wireless laptop

[harwyn16]

Hi,
I have just purchased a Dell Inspiron 9400 DUO-2.
It comes with dell's standard wireless card (54Ms) 3945 for DUO-2.
I notice they now do the 1500n (270Ms) card for newer models.
Any one know if these card are interchangable?
Dell is being unhelpful?

 

[nweaver]

you arn't making any sense....


1500n (270Ms) means what?????

I"m ASSUMING...based on the 3945 number (only one that looks right) that you have an Intel 3945 BG or ABG (same model, one lacks the A radio f/w) miniPCI Express card. Yes, you can swap with any standard MiniPCI Express card. Stay away from HP cards (although I don't think HP sells any laptops with Intels) as HP burns odd F/W that only works in HP laptops, and the laptop will only read one burned with that special f/w (have to swap HP to HP)

that 3945 is a great card, I don't see why you would want to swap it though.

 

[harwyn16]

Sorry about the lack of explanation.
Yes the 3945 works with 802.11a/b/g (54Mega samples/sec).
The new 1500n card offered by dell should work to new 802.11n draft standard at upto 270Mega samples/sec.
Reason for asking is I am about to purchase a wireless router Netgear DG834N (suppose to work up to 270Mega samples/sec)
Harwyn16

 

[InlineFive]

Don't buy N draft gear. It's a waste of money as some N products are already turning out to be incompatible with the final standard.

Plus, N is a channel hog and it makes it harder to run more wireless network.

If you need that speed go wired.

 

[nweaver]

actually....

Dell offers a router/card combe for draftn that works pretty well...increasing bandwidth and range. There is a whitepaper on their site somewhere that shows exact specs, but the testing WASN'T done in some remote desert/parking garage with no other WIFI for miles, it was in the middle of a city, with a few (2 or 3? iirc) beacons visible at the AP, and at the extreme range, you had something like 15 AP's, and were getting 5Mb/s.

EDIT: not that I would swap cards if it were me...