I want to add integrated wireless in my notebook:

[UbiSunt]

I have a supercheap laptop that I got as a gift that does not have integrated wireless. However, the case is built around supporting integrated wireless; as my brother-in-law's HP equivalent laptop proves.

-Anyway if I was going to upgrade:

1. Is integrated wireless an affordable possibility?
2. What mini-pci chip would I get?
3. How would I install it? Does this laptop have the antennae leads?

Any input would be extremely helpful.

 

[WobbleWobble]

Yes, it's afforable.

1) - If the laptop has a switch to enable/disable wireless then you most likely have built-in antennas
- Unscrew the little plate(s) on the bottom of your laptop and look for a empty mini-PCI slot. It's likely that there are two antennas wires (one black, one white) taped down in that area. If not, then it's likely you don't have integrated antennas.
2) Intel 2200BG (used in Centrino systems)
3) Slide it in, connect the two antenna leads. From what I've been told, it doesn't matter which connector hooks up to which lead.

 

[UbiSunt]

Thanks

 

[cheesehead]

Broadcom wi-fi cards are not bad either. However, for the price of a decent internal card, you could get an orinoco gold card for 802.11b/g, which has a 7dB antenna that is twice as powerful as the one in your laptop, and supports external antennas such as soupcan antennas ("waveguides") which can give you a signal from over a thousand feet away. I've seen them in action (they're the only wifi card with an external connector) and am going to purchase one as soon as I find one on sale; they normally run about 50-60$ (about the same as an Intel 2200 B/G internal wi-fi card.)