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    DM4 with Realtek 8188GN

    Discussion in 'HP' started by Smooth_J, Nov 26, 2011.

  1. Smooth_J

    Smooth_J Notebook Deity

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    I just picked up this laptop (DM4-2191US) yesterday during the Black Friday sales. However one issue that bothers me is the wireless.

    I only hit 72mbps on my even though my router, airport extreme, can do way better.

    I saw the post back in 2010 about this, but apparently it hasn't been resolved :(

    Just out of curiosity, I tried to put in another wireless card, however I get that wireless error on boot. So it looks like they still have a whitelist... :(

    What wireless card does everyone recommend to get the best out of the wireless?
     
    Smooth_J, Nov 26, 2011
    #1
  2. PinoyBoy

    PinoyBoy Notebook Consultant

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    I too bought the 2191us from staples yesterday, but the one that came with mine is:
    - Realtek Wireless LAN Driver RTL8188CE (taken from device manager)

    Weird how yours got a different model.
     
    PinoyBoy, Nov 26, 2011
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  3. Smooth_J

    Smooth_J Notebook Deity

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    You are correct, its RTL8188CE :/ Are you getting the same issue?
     
    Smooth_J, Nov 26, 2011
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  4. zuvieltext

    zuvieltext Notebook Geek

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    Well, the RTL8188CE is a cheap thing. It has only a 2,4 GHz radio and just one 1 tx and 1 rx chain. Therefore you are physically limited to 72.2 Mbit/s PHY speed anyway since AFAIK airports AP only do HT20 on the 2.4 GHz band. If you want more, you'll have to replace that card [preferably with a dualband 2x2 card or better]. Get the Service and Maintenance Guide for your laptop and take a look what options you got.
     
    zuvieltext, Nov 27, 2011
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  5. PinoyBoy

    PinoyBoy Notebook Consultant

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    Sorry to get back at you late.

    [​IMG]

    Mine is ALOT slower than my other DM4. I'm actually returning this laptop today, totally unsatisfied with it. I'll just stick to my old DM4 1060us
     
    PinoyBoy, Dec 2, 2011
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  6. Smooth_J

    Smooth_J Notebook Deity

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    This is what I get with my wireless - I get a bit more with wired, but this is over the internet so I am limited by my ISP.

    [​IMG]

    Also, this is what I get on a wired connection:

    [​IMG]
     
    Smooth_J, Dec 2, 2011
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  7. ciper

    ciper Notebook Enthusiast

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    Why not get a better access point that can do 40mhz channel bonding?
     
    ciper, Dec 2, 2011
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  8. Smooth_J

    Smooth_J Notebook Deity

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    Its possible, however I already have a airport extreme (pretty much default settings besides WPA2 and 5GHz band SSID) and I had no issues reaching 300 Mbps with a Intel 6300 card.

    So far I had to change a number things on the DM4 and the router just to get it to 72 Mbps. 150 Mbps feels like a pipe dream at the moment.
     
    Smooth_J, Dec 3, 2011
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  9. Smooth_J

    Smooth_J Notebook Deity

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    Well...this is the last day to take it back and I'm taking it back. I don't mind the lower speeds, but there are a few more things that bug me about this laptop. Guess its back to the Dell E series for now...
     
    Smooth_J, Dec 9, 2011
    #9