Why WIFI on a motherboard?

[Upgr8er]

I've spent the last two days here trying to get caught up on the best MB choice but even after multiple searches, I can't find anyone discussing the use/need for wi-fi on a motherboard.

Aside from maybe being able to connect to your wireless router without a cable (if it even does that?), what potential uses would this have?

Is it 802.11 technology? Bluetooth? Both? Can I link to my cell with it?

Thanks!

 

[masteraleph]

Originally posted by: Upgr8er

Aside from maybe being able to connect to your wireless router without a cable (if it even does that?), what potential uses would this have?

That's exactly the reason. It means that you won't need an add-in wifi card, the same as integrating NICs meant you didn't need a separate card for ethernet.. Other than that, it has no particular uses.

 

[erwos]

Bluetooth 2.0 or 2.1 would seem handy, if only for phone synchronization and wireless headsets.

I'm having a lot more difficulty understanding why integrating WiFi onto mobos aimed at enthusiasts makes any sense. The kind of latency that WiFi introduces is unacceptable for even semi-serious gamers.

 

[SerpentRoyal]

Same with 100% solid caps and heat pipe cooling. A well-designed P35 board should not require heat pipe solution, even at 500MHz FSB. Quality Japanese electrolytic caps should last at least 7 years. I refuse to pay more $ for add-ons that don't do squat to improve performance.

 

[cmdrdredd]

You could use it as an access point. Basically you don't need a router, setup the wireless as an access point and share your internet connection with others via wireless. Useful for ppl wanting to use a laptop with no plug near their immediate location such as a second bedroom.

 

[SerpentRoyal]

The Abit Air Pace (FREE after rebate two weeks ago) works well in an open PCI-E slot. Also has access point mode.

 

[Heidfirst]

Originally posted by: erwos
The kind of latency that WiFi introduces is unacceptable for even semi-serious gamers.

not everybody plays games & even of those that do not everybody plays online.

 

[erwos]

Originally posted by: Heidfirst

Originally posted by: erwos
The kind of latency that WiFi introduces is unacceptable for even semi-serious gamers.

not everybody plays games & even of those that do not everybody plays online.

Yes, and those same motherboards are targeted towards gamers.

 

[Heidfirst]

are they?
I wouldn't say that they specifically are.

 

[tcsenter]

Since compatibility or interoperability continues to be a problem with PCI WLAN cards, I suppose that is a reason to buy a motherboard with WLAN adapter built-in. Except that ASUS has used pretty much every WLAN chip on the market, depending on the revision of the WLAN adapter you receive with your board (Broadcom, Realtek, Atheros, Marvell, et. al.).

 

[erwos]

Originally posted by: Heidfirst
are they?
I wouldn't say that they specifically are.

Which other market segment is buying these $200 motherboards?

 

[Cutthroat]

WIFI is not necessarily the selling point for the board either. I have a P5K Deluxe with WIFI, but that`s not why I bought it, I don`t even have it enabled in the BIOS. Compared to the P5K vanilla there is lots of other features that sold me on this board instead of the cheaper P5K vanilla, such as a better onboard sound solution, better SATA controllers with more functionality, dual Gb LAN, better cooling & overclocking, plus others I can`t think of right now.

Maybe someday I`ll buy a laptop, then the WIFI would be useful.

When I buy a motherboard I make sure I know what I need out of it, and I`ll buy the one that does what I need it to. If it does extra stuff I don`t need I really don`t care, every MB I ever owned had something I didn`t need, eg. Firewire.

 

[aka1nas]

Originally posted by: erwos

Originally posted by: Heidfirst
are they?
I wouldn't say that they specifically are.

Which other market segment is buying these $200 motherboards?

Overclockers who don't play games?

 

[erwos]

Originally posted by: aka1nas

Originally posted by: erwos

Originally posted by: Heidfirst
are they?
I wouldn't say that they specifically are.

Which other market segment is buying these $200 motherboards?

Overclockers who don't play games?

Yes, and that's a huge market segment, right? Come on. Gaming and overclocking go pretty much hand in hand.