What wireless card?

I'm going to be a college student next year and don't know whether I should get the default Dell Wireless 1395 802.11g Mini Card or the Intel Next-Gen Wireless-N Mini-card for an extra $59. My budget is really tight because I have to spend money to buy other stuff for college so I'd rather not spend the $60 if possible.

Is the default card ok? I doubt I will use the "N" connection option.

 

You want to N, it is backwards compatible. The reason is not for the N, but because connections are much more stable with Intel Cards than Dell cards. There have been frequent occurrences where someone with using a Dell card randomly gets disconnected from the internet and they have to disable, then reenable at random times to get back online. If you do not find this annoying, then go ahead and stick with the Dell. Otherwise, I HIGHLY recommend the wireless N.

If you are on a tight budget, feel free to post your specs an I am sure that myself as well as many others on the forums would be happy to evaluate your configuration and see if anything can be knocked down for the Intel card. Intel does have a/b/g cards that were available for previous models... too bad Dell doesn't offer them.

 

Could anyone else chime in on this please?

Forte, could you please link me to the complaints on the disconnects? I can't seem to find them with the search button. Gracias.

 

Smiley, please post your configuration, your goals and expectations for the laptop. A Dependable connection is worth $60 dollars.

 

It is basically common knowledge that the Intel Card is much more reliable than the Dell card. Though they may have improved, most people opt for Intel for the sake of brand and reliability. Plus you get the Centrino Inside sticker. (Not that it really matters) It basically boils down to while some have had problems, others have not with the Dell. However with the Intel, basically almost no one has had problems with it.

If you are on a really tight budget, sure go for the Dell if you want and maybe you will be lucky. Of course the wireless card IS upgradable very easily, so you can choose to buy the intel later if you encounter any problems with the dell, though it might cost more to upgrade later on so just to be 100% safe, most people go with the Intel card. Besides, it helps futureproof your computer wireless network-wise.

If your a gamer...

http://forum.notebookreview.com/archive/index.php/t-127161.html

If your a gamer who plays World of Warcraft, I bet not.

http://forums.worldofwarcraft.com/t...A2.app01_07?topicId=6765859647&pageNo=1&sid=1

There is a perfect representation of someone getting random disconnects possibly because of change in connection settings, etc. Dell has its own code in working with wireless that is closed source, Intel has its own. Intel's have the most compatibility with the widest range of routers, software, etc.

More examples of incompatibilities with router...
http://www.dslreports.com/forum/r20339645-Issues-wDell-1395-wireless-connection-and-a-2701HGG-Router

 

Yeah go for the intel

 

I won't be playing games at all. Would the default wireless card suffice in this case or will I still get dropped connections?