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Notebook upgrade to wireless internet

Discussion in 'PC Hardware' started by Landisj, 2009/04/28.

  1. 2009/04/28
    Landisj

    Landisj Inactive Thread Starter

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    I own a HP Pavillon ZE5400 laptop, running Win XP sp2, which only has USB1.1. However, it has a PCMCIA card slot on the side. I would like to take this laptop cross country and get public access internet. I am trying to find out what PCI card or USB wifi adapter would best suit my needs and give the best distance/reception and speed for this computer. I mention that it only has USB 1.1 not 2.0 and I wonder if the PCI slot would give me higher connection speed. Thanks for your help!
     
    Last edited: 2009/04/28
    Landisj,
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  2. 2009/04/28
    TonyT

    TonyT SuperGeek Staff

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    AFAIK that laptop should already have built in wireless adapter. Rt click My Network Places > select Properties. What icons are in the Properties window?

    FYI, the slot on the side is a PCMCIA slot.
     
    TonyT,
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  4. 2009/04/28
    Landisj

    Landisj Inactive Thread Starter

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    Thanks for your response- this notebook comes with a wireless INFRARED link for wireless devices like a printer but no wireless internet. My Network places are my dial up service, my local area connection for cable high speed, and under 'Network Bridge' I have '1394 Connection' and 'Network Bridge connected'. This exact model is the ze5460US and I believe there was a upgrade model with built-in wireless LAN. Thanks for any further suggestions.
     
    Landisj,
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  5. 2009/04/28
    captifive

    captifive Inactive

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    Hawking Hi-Gain Wireless-G CardBus PC Card, w/ HiGain Antenna, Model: HWC54D. ds-dh Looked good but D-Link makes a PCMCIA Wireless- N which would increase distance also.
     
    captifive,
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  6. 2009/04/28
    Landisj

    Landisj Inactive Thread Starter

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    Thanks for quick reply!- one concern about these products versus a USB style product-- will the PCMCIA card work faster than a USB type wireless adapter due to the fact my laptop is USB1.1? Will 'wireless-N' give more speed on my specific laptop versus the 'G' card?
    I'll work into your suggestions- much appreciated!
     
    Landisj,
    #5
  7. 2009/04/28
    captifive

    captifive Inactive

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    captifive,
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  8. 2009/04/29
    TonyT

    TonyT SuperGeek Staff

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    The type of USB interface won't affect Internet speed if use a usb wifi adapter. But you'd be better off using a PCMCIA adapter in the longrun.

    The advantages are:
    1. more compact
    2. can leave in the laptop when laptop is in bag and traveling.
    3. less bulky.
    4. easier & faster to connect & disconnet the hardware.

    I suggest getting an 80211g card. 80211n is fine when connecting to n networks, but most WLANs, esp free ones at hotels and hotspots, use 80211b or 80211g, thus there's no advantage to n adapters except for your own n WLAN, and the n rates will only be advantageous when transferring files between computers, not Internat rates.
     
    TonyT,
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