Which WiFi card do I have?

philip2009 · 5 Jun 2014 at 14:39

I have a new(Dell refurb) laptop that was listed as having a "Intel Dual band Wireless-AC 7260" card, when I go to Computer properties (Windows 8) it's listed as "Intel Dual Band Wireless-N 7260" - which seems at odds with the description. The "Advanced" tab for the WiFi also only mentions 802.11n/b/g - not AC.

How do I confirm whether I have an AC WiFi card - at the moment I only have "n" equipment to test the laptop?

Philtor · 5 Jun 2014 at 16:15

Download Speccy and that should tell you.

bledd · 5 Jun 2014 at 16:21

Look in Device Manager, find the Details tab for the device, then the 'Hardware Ids' drop down, Google the ID.

IE..

VEN_8086&DEV_10DE

Or open up the slot on the back of the laptop and see what it says on the Wifi card, they're often in the same compartment as the RAM slots.

philip2009 · 5 Jun 2014 at 19:45

Thanks for the replies, turns out the laptop was incorrectly specced as having an AC card ...

kefan77 · 5 Jun 2014 at 19:58

you can purchase AC card for like a tenner, but unless you have AC router it will be completely useless. well I mean working on the "n" standard and below.

It's a valid reason to return the laptop though.

philip2009 · 5 Jun 2014 at 20:31

Yes, decided to keep the laptop(after a partial refund) and purchase an AC card for future use.

Nymins · 5 Jun 2014 at 23:41

The dropdown will not list AC as an option. At least not for that model of card.

If you have an AC router, keep it at default or auto if it's there.