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    Which wireless card should I pick?

    Discussion in 'Dell' started by Fitter Happier, Apr 28, 2009.

  1. Fitter Happier

    Fitter Happier Notebook Guru

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    Just looking at the Studio 17 laptops and I'm just wondering what the differences are between the wireless cards are?

    The three I can select are:
    Dell Wireless 1510 Half Mini Card (802.11n) add £0.00
    Intel WiFi Link 5300 Half Mini Card (802.11 a/g/n) (Centrino) [add £20.00]
    Intel WiFi Link 5100 (802.11 a/b/g/n 1X2) 1/2 MiniCard [Included in Price]

    Any significant changes or should I just keep to the 5100?
     
    Fitter Happier, Apr 28, 2009
    #1
  2. idq000

    idq000 Notebook Deity

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    The Dell Wireless 1510 is a Broadcom-based wifi card. The Intel WiFi Link 5100 has two connectors, and the 5300 has three connectors, but not all laptops utilize all three connectors. The 5300, if all of the connectors are utilized, is suppsed to provide better reception and data throughput than the 5100. I think the 5100 is a 1x2 antenna array while the 5300 has a 1x3 antenna array. I doubt you will notice any difference between any of them really.
     
    idq000, Apr 28, 2009
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  3. Commander Wolf

    Commander Wolf can i haz broadwell?

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    In general, I've heard there are significant reception gains by upgrading from the 1510 to the 5100, but not from the 5100 to the 5300. Especially if the 1510 and the 5100 are the same price, there's no reason not to go with the 5100.
     
    Commander Wolf, Apr 28, 2009
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  4. Fitter Happier

    Fitter Happier Notebook Guru

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    Alright, I'll stick with the 5100.

    I've got a second question though: At the moment, there is a special offer reducing the amount of the Laptops by a nice amount. However, it ends tomorrows and it looks like my attempts to raise money in time will not be achieved. How long will it take untill another special offers comes or alternatively new models introduced?
     
    Fitter Happier, Apr 28, 2009
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