takes too much battery as the light is a little LED...
     
    derviskemal, Jul 8, 2007
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  7. revoletion

    revoletion Notebook Consultant

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    it might drain alot of battery if you leave it on. but i think its a little button on the side of the notebook that you press and keep pressed and then it tries to find a wifi spot.

    i hope theres a way to configure it.
     
    revoletion, Jul 8, 2007
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