pcmcia vs usb (vs mini-pci) wireless adapters

[rainypickles]

in general, which kind of wireless adapter will get the best performance?

my sister has a laptop for which i bought a cheap (airlink) pcmcia wireless card. reception seems pretty poor with my netgear mr814 router. i've tried a microsoft usb adapter and that worked fine. the usb adapter definitely functions in more parts of the house than the airlink.

will usb adapters always out perform pcmcia adapters? or does it depend on brand and such?

and i am assuming that mini-pci provides the best performance overall? is that right?

if there is a page that discusses this, send it my way, thank you.

 

[high]

pcmcia

 

[JackMDS]

When it comes to Entry Level Wireless Clients almost all of them are based on PCMCIA cards.

The so called USB is PCMCIA card connected under the plastic to a USB interface.

The so called PCI is PCMCIA plugged or soldered to PCI interface board.

Since the PCI and the USB are PCMCIA with additional interface circuitry and different buses the performance resultant is some what less (about 5%-10%) than pure PCMCIA.

What shell I use?

For Laptop the regular PCMCIA is the best solution,

For Desktop (or tower case) USB Wireless Client Card should be considered as the preferred solution.

Why?

Wireless is depending on signal propagation.

PCI Wireless Client Card ends up been stuck behind the computer's case, resultant in obstructed transmission and poor performance. USB is connected to the Port with 2-3' cable allowing the Antenna to be placed above the System for better Transmission.

However a PCI card is a good choice when a powerful external Antenna is needed for long distance. Many Wireless PCI cards come with a removable Antenna.

:sun: