dv5t wifi performance

Has anyone had a chance to check out wifi on their dv5t? The reason
I ask is because I found that Hp is using the cheaper Intel card(5100),
which works with three antennas. The superior Intel 5300 works with
six antennas, is faster, and has better range and throughput.

So, for anyone who owns the dv5t, what are your wifi impressions?

Rob

 

Testing out the floor model at my work, it seems the 5300 series Intel card isn't that bad. It picks up WiFi from across the store, and has fairly good strength.

Overall, it's an alright card. At least, the unit I tested. Could vary, as we've seen on some models.

 

Thanks, JM. Are you talking about a dv5t you have at your store? If so,
that unit uses the cheaper 5100 card. If it performs well, that's all that
matters.

What's the longest distance you've used to test wifi strength?

Rob

 

The Intel 4965 outperforms the 5100 series. The 5300 series marginally outperforms the 4965.

 

Yes, that's what I read, also. I know the 4965 uses more antennas(5)
than the 5100(3), and the 5300 uses six. The price difference to the manufacturer is only $10, so I'm surprised Hp went with the cheaper card.

Rob

 

If there is such a small disparity in price, I'm surprised Intel is wasting time with the 5100. Why bother making a piece o' crap component?

 

Yeah, I wish they didn't even make the cheaper card. For me, wifi is
important, so I may end up with the older dv6700t, just so I can get
the Intel 4965.

Rob

 

Where are you getting the antenna counts from?

Last time i checked it was only 3 for the 4956AGN.

 

>>If there is such a small disparity in price, I'm surprised Intel is wasting time with the 5100. Why bother making a piece o' crap component?<<

In the world of relatively low margin computers, a component with a $10 is a big deal.

 

I can't retrieve the data, now, since I'm at work. While researching
last night, I saw charts showing the transmit/receive antenna counts
for the 4965/5100/5300. The 4965 was 5, the 5100 was 3, and the
5300 was 6. I'll see if I can dig up the chart tonight, after I get home.

Rob

 

At Anandtech, there is a table that shows the antenna counts for the three adapters. It shows that the 5300 has 3 transmit and 3 receive; the 5100 has 1 transmit, 2 receive; and the 4965 has 2 transmit and 3 receive.

My guess is that the transmit and receive antennas are shared in some fashion. I don't think they are all discrete antennas.

 

Yes, that's the chart I was looking at last night. I know if I buy a
Sager/Clevo, I'll get the 5300AGN, but I'm not ready to spend $2000,
yet, for a laptop(and, that's for the low end of the model line).

Rob

 

What about the Sager NP2096? You can configure one of those for less than $1400 and get a decent build. And it includes the Intel Wi-Fi Link 5300AGN.

 

Interesting that you mention the 2096; it's one of the models I've
been considering. I believe it's based on the Compal JHL90, which
is fine laptop. At $1400, it *is* configured with top-flight components.

Rob

 

Just an FYI, last Saturday I picked up a dv5-1015nr which has an Broadcom 4321 AG adapter.

Haven't had a chance to join a wireless domain yet though since my home network is all wired...guess I will have to suck it up and go to Starbucks...

 

physically, 4965 has 3 antennas - i can confirm this since i replace my 3945 card with 4965 card on my dell inspiron sometime back.


BTW, the antennas are not built into the card. Only connectors are available on the card. The laptop should have the antennas in them. So if a card has 5 connectors, the laptop should have 5 antennas in it. This may be the reason why hp offers 5100 and not 5300 (!!!maybe!!!)

 

Please keep us apprised regarding your wifi experience. Is this the standard,
default 802.11b/g WLAN card? I guess it isn't, since you say yours is AG.

Rob