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    Intel or Dell Wireless- which is better for me?

    Discussion in 'Networking and Wireless' started by Speedy2k42, Nov 27, 2006.

  1. Speedy2k42

    Speedy2k42 Newbie

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    Hey everyone-

    I'm going to be purchasing a Dell Inspiron E1405 and I need to decide whether I should get the Dell Wireless 1390b/g card or the Intel PRO/Wireless 3945a/g card. I'm going to set up a small network at home and I have a D-Link DI-524 2.4GHz (802.11g) Wireless Router. I'll also be connecting to the wireless network at my university. Which is better and why?

    Please throw some suggestions at me! Thanks!
     
    Speedy2k42, Nov 27, 2006
    #1
  2. chronicfuture12

    chronicfuture12 Notebook Consultant

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    chronicfuture12, Nov 27, 2006
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  3. mfmbcpman

    mfmbcpman Notebook Consultant

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    Buy Intel. Dell card doesn't support different authentication methods like LEAP or others well, if at all.

    It includes it own software which is much better than Windows connecting. Also, if you are going to ever go to Linux, I'm pretty sure it isn't commonly supported.
     
    mfmbcpman, Nov 27, 2006
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  4. lowlymarine

    lowlymarine Notebook Deity

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    The Dell card is a Broadcom B/G chipset, probably 4308 or 4318, whereas the Intel card is a PRO/Wireless A/B/G chipset, and therefore provides support for the obscure wireless-A standard (also 54-Mbps, but on a different frequency).

    The Intel card is spotty in Linux - it ususally works, but sometimes it doesn't, especially with 64-bit distros. The Broadcom almost always requires a manual driver installation and then is still spotty...sometimes it's difficult to get a connection and sometimes it won't work at all (especially in 64-bit distros...noticing a pattern?)

    The Intel card will never, ever, ever work in OSX, so don't even bother. The Broadcom would be supported natively (as Apple uses Atheros and Broacom chipsets for all of their AirPort cards). As a plus, the GMA950 also has native support for CI/QE + OpenGL HW (such as it is) in OSX.

    Vista will probably be peachy either way...though the GMA 950 will catch fire trying to run Aero Glass.
     
    lowlymarine, Nov 27, 2006
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  5. Sykotic

    Sykotic Notebook Evangelist

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    I have heard that the range on the broadcom chipsets are further, but if you want the centrino package stick with the INTEL
     
    Sykotic, Nov 28, 2006
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  6. Speedy2k42

    Speedy2k42 Newbie

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    I'm not a Mac user and I don't ever plan on using Linux so I think I'm going to get stick with the Intel wireless card. If anyone absolutely objects, feel free to give your opinion lol. Thank you for all the feedback guys.
     
    Speedy2k42, Nov 28, 2006
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