M18x aftermarket WiFi card question

Hi there everyone. Just a quick question.

I've received my all new M18x today. The thing is, I just realised that I forgot to upgrade the networking device when i was purchasing it back then. My M18x currently has the Atheros AR8151 Gigabit Ethernet NIC.

I'm thinking of purchasing a wireless network card (not sure what's it called) but is that worth it? I mean, it also takes space after inserting the card into the available PCI slot on the M18x's side. Plus, is the wireless card is as fast as a high end, integrated wireless card? (i.e. Killer Wireless-N)
If there is a good wireless card, what would you recommend to me?

Please give me some of your thoughts. I'm in dire need of your opinions and attentions. =(
Thanks for taking your time to read my post. Really appreciate it.

Edit:
Sorry to ask this stupid question but would this wireless express card fit in the express card slot in M18x? Just need a clarification so that I won't buy the wrong one
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?VISuperSize&item=180752405044

 

Do you want a new mini PCIe Wifi card or a Expresscard Wifi card? If you're comfortable with disassembly, you could get a new mini PCIe wifi card instead since it has a larger variety of cards to use. I would go with an Intel Ultimate-N 6300, since Killer is a waste of money, the performance improvement is minimal at best and it has crappy software.

 

I have 0 confidence to disassemble my laptop. I'd go with express card. What brand would you recommend? I was thinking of the one I posted above with a link. Btw, will it fit in the express card slot in M18x?

 

The link you provided does not work for me, it's stuck at a loading page. Anyway, expresscard wifi cards are not as common, and as far as I know it's range and performance will be worse than a mini PCIe wifi card. I know Dell posts the service guides for disassembly, you could go over to the M18x forum and ask around.

 

I thought the n series is reliable. I'll post another link for you.
http://www.techdna.co.uk/product_images/npcmcianew.jpg

Btw, which size should I choose for the wireless express card. 34mm or 54mm? As far as i'm concerned, the M18x has 54mm express card slot.

 

I'm not too sure about Expresscard compatibilities, but you should use 54mm if your computer has a 54mm slot. If you want an expresscard wifi card, look around the internet for reviews for the particular product before buying it. I have no experience with expresscard wifi cards so I can't help a lot here

 

Assuming its built like most larger OEM laptops, a minicard is probably very easy to access and install. Typically a small philips screwdriver opens a memory+minicard access panel, 1 or 2 screws hold the card in and the antenna leads are already there. Its mostly idiot proof if you don't force anything, just ground yourself and pull the battery first so you don't fry anything with a nice winter zap.

An intel 6xxx is a safe and affordable bet, or you can go for their own bigfoot cards.

Otherwise there are not many recent expresscard options, and frankly most suck...even the ones with "ok" hardware have really bad driver packages.

There is one really good card (ubiquity sr71x) though its meant for long range use, harder to find and usually pricey. I have gotten some on fleabay in the past for $20-40 though. I wish intel would just shove its 6300 chipset in an expresscard and sell it, no real design work required since all it needs is the connector (everything runs the same pci express signals) and antenna ports.

54mm expresscard slots can handle 34mm cards by design, there are cheap plastic ears out there if it wiggles.

 

This is the service manual for removing the wifi card in an M18x. As seen, it's a no-brainer upgrade, my N43SL requires the entire motherboard to be removed from the chassis . Really, get a mini PCIe card, it's a lot better than Expresscards.

EDIT: Looked at the parts for M18x, your computer has either an Intel 6200 or an Intel 6300. If you did not upgrade, you should have the 6200 which is a 2x2 card, so its enough for most needs. So, why do you want to upgrade your computer's wifi? You don't really need a 3x3 wifi card unless you need the extra performance, range of a 6300.

 

Thanks for the advises man. Really appreciate it. The problem is solved. =D

 

Did you upgrade?

 

Dell never makes it hard to change the wifi card. I am sure it is just a simple panel on the underside. But either way, I can't believe that your new computer does not have a wireless card already installed. I also really doubt any expresscard wireless adapter will be as good as the generic wireless card Dell already included.

It doesn't matter.