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    How to get bluetooth on a barebones?

    Discussion in 'Hardware Components and Aftermarket Upgrades' started by spud8, Feb 20, 2006.

  1. spud8

    spud8 Notebook Consultant

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    I am going to be purchasing a barebones Clevo M560A... I will be buying an Intel PRO Wireless 2915ABG card for it. What do I need to do to get bluetooth on it as well? Is there an intel PRO 2915 with integrated bluetooth, or is it a separate mini PCI slot?
     
    spud8, Feb 20, 2006
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  2. qwester

    qwester Notebook Virtuoso

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    No intel Mini PCIs with B.T. But there are other brands.
    You cannot install 2 Mini PCI cards at once. All notebooks have one slot only.

    So if you want to stick with intel Wifi your only options are pcmcia or USB adapter B.T. Pcmcia are a bit more expensive and I never found any that supports anything other than BT v1.1. USB (majority) support v1.1, 1.2, and some 2.0

    You would want v1.2 if you will be using it around Wifi 802.11 b/g to avoid interference.
     
    qwester, Feb 20, 2006
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  3. spud8

    spud8 Notebook Consultant

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    But then how do OEMs install bluetooth and wifi internally if theres only one PCI slot?
     
    spud8, Feb 20, 2006
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  4. tullnd

    tullnd Notebook Evangelist

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    Well...it's a Mini-PCI...not regular PCI slot. They get both by not using an Intel card. Some other brands have Wi-Fi and BT on the same board...just not Intel.
     
    tullnd, Feb 20, 2006
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  5. AlphaQuad1

    AlphaQuad1 Notebook Enthusiast

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    some oems connect the bluetooth module directly to an internal usb header. So basically if you buy an external BT USB dongle you'd be getting the same thing, except that its connected to an external USB port of course.
     
    AlphaQuad1, Feb 20, 2006
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  6. spud8

    spud8 Notebook Consultant

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    Yep, clevo website says it's a USB interface... so is there a way I'd be able to buy an OEM internal USB bluetooth module and install it myself, or should I just have it put in by whoever I'm buying the computer from?
     
    spud8, Feb 20, 2006
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  7. ikovac

    ikovac Cooler and faster... NBR Reviewer

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    Hi spud8 and others,

    Clevo is probably built on the Uniwill platform, and has the special USB interface for a small USB BT dongle hidden inside the case. Check my review in the signature, for Uniwill 259EA1 barebone notebook. Maybe that is what were you searching for.

    Cheers,
     
    ikovac, Feb 21, 2006
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