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    Upgrade to Wireless N now or later?

    Discussion in 'Networking and Wireless' started by Alex45ACP, Dec 8, 2007.

  1. Alex45ACP

    Alex45ACP Notebook Consultant

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    I'm about to order a Dell Inspiron and need to decide if I'm going to order it with a Dell Wireless 1505 Wireless-N Mini-card for +$50 or stick with the Dell Wireless 1390 802.11g Mini-Card that comes with it.

    What are the pros and cons, and can the card be easily upgraded later? If so, I will probably just go with the default card and decide if this is something I want to do later on.
     
    Alex45ACP, Dec 8, 2007
    #1
  2. kegobeer

    kegobeer 1 hr late but moving fast

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    As has been posted more times than I care to count, 802.11n requires all pieces to be from the same manufacturer in order to get the full 300mbps speeds. I'd stick with the g card and buy all N equipment from the same company, like D-Link.

    No, the card can't be easily upgraded/replaced. I seriously doubt you'd ever find a laptop internal wireless card available.
     
    kegobeer, Dec 8, 2007
    #2
  3. blue68f100

    blue68f100 Notebook Virtuoso

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    It may be worth the 11n card if they wire it for 3 antenna's. or if its a dual band, which I don't think it is.
     
    blue68f100, Dec 8, 2007
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  4. Alex45ACP

    Alex45ACP Notebook Consultant

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    Thanks, I'll just stick with the default option for now.
     
    Alex45ACP, Dec 8, 2007
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  5. bigmike34

    bigmike34 Notebook Guru

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    how would you upgrade at a later date? Expresscard?
     
    bigmike34, Dec 8, 2007
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  6. ahkim123

    ahkim123 Notebook Consultant

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    kegobeer, just to confirm, if he did get the Dell with the N card, he would have to get a Dell N router to get 300mbps?

    What if you get the Intel N card that Dell offers?
     
    ahkim123, Dec 8, 2007
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  7. justanormalguy

    justanormalguy Notebook Consultant

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    What?!?!!? I've upgraded MANY laptops that were only using b for a a/b/g adapter...it's around 25-35$ for a minipci card...simple upgrade. Screw the bottom off, de-attach the 2 wires, take the card out, and put the new one in...simple...
     
    justanormalguy, Dec 8, 2007
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  8. kanehi

    kanehi Notebook Deity

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    I would go with the N. The standards are coming out next year. N is backwards compatible b/g. Yes to take advantage you need an N router. The D-Link DIR-655 Xtreme have great reviews and it's only $116 at Costco.
     
    kanehi, Dec 11, 2007
    #8