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    Built-in vs. external wireless card

    Discussion in 'Networking and Wireless' started by superpig10000, Mar 6, 2007.

  1. superpig10000

    superpig10000 Notebook Geek

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    I plan to buy a Compal Hel80 pretty soon. I've heard some bad things about the Intel Pro 3495abg so I might go with the Buffalo G64HP that got pretty good reviews on newegg. Are pcmia wireless cards better than built-in ones? Should I make this change?

    Thanks.
     
    superpig10000, Mar 6, 2007
    #1
  2. Kdawgca

    Kdawgca rotaredoM repudrepuS RBN

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    They each have their pros and cons depending on how you want to use it. I have the linksys WPC54GS which serves my needs nicely and has SpeedBooster technology which increases Wireless-G performance by up to 35% along as you use it with a SpeedBooster router which i have.
    Here a cnet review of my card>
    http://reviews.cnet.com/Linksys_WPC...r_with_SpeedBooster/4505-3380_7-30822795.html
    IF you chose an external card just make suere you look at the review of it to see if you like/need it.
     
    Kdawgca, Mar 6, 2007
    #2
  3. superpig10000

    superpig10000 Notebook Geek

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    Is the Buffalo G64HP better than the 3495abg?
     
    superpig10000, Mar 6, 2007
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  4. Pitabred

    Pitabred Linux geek con rat flail!

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    Generally, external cards get worse reception than internal ones. It is possible to get your laptop without a wireless card and install one yourself.

    And, just for a data point: I've got an Intel3945 card in my laptop, and it's worked beautifully under both Linux and Windows, on all networks I've ever wanted to connect to.
     
    Pitabred, Mar 6, 2007
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  5. l33t_c0w

    l33t_c0w Notebook Deity

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    I get better reception with my HEL80 than with any other laptop I've tried, with pcmcia cards and internal antennas. It seems to work fine. I'm not a fan of the Intel software, but, eh.
     
    l33t_c0w, Mar 6, 2007
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  6. next4nextel

    next4nextel Notebook Consultant

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    Get an internal one
    I have the intel card it works great and for the average user it should be fine.
    1. will reduce the weight of your laptop
    2. you wont have to have an extra card to worry about
    3. If you need another PCMCIA device then you can't plug both in as most laptops have 1 slot.
     
    next4nextel, Mar 6, 2007
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  7. BaNZ

    BaNZ Notebook Consultant

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    I like external because I can swap it to another laptop if I need to Especially those usb ones which can be used on desktop too.
     
    BaNZ, Mar 7, 2007
    #7