• We’re currently investigating an issue related to the forum theme and styling that is impacting page layout and visual formatting. The problem has been identified, and we are actively working on a resolution. There is no impact to user data or functionality, this is strictly a front-end display issue. We’ll post an update once the fix has been deployed. Thanks for your patience while we get this sorted.

deal- 1: Sony Wireless PCCARD 802.11B $49.88 (update - now $19.99 at B&M)

This can't only be for VAIOs...can it?

Access email, the internet, or your network wirelessly! The Sony VAIO Wireless LAN (Access Point and LAN cards) lets you share files, drives, printers with one or more computers on your wireless network. Using IEEE 802.11b industry standard wireless LAN, you are assured of secure communication, high speed data tranfer rates (up to 11Mbps), and a range of up to 150 feet (line-of-sight). Compatible with all VAIO notebooks.
Uses Type II PC Card Bus slot
2.4 - 2.483 GHz Frequency Range
40-bit Data Encryption security
Weighs about 2 ounces
 
These type of wireless cards DON'T carry the same range as a good USB connected unit from SMC or D-Link. You'll get about DOUBLE the signal strength from these and a form factor of only slightly larger than the PC card--plus it's the same price as PC cards.
 
This is a great deal. The card usually goes for $149, which is probably a bit overpriced as it's a Sony. Still, $49 must be a price mistake. I drove to Burbank, CA store today and picked one up.

A range of up to 150 feet (line-of-sight) does not suck. Read reviews on any Access Point from D-Link, Linksys, Netgear, SMC or else. None of these SOHO products can work reliably any more than 100ft, if not 50ft. I believe that Sony, being as reputable as the company is, is stating the realistic max range of 802.11B in their spec instead of listing an unrealistic range like 1,000ft or so, which some other companies might do.

The card is pretty nice and of good quality as what you expect from Sony. The driver CD even came in a plastic CD case instead of a paper sleeve, which is a nice touch. 🙂

Now I just picked up a Linksys Wireless Access Point/Router/Switch from Dell for $118 after rebate hoping that those two will work well together.


 


<< These type of wireless cards DON'T carry the same range as a good USB connected unit from SMC or D-Link. You'll get about DOUBLE the signal strength from these and a form factor of only slightly larger than the PC card--plus it's the same price as PC cards. >>



...but those are external...who wants a wireless adapter hanging from their usb port when you can stick one into your PCMCIA slot?
 
Here's a link to the latest drivers: (ftp is down for today, so this'll work on 11/30)

ftp://ftp.ita.sel.sony.com/ccpg/pc/WIRELESSLAN4.EXE

Trying to figure out if there's an upgrade to 128 bit encryption or not, cause that will make a huge difference for security.

Update:
According to WPI it doesn't support 128 bit. Darn, this might make it a cold deal for me. Until the FTP goes back up, I can't read the Sony FAQs about the card to see if it's already been addressed.
 
If your looking for an a card and gateway/ap, you can get the orinoco kit for $199. Nothing is better than orinoco. Might beat paying $50 for this card and $120 or so for a gateway/ap.

Link
 


<< Sounds great!
Would this fit the Linksys Instant Wireless PCI Adapter??
Can u mix brands?
Thanks. >>


Fit? If this thread is about a wireless PCMCIA card, I think it is, then it might work for you. Hopefully that Linksys thing is nothing more than a PCMCIA controller. Have any other type of PCMCIA cards worked in that PCI adapter?
 
Ive used cisco cards in a generic pcmcia adapter before and worked no probs. This one was the kind that had an interface card and scsi ribbon cables to the adapter which sat in a 3 1/2 or 5 1/4 bay.
 
bump....i'm about to buy one....not that i have a access point but i want to see if anyone on my street does and maybe the company i used to work at.... 🙂
 
I don't know about this card in particular, but I can't stress enough how much quality difference there is between brands. I have a Linksys WPC11 card I bought for like $35 a while back from staples, card was crap, could just get to the road by my house, buggy software, SLOW transfers. I'm using it as the only client on a Linksys WAP11 Access point.
I got a Xircom card, I think the model is 3050, PC Card (it the's 128 bit encryption one made by cisco, I believe equivellent model is AirNet 340) Anyway, I probally get 500 feet out of this card. I've taken my laptop down the street 4 houses, went around a corner, and the connection finally died there. The Linksys card maybe got a distance of like 70 feet.
So....the point of this post was there can be a HUGE difference between individual cards, and I reccomend you look more at reviews than prices.
 
We bought two of these at CompUSA for $49 each. The price on the shelf was $149!!! They are indeed Orinoco cards. I am using the Orinoco drivers and even flashed them with the latest Orinico firmware. So far my co-worker and I are just playing around with the peer-to-peer stuff until we find a hot deal on an access point. So far the cards seem to be working just fine. My co-worker is using his HP Jornada 520 with CE. I have a laptop with Win98SE. The cards have an external antenna port which could be very useful later.

Good deal! Thanks Anandtech!

 
At school we have those Airport pods all over campus -

I just bought a Sony Vaio R505 SuperSlim laptop -

Will this card allow me to connect to the wireless Airport network?
 
At my college we used to use ORINOCCO stuff, but recently bought some CISCO wireless cards. Just from the build, i must say that the cisco PCMCIA cards are built MUCH MUCH better. Range wise the CISCO is a little better but not much. Down fall is that it does not have an external antenna jack like the Orinocco cards.

Anyhow, i'm interested in the USB ones for my desktop at my house. Seems like a cheaper solution and more powerful. Also, to those who are thinking about stealing your neighbors connection (PUNKS!!!!). I was thinking about sharing my connection with my neighbor and share the cable connection costs also. But I'LL MAKE SURE no one else can tap in. I know my school does this by using the mac address and only authorizing each card at a time 🙂

We NEED some better deals on the wireless cards. I have 5 PC's 🙁
Thanks
 
Well, I just went to the Bloomington MN store, because the web site said they had some in stock. The worker bee went in back and looked around in various places for about a half hour. I made the mistake of showing him the printout with the "In-Stock" on it, which also unfortunately had the price listed on it. My wife and I watched him talk to a manager, and then he came back and told us that they "had five, no wait, four in back, in the Returned - Defective section" and that they "wouldn't be getting any more in stock". Grr. I even asked if he'd sell me one of the "defective" ones and he said no.

I've had terrible experiences with CompUSA ever since they opened stores in Minneapolis, so I guess I'm really not surprised. Congrats to those who did get the cards though, that is a great deal.



 
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Back
Top