D630 wireless advice

I will order my D630 today from my university site but I only have two wireless options. The Dell Wireless™ 1505 Draft 802.11n Mini Card [add $8.00] or the Intel® 3945 802.11a/g Dual-Band Mini Card [Included in Price].

I will be using wireless only when I travel which is very often at airports and hotels. I will have this computer for 3 years so does it make sense to go with the Dell N even though from what I could find on this forum people seem to more often prefer Intel. I did ask if they could upgrade the wireless card to the Intel N and they said yes for $90 more.

Also since this is just a travel computer should I order the second 9 cell battery for $79. My Dell batteries never last more than a year. Thanks.

 

I've got the Dell 1505 and have had issues connecting to some G routers. (My draft-n router at home works fine however). If the Intel draft-n card was an option for me I would have opted for it as Intel cards generally have less compatibility issues.

 

Do not buy! I ordered my Latitude D630 medio August. Expected delivery they is suspended till 2nd half of october!

 

My advice is to go with the Intel card. The Dell card isn't an official "N" card, only a "draft N" card. It'll probably work with the "N" standard in the future, but there is no guarantee. I think the "G" standard will be around for quite awhile. And if in the future you do need an "N" card, you can always get a USB or PC card wireless card to tide you over until you upgrade your computer.

dordale

 

Definitely a G card if you plan to travel with it. You will have less compatibility issues.

Paolo

 

Thanks Paolo and dordale I will follow your advice.

 

You can pick the Intel 4965 cards up off of eBay for less than $40 if you are unhappy with your choice later on.

All D630s should be equipped, from the factory, with the 3 antennae required for 802.11n operation.