xps expansion slot..

Hi all,

This is the first laptop I bought (XPS M1710), and I am given to understand it comes with an 'expresscard' slot, which it seems noone makes expansion cards for, or at least very few people?

Im looking to get a wireless card that supports super-g wireless, do i have any options? Or should I just give up?

Cheers

Neil

 

You might have to wait a little while, since a lot of companies aren't making ExpressCard products yet. Super G or MIMO tech hasn't gone to ExpressCard yet though.

If you want to keep an eye on the technology (and new products), go to this ExpressCard website.

 

Hopefully next year we will se more products made

 

Oh right, seems a little dissapointing.. Thanks for the replies guys..

 

Could you get one that is USB?

 

Here's a 802.11g card for the expresscard slot - http://www.pacificgeek.com/product.asp?id=21683

Claims to be a Dell card too...

 

Easiest, cheapest, and most convenient way to do what you want is to replace the Dell or Intel Wifi card that came with your M1710, and get an Atheros pci-express mini card to replace it (same slot). You'll enjoy much improved reception, faster speeds, less power consumption. Look on ebay for "Atheros" and mini-pci express cards. The best right now are ones based on the AR5006 chipset. Probably cost $80 shipped.

 

I saw those cards on ebay..

Got a couple of questions about that..

1) How easy is it to swap the card out? I have built many desktops but not poked around inside a laptop yet (like i said, its my first)..

2) Does it invalidate my warranty If I change a component?

3) If the answer to 2 is yes, can I get Dell to switch the part?

Many thanks

N

 

I noticed one on eBay that uses the Mini PCI Express slot that I have in my D420, but I am curious on how much of an improvement it is over my Intel A/B/G card. I would love better range and less battery use but I haven't seen any reviews on this card. Any ideas?

 

Sod it, i bought one on ebay £40 delivered not too bad. Dell has guides on their site for replacing the cards so it cant be bad warranty-wise..

the super-g thing aside, Im sick of the seemingly poor range of the intel chip. Its happened twice now that 2 people sitting next to me have got signal and I havent, or mines been very very intermittant.. One was using a thinkpad and another.. was a toshiba something, forget what.. Anyways here is hoping it works better, and I dont break anything

Thanks for the help lancorp

 

Justsomeguy and island,

My experience with two of these cards is very positive (and I'm using the older AR5005 card, not even the newer AR5006!). You will wonder why anyone uses the Intel or Dell cards after using one of these. Not only do I now get 5 bars signal strength at home when I got 2 with Intel 3945 or Dell 1390, but I pick up all sorts of other AP's around the neighborhood!

I'm not sure why Intel and Dell (Broadcom) don't do what Atheros does, but who cares? As long as it works! And, Vista RC2 works with the cards natively (drivers are loaded after your first online update).

Installation is easy. Just follow the instructions in the service manual (online at Dell.com). Have fun!

 

Just incase anyone wondered. I got one of the cards, it was th AR5005 chipset because the 5006 isnt around in the UK.

Very easy to replace the card on my XPS M1710, unscrew 2 screws, pop off antenae, pull back some clips, pop the old card out, in with the new, put antenae on, screw cover back on, job done..

In work I used to see 2, sometimes 3 wireless networks, all of which were too weak to connect to, I now see around 8-10, most of which have a good signal.. I am quite amazed at the difference to be fair..

Oh and the super-g thing is nice too

 

Hi guys - I was wondering if you could throw out some specific model numbers for the newer cards to slot in from the atheros range - or even if there were better makes? I too think that I should be getting some connections when it's just not happening for me.

I had a look at the Atheros web site but to be honest I got lost with all of the various models they sold.

I live in the UK.

I bought this M1710 2 weeks ago.

rafiKi

 

I got mine on ebay uk, http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Atheros-SUPER-G-wireless-mini-PCI-EXPRESS-card-108Mbps_W0QQitemZ290043574025QQihZ019QQcategoryZ74954QQrdZ1QQssPageNameZWD1VQQcmdZViewItem

Seller was really good too

Range on the signal is great, however I have been having some 'memory parity error' bsod (about 4 since I bought it), which I am not sure if i should attribue to this card or not..