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    Mini Card options

    Discussion in 'Networking and Wireless' started by shftup, May 6, 2009.

  1. shftup

    shftup Notebook Enthusiast

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    I recently got an open minipc which as 2 available mini card slots. I would like to get a wifi and bluetooth card.

    I was thinking an intel 5100 card, but can someone point out a good bluetooth card that will fit. My router is a D-Link 655.

    http://usa.aopen.com/products_detail.aspx?Auno=2878

    Chipset is GM45 + ICH9m with socket P proc.

    Or, can I get both on one card?

    Thanks
    S
     
    shftup, May 6, 2009
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  2. aidil

    aidil Notebook Evangelist

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    The specification on that page does not describe exactly what kind of mini card slots it has. The short movie seems to show the slots are mini PCI expresses (but I could be wrong). Maybe you could post clearer photos of them.

    If they are mini PCI express slots, then it's easy to find the WiFi and bluetooth cards, especially from eBay. For WiFi, Intel WiFi Link 5100 is a good choice, but 5300 would be better. For bluetooth, you could buy Dell 370 card. And also you might have to install the antennas for these cards.
     
    aidil, May 6, 2009
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  3. shftup

    shftup Notebook Enthusiast

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    I have verified its a mini PCI express (2 slots are open)

    so, should I get the combo pci-e wifi with draft N and bluetooth - these are from overseas - so its tough to gauge performance of the wifi card without a lot of digging.

    or get two cards?


    thanks
    S
     
    shftup, May 6, 2009
    #3
  4. i.like.pie

    i.like.pie Notebook Consultant

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    Yes, I also recommend the 5300 for wifi.
     
    i.like.pie, May 6, 2009
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  5. aidil

    aidil Notebook Evangelist

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    I've never seen bluetooth and wifi combo mini PCI-E card before, so it should be two cards. The only combo cards with wireless N that I know are with WiMAX (Intel WiMAX/WiFi Link 5050, 5150, and 5350).
     
    aidil, May 7, 2009
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  6. newsposter

    newsposter Notebook Virtuoso

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    I have a spare 802.11a/b/g card that is ALSO a Bt 2.1 EDR card. A SINGLE half-length mini PCIe card. The one I have in an old Gateway is working just fine.

    The spare card is for sale too. With drivers..............
     
    newsposter, May 7, 2009
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  7. __-_-_-__

    __-_-_-__ God

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    you need U.FL antennas to connect to the wifi card. there are also U.FL to SMA, MMCX etc adapters. search in ebay.
     
    __-_-_-__, May 7, 2009
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  8. shftup

    shftup Notebook Enthusiast

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    Ok. so I found out that this PC has bluetooth already, verified from here:
    http://www.cappuccinopc.com/pandora-mp45-bdr.asp

    so, I guess I need an Intel 5300 mini card (this needs to be a single half-length mini PCIe card) and an antenna? Can you I use the mini card without the attenna?
     
    shftup, May 7, 2009
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  9. aidil

    aidil Notebook Evangelist

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    You won't get radio signal without the antennas.

    About half-length or full-length mini PCI-e card, it depends on the position of the screw holes, unless you want to tape it to the mainboard.
     
    aidil, May 8, 2009
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  10. wlan_man

    wlan_man Notebook Consultant

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    Have a look here for cards and antenna's
     
    wlan_man, May 9, 2009
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  11. sparkyman2000

    sparkyman2000 Notebook Consultant

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    Intel 5350 is a little new with bluetooth but I have the 5300 works awesome. I have 430Mbps with a very expensive router. The 5350 is being put into the newer netbooks.

    http://www.google.com/products/cata...i&cid=8067108612573719732&sa=title#ps-sellers
     
    sparkyman2000, May 9, 2009
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  12. aidil

    aidil Notebook Evangelist

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    What do you mean by "5350 is a little new with bluetooth"? I was saying that 5350 is a combo of WiFi and WiMAX.
     
    aidil, May 9, 2009
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