laptop network cards vs Desktop network cards

do Laptop network cards get a better range vs Desktop ?

I just bought an asus desktop, it has a wireless network card installed, and when I search for a connection I get nothing. I tried moving it around and putting it in the exact same spot where my laptop is and it doesnt pick up any wireless connection. my laptop is almost 3 years old and this asus desktop is brand new. I turned my cell phone into a hotspot and that is the only thing the desktop picks up. it only gets 3 bars to when its right beside it. I live in a complex and the rest of my wireless stuff in my room, like my laptop, xbox 360, printer, they pick up numerous wireless connections. and Like I said I tried moving the desktop around cause sometimes I dont get the best reception with my laptop. but the tower doesnt pick up any wireless networks other than my phone. and my router is downstairs. I tried disabling the network adapter and troubleshooting and it did nothing.




I know this might be more of a desktop question and belongs in the desktop forum. already signed up, but for some reason I dont have permission to post so I thought id post it here.

 

Did you physically move your desktop around 360 degrees (say, about 5 degrees at a time...)?

The cards don't make a difference (desktop vs. notebook) the antenna does.

Either make/get an antenna with a long lead so you can place it as far as possible from the desktop's chassis or get a 'range boosting' antenna (again; with leads as long as possible...) to upgrade the built-in antenna's subpar performance.

Hope this helps.

Good luck.

 

I turned it around about 180. couldnt do 360 for the cable length. but either way it shouldnt be getting that poor of a connection. I usually pick up atleast 6 different wireless connections right on this spot. the tower picks up nothing except for my droid. and its right beside it and it only gets 3 bars. my laptop gets 5 bars when i connect to the droid.

I already boxed it up. im going to take it back. I even tried downloading newer drivers from my laptop. saved them to usb and installed in the desktop and did nothing.

 

Again: Antenna. Drivers were not the problem here.

Almost all notebooks today have the antennae wired around the screen (best place possible) - whereas the desktop you returned probably had a little 4" antenna blocked by the same steel tower it was installed on.

I agree with you returning it and it does sound like it was more than just the poor choice of antenna on the manufacturer's part.

 

Agreed that it sounds like the antenna. Where is the wireless card mounted in the desktop, and does it have an antenna at all?

 

There is no difference, they use the same wireless chipsets. The only difference is going to be the antenna and its placement. But you can still have a good card in your laptop, and a crappy card in your desktop.

 

The chipset have alot to do with reception as well. They may be made under same specification, but their performance varies.

 

ok I got the antenna swapped and it picks up more wireless signals now. the only problem now is, I have to have the back of the desktop facing me where the antenna is to even get a 3 bar reception. my uverse box is downstairs in another room and its not right underneath my floor. if I put the front of the tower facing me I only get 2 bars. should I go for a better antenna or get a wireless usb stick since the front of the tower has usb ports. that might be the best rout since the back of the tower faces north and my uverse box is southwest

 

Get a new antenna, one that stand up by itself and has a cord that goes from the computer to the antenna.

 

The only 'better' antenna you need is one with a long lead (at least a meter...) so that it can be placed optimally for best reception while giving you the option of also placing the desktop case optimally too.