Wireless N Adapters

Aidoscuz · 11 Apr 2008 at 20:29

A friend of mine has a Netgear DG834N modem which he's been using with a Netgear desktop adapter on his main PC. He's also got a Dell XPS M1330 laptop an Intel 3945ABG wireless adapter, which only supports up to Wireless G. He wants to upgrade to N on the laptop.

The M1330 has an expresscard slot which means most wireless N adapters won't fit in. I've found two N expresscards, one from Belkin and one from D-Link. Netgear also apparently make an N expresscard (the WN711), it's listed all over the place but nowhere has it in stock.

Basically I was wondering if he'd have to wait for the Netgear card to get the most speed and coverage from the Netgear modem or if one of the other cards would work ok?

Also, I've seen the Intel 4965AGN mini PCI-E wireless card for sale. I presume it's possible to replace the existing built-in adapter with this one? Would he need to buy any extra antennae or anything for N or is everything built into the laptop?

Clown · 11 Apr 2008 at 22:37

I had both the Belkin and the D-Link ExpressCard adapters. The Belkin is terrible, random disconnections for no apparent reason. It did seem to get a little toasty but no more than the D-Link did. The Belkin loss of connection is reported on the internet too.

The D-Link has given me no problems at all. That says it all really.

Both cards were used with my Netgear DG834N and D-Link DIR655 routers, on a machine running Vista Ultimate.

tolien · 11 Apr 2008 at 22:42

The Dell might already have the third antenna in there, or it might not, the easier options is to open the machine up and take a look.
My Latitude D820 has the third antenna but only the 3945ABG - there was a build option for an 802.11n card, so I'm guessing they use the same screen (that's where the antenna hides) either way.

It'll work fine with 2, but better with 3.

Aidoscuz · 12 Apr 2008 at 16:23

Thanks for the replies. I think I'll go with the internal Intel card, it's better than having something sticking out of the side of the laptop.

I think the M1330 only comes with 2 antennae, at least with the LED screen. My own M1330 seems to be working fine with 2 antennae so I'd say my friend will be grand with the new wireless card even with a missing antenna.