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    WiFi 3x3 AC Notebooks

    Discussion in 'Networking and Wireless' started by andrei_oGu, May 10, 2014.

  1. andrei_oGu

    andrei_oGu Notebook Consultant

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    Hello.

    I was wondering why PC manufacturers are not using 3x3 WiFI AC solutions. From my research the only notebook with such capabilities is the late 2013 Retina MacBook Pro that I have. I can ger speed between 60-80 MB/s to my NAS nad around 40-50 with another notebook with Intel 7260 AC which is 2x2.

    Are there any plans to a 3x3 wifi mPCe card? I want to upgrade my M6800 Precision notebook to one but cant seem to find them. I already have the third antenna ready.
     
  2. cbautis2

    cbautis2 Notebook Consultant

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    I would guess that none of the manufacturers can fit a 3x3 Qualcomm AC or Broadcom AC or Marvell AC chipset in a half height mini pcie form. The WiFi chip for rMBP is larger than mini pcie. Not a lot of PC manufacturers wanted to have a proprietary WiFi form factor (hope this they don't go with Apple's all proprietary thing) so it's harder to get those chipsets in half height mini pcie form.
     
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  3. downloads

    downloads No, Dee Dee, no! Super Moderator

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    That's true. I have a mini PCI Express three stream cards in my ac router and it's huge compared to a normal one. While the interface is still PCI Express the PCB itself if far too large.
     
  4. andrei_oGu

    andrei_oGu Notebook Consultant

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    Still I hardly believe that this is the reason no one is trying to develop one in standard pce format.
    Will there be one out this year?
     
  5. WhatsThePoint

    WhatsThePoint Notebook Virtuoso

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    I think all the usual suspects are trying to get one out the door but have yet to succeed.

    As notebooks keep getting thinner internal space is a major factor in what can fit.

    The yet unannounced Intel AC-7265 is M2 aka NGFF form factor but still 2x2 like the mini pcie AC-7260.

    In 2015 we may start to see 802.11ad aka WiGig products.

    AnandTech | MWC 2014: Wilocity brings WiGig 802.11ad to Smartphones with Wil6300 Chipset
     
  6. andrei_oGu

    andrei_oGu Notebook Consultant

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    Has anyone seen any new news regarding the 3x3 WiFi Module?