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    Which Wireless Option?

    Discussion in 'Networking and Wireless' started by jonezart, Mar 2, 2006.

  1. jonezart

    jonezart Notebook Guru

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    I'm looking at an HP dv5000 and have 3 choices for wireless:

    54g(TM) 802.11b/g WLAN w/ 125HSM/SpeedBooster(TM)
    54g(TM) 802.11a/b/g WLAN
    54g(TM) 802.11a/b/g WLAN & Bluetooth

    I'm not sure I understand the differences between the first two. One has only b/g but has that Speedbooster thing, while the second one has a/b/g and no Speedbooster thing (the Bluetooth one doesn't have SB either). The second opton is also more expensive. I'm not sure I need the Bluetooth, unless I can be convinced.

    Also, do these network cards usually have an ethernet port on them? In case wireless is not available.
     
    jonezart, Mar 2, 2006
    #1
  2. lmychajluk

    lmychajluk Notebook Evangelist

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    Most laptops will also have a wired ethernet port.

    You probably don't need 'a'. It's not that common. Bluetooth is nice if you want to sync your cell phone's address book, or use a wireless mouse w/o a seperate USB BT dongle.

    I would go with 1 or 3, depending on your BT decision.
     
    lmychajluk, Mar 2, 2006
    #2
  3. Brian

    Brian Working at 486 Speed NBR Reviewer

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    Right, if you don't have other Bluetooth devices and have no intention of buying them, then #1 is best. You'll see faster file transfer speeds on that one if you also have a compatible router.
     
    Brian, Mar 2, 2006
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  4. dr_st

    dr_st Notebook Deity

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    I'd vote for the Bluetooth. Reason - if at some point later you find use for it, you'll be glad you've had it. Now, the difference between 54Mbps wireless and 125Mbps wireless is not so crucial - for basic web surfing and light network use the 54Mbps is more than enough, and for heavy file transfers Ethernet is going to be faster anyway. The value of an additional connectivity option (Bluetooth) to me is significantly higher than just an increase in transfer speed (even if it really is going to be twice as fast).
     
    dr_st, Mar 2, 2006
    #4