Why does Wi-Fi appear to only be on Z87 ATX and Mini ITX form factor motherboards?

[Jumpem]

It seems strange that it is not included on any Micro ATX motherboards as well.

I could keep using the external USB Wi-Fi adapter that I have now. Does it really make any difference?

 

[TerryMathews]

It seems strange that it is not included on any Micro ATX motherboards as well.

I could keep using the external USB Wi-Fi adapter that I have now. Does it really make any difference?

My guess would be PCB space - keep in mind a lot of the "open" space you see contains traces.

Matx boards still bring all the PCIe lanes out for SLI etc. Most ITX boards dont bother.

 

[Meghan54]

My guess would be PCB space - keep in mind a lot of the "open" space you see contains traces.

That's what I'd think. It's not like a mITX board has a wealth of open slots to stick a wireless card into it. And I've always hated the USB wireless adapter performance.

 

[Jumpem]

That's what I'd think. It's not like a mITX board has a wealth of open slots to stick a wireless card into it. And I've always hated the USB wireless adapter performance.

You think the onboard Wi-Fi of an Asus Z87 motherboard would be superior to a USB Wi-Fi adapter? If so, I would have to stick with a full size ATX build. It just seems so silly having a huge ATX case for just a single graphics card and sound card.

 

[McLovin42]

Pretty much all the quality mATX boards have the ability to a add a mini pci express wifi card(laptop wireless card). Most though just don't include it due to added cost. Which is fine, allowing you to pick up your own.

 

[AznAnarchy99]

That's what I'd think. It's not like a mITX board has a wealth of open slots to stick a wireless card into it. And I've always hated the USB wireless adapter performance.

USB adapter performance has been way better than internal (personal experience)

 

[Biggu]

Honestly I think they do it because of the size of the board they figure most users will probably put them in remote locations where its easier to get wireless to it than wiring.

 

[Charlie98]

USB adapter performance has been way better than internal (personal experience)

Mine as well.

It seems strange that it is not included on any Micro ATX motherboards as well.

I think the idea of a very small mobo form lends itself to included wifi... why waste the often single PCIe slot on wireless, and why have some clunky external antenna on what is supposed to be a compact form?

mATX is usually big enough to have more PCIe slots... easily handling a GPU, a wifi card, and maybe another accessory or 2.

Newer (Haswell) boards I/O panel seemed to be stuffed with USB/video/audio ports... there isn't room for a wifi hookup!