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    How many wifi antennas in XPS 15

    Discussion in 'Dell XPS and Studio XPS' started by css_jay99, Apr 4, 2011.

  1. css_jay99

    css_jay99 Notebook Consultant

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    How many antennas come in the Dell XPS 15, especially the configs with wifi 1000 or 1030 Intel wifi cards.

    I wanted to know if Dell pre-installs 3 antennas even if the intel 6300 card was not chosen as an option?

    Also which is a better card between the Intel wifi 5300 , 1030 and 6230 ?

    cheers

    css_jay99
     
    css_jay99, Apr 4, 2011
    #1
  2. DakkonA

    DakkonA Notebook Evangelist

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    6230, if you see that thread, appears to have some 2.4 GHz issues, but works great at 5 GHz.

    My laptop came with 5 antennas, two for the WWAN card which I don't have, two connected to the 6230, and one extra (for TV tuner?). I'm willing to bet that at least one of those extra antennas (if you aren't using the WWAN or TV tuner) is usable as a third antenna for wi-fi.
     
    DakkonA, Apr 4, 2011
    #2
  3. chemman14

    chemman14 Notebook Consultant

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    wonder why you got all the antennas? I would love a TV tuner antenna so I could install the tv tuner myself. All I got was the wifi antennas :/
     
    chemman14, Apr 4, 2011
    #3
  4. Falco152

    Falco152 Notebook Demon

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    Mine only came with two. I know 1000, 1030, and 6230 uses 2.
    You get 2 additional more if you op for mobile broadband.


    You could add your own if you want, if you care less about the warranty.
     
    Falco152, Apr 4, 2011
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  5. zygotic

    zygotic Notebook Consultant

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    Mine came with 3 for WLAN and 2 for WWAN. I got the 6230 - so there's a spare one in there.

    From the service guide it looks like the TV card one goes to the socket on the back, rather than being an antenna itself.
     
    zygotic, Apr 4, 2011
    #5
  6. DakkonA

    DakkonA Notebook Evangelist

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    zygotic: makes sense, but which one is the TV cable? Is it the gray one on mine/I presume yours?

    For those with fewer antenna, it sounds like you might be able to make a case to get one from Dell if you don't have another easy option.
     
    DakkonA, Apr 4, 2011
    #6
  7. [-Mac-]

    [-Mac-] Notebook Deity

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    i have just found picture of L502X with N1000 and with N6230 from italian forum

    1000
    [​IMG]
    6230
    [​IMG]
     
    [-Mac-], Apr 4, 2011
    #7
  8. zygotic

    zygotic Notebook Consultant

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    The guide says there's a black one for TV. I have a solid (dark) grey one instead that's not connected - and I have no socket on the back. Guess you're the same there?

    Looks like the antennae go through the right hinge into the display bezel - not a 10 minute job to add more!
     
    zygotic, Apr 4, 2011
    #8
  9. Spunky424

    Spunky424 Notebook Consultant

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    does anyone have a guide on how to install more antennas? also anyoe know which antennas to install? thanks.
     
    Spunky424, Apr 28, 2011
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  10. stonetrap

    stonetrap Notebook Consultant

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    There are a three basic options to installing more antennas.
    The most tidy option is to purchase something similar to
    http://cgi.ebay.com/Wireless-Card-Mini-PCI-E-PCI-U-FL-UFL-Internal-Antenna-/280639496933?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item41576ae2e5#ht_3100wt_1139
    and then place it behind the LCD. It requires a fair level of laptop disassembly but is invisible.

    The second option is something like this
    http://cgi.ebay.com/U-FL-RP-SMA-female-Pigtail-Cable-PCI-Wifi-Card-/160519417318?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item255fb3ede6#ht_2071wt_905
    and then use a typical external antenna from any wireless card, although you would either have to work the cable through the grill covering the wireless card or keep it removed.

    The third option is to buy a USB adapter that has a high dBi or support for external antenna.

    I performed the first option myself in order to install an Intel 6300. It worked perfectly although it can be very tricky rerunning all the cables back through the screen hinges.

    Can I ask why you want to install an additional antenna?
     
    stonetrap, Apr 28, 2011
    #10