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    Wireless Broadband Cards

    Discussion in 'Hardware Components and Aftermarket Upgrades' started by Duran, Sep 12, 2007.

  1. Duran

    Duran Notebook Consultant

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    Hi guys how ya doing tonight?

    Anyways to the point. I have a Sprint Expresscard for my Dell XPS M1330 to be mobile...however when I run NHC I see that my battery is being sucked away due to the expresscard being in.....I'm wondering does the USB version suck less battery life? I would like the most battery life :)
     
    Duran, Sep 12, 2007
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  2. frazell

    frazell Notebook Deity

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    The best way to conserv battery power would probably be to turn it off when not in use... I'm sure it would drain roughly the same amount of power in either case... If not the USB version, if it got less current, would be weaker...
     
    frazell, Sep 12, 2007
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  3. Duran

    Duran Notebook Consultant

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    Duran, Sep 12, 2007
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  4. powerpack

    powerpack Notebook Prophet

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    I went to Sprint both your Card and the USB I checked say this.

    Advance Power Management: Operating voltage of 3.3V for optimal laptop performance and reduced battery drain.

    Same Voltage on both so I suspect similar power drain. My PanTech PCMCIA is listed in Device manager among other places in the USB HUB.
     
    powerpack, Sep 12, 2007
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  5. frazell

    frazell Notebook Deity

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    That article states nothing that isn't commonly understood... Wireless drains more battery than cell related technologies due to its archetecture. A WiFi device is always sending or recieving at full power; whereas, a cell network based wireless device can sit in an "idle" state and only have to activate the radio when data is actually coming in or going out...
     
    frazell, Sep 12, 2007
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  6. Duran

    Duran Notebook Consultant

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    well my understanding is I'd like to find out if Expresscards vs the USB version is better for battery life :)
     
    Duran, Sep 12, 2007
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  7. powerpack

    powerpack Notebook Prophet

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    They both list this.

    Advance Power Management: Operating voltage of 3.3V for optimal laptop performance and reduced battery drain.

    Now with that said I am thinking your question is becoming similar to this, "which holds more a 16oz glass bottle or a 16 oz plastic bottle". ;)

    They hold the same, and your card and the USB use the same. :cool:
     
    powerpack, Sep 12, 2007
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  8. surfasb

    surfasb Titles Shmm-itles

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    It's likely the both use the same amount of power. The technology in them is the same with just being how they connect to your computer being different. Like a mouse. PS/2 or usb? they are still mice.
     
    surfasb, Sep 12, 2007
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  9. Duran

    Duran Notebook Consultant

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    when I looked up the Sierra Wireless 597e it didn't show it had 3.3v but for the Novatel EX720 it did.
     
    Duran, Sep 12, 2007
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  10. powerpack

    powerpack Notebook Prophet

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    Here is a Link. It is 3.3v, I am only doing all this leg work for you because of the US Army thing LT.
     
    powerpack, Sep 12, 2007
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  11. Duran

    Duran Notebook Consultant

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    oh ok thanks :)
     
    Duran, Sep 12, 2007
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