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Networking & wireless: Wireless LAN through PCMCIA adapter or USB...pros and cons

by juanchovies - 3/6/07 8:14 AM
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Post 1 of 4

Wireless LAN through PCMCIA adapter or USB...pros and cons

by juanchovies - 3/6/07 8:14 AM

Hi. I need help deciding a wireless lan adapter for notebook with usb 2.0 but no internal PCI slot for card. Both PCMCIA and USB LAN adapters cost the same. Can anyone help me decide? Range, battery consumption, and other features that make one better than the other.
Thanks
JM

Post 2 of 4

My thoughts. . .

by Coryphaeus - 3/6/07 2:53 PM In reply to: Wireless LAN through PCMCIA adapter or USB...pros and cons by juanchovies

A PCMCIA card will be internal, mostly, and you can leave it plugged it. The USB will be completely external, with a cord, and you'll have to unplug and store it for travel. For me, the PC card wins. Power consumption will probably be less with the PC card, but you'll have to do your own research. Look at each card and the specs should list the power consumption.

Post 3 of 4

USB and PCMCIA

by techy1 - 3/8/07 2:56 AM In reply to: Wireless LAN through PCMCIA adapter or USB...pros and cons by juanchovies

I have both, a wireless usb adaptor and a pcmcia card for my laptop. I have already replaced by USB once as i snapped it by accident :-(

I recommend you go for a netgear wireless PCMCIA card as they are excellent and have a much better signal then a USB wireless adaptor.

I regards to power assumption, I don't think there is much difference.

Thanks

Techy

Post 4 of 4

Did my research and here is what I have so far...

by juanchovies - 3/8/07 1:03 PM In reply to: USB and PCMCIA by techy1

Thanks for the suggestions. Both have to be removed in order for me to fit the laptop in its case. PCMCIA card power consumption is a bit higher because it dedicates more power to antenna, thus providing better signal reception than the usb dongle...Sorry about your mishap Techy...thanks all for comments. I'm trying now a cheap usb wireless lan dongle and as long as the access point is near it is working nicely...place a single concrete wall between access point and adapter and signal goes from excellent to poor. Range is most certainly better with pcmcia card, although I have been told that more expensive usb wireless lan adapters have much improved signal reception. It is still a tough call!!!

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