Buying new Dell Laptop, need help with WIRELESS CARD...
Dec 16, 2006, 7:51 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2004
Posts: 171
Buying new Dell Laptop, need help with WIRELESS CARD...
OK I am about to buy a Dell 640m.
I use wireless all the time, all over the cities I visit.
Someone told me that if I get the "Dell Draft N Internal Wireless" which will be able to read the new N signal, it will actually pull wireless G signals from a greater range.
For example, just as a new laptop is better at pulling signals and a bit faster on speed, so too will this one, even when pulling B or G.
Therefore, if I pay the extra $50 for this wireless card, my laptop will receive MORE of the available signals when I am in a park, etc and also will pull them better, allowing for better surfing.
Is this accurate? Have I explained myself clearly
??
Thanks for any help!!
I use wireless all the time, all over the cities I visit.
Someone told me that if I get the "Dell Draft N Internal Wireless" which will be able to read the new N signal, it will actually pull wireless G signals from a greater range.
For example, just as a new laptop is better at pulling signals and a bit faster on speed, so too will this one, even when pulling B or G.
Therefore, if I pay the extra $50 for this wireless card, my laptop will receive MORE of the available signals when I am in a park, etc and also will pull them better, allowing for better surfing.
Is this accurate? Have I explained myself clearly
??Thanks for any help!!
Dec 16, 2006, 8:02 pm
#6
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2000
Location: أمريكا
Posts: 26,761
If you plan to have the laptop for a while, I'd say that you might as well get the n adapter so that you can use n when the standard is finished and it becomes popular.
Dec 16, 2006, 8:23 pm
#7
Join Date: Dec 2001
Posts: 1,617
If you want to pick up more WiFi signals from longer distances, then a unit with an external antenna and output power of 200 mW is the way to do it. While my laptop has a pretty good built-in WiFi and built-in antenna, for hard to pick up signals I switch over to an EnGenius 200mW unit with an external antenna that connects to my system via a USB cable. The entire setup weighs just over an ounce and fits in the palm of your hand. It also has the advantage that you can simply place the antenna where needed instead of having to stand in the window of your hotel room holding your laptop in just the right position to get a connection while feeling like a total dork ...
Dec 17, 2006, 6:34 pm
#8
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: SFO / Hawaii / Northern MN
Programs: Catered by me instead of FBO (semi retired)
Posts: 921
I have a draft N Linksys adapter and router as well as a stock Dell E1505 with the Intel abg wireless card in it. Running tests on both seems to confirm that when the router is in G-only mode meaning no N at all = worse performance on my Linksys-N card with my old P3. Is it worth the 50 extra? I doubt it because the standard probably will change, and its doubtful your card will be compatible anyway.
Dec 18, 2006, 10:35 am
#9
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Atlántida, Canelones, Uruguay (MVD) and rarely GNV
Programs: AV LifeMiles, CM ConnectMiles, BA Exec Club. Former:ex-ASGold, ex-UA1K, ex-COPlat, ex-NWGold.
Posts: 2,673
DorianGray - you mentioned you heard n picks up a/b/g better.
Please note - N won't pick up or use A at all. A is at 5.8MHz. B,G,N are all at 2.4MHz. A only works with A, though there are multi-mode wireless adaptors, access points, etc. Otherwise A is a bit of a near-obsolete technology since it never got wide adoption.
Please note - N won't pick up or use A at all. A is at 5.8MHz. B,G,N are all at 2.4MHz. A only works with A, though there are multi-mode wireless adaptors, access points, etc. Otherwise A is a bit of a near-obsolete technology since it never got wide adoption.
Dec 18, 2006, 11:51 am
#10
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 1999
Location: Bryn Mawr PA & Wailea HI
Posts: 15,726
Walt Mossberg of www.wsj.com tested some n cards and some n routers. He sez:
.........My unimpressive draft-N experience is confirmed by several, more extensive tests done by some magazines and Web sites, which showed the draft-N gear to be no big deal. There are two other problems with the draft-N systems. The manufacturers aren't promising to upgrade them to the final N standard when it emerges. And buying them will get more complicated in the coming months, because they will be offered in a range of speeds and even in two different frequencies. I can't recommend the draft-N equipment over the previous round of MIMO-equipped routers............ story
MisterNice
.........My unimpressive draft-N experience is confirmed by several, more extensive tests done by some magazines and Web sites, which showed the draft-N gear to be no big deal. There are two other problems with the draft-N systems. The manufacturers aren't promising to upgrade them to the final N standard when it emerges. And buying them will get more complicated in the coming months, because they will be offered in a range of speeds and even in two different frequencies. I can't recommend the draft-N equipment over the previous round of MIMO-equipped routers............ story
MisterNice