Best Wireless Card for a Laptop

[threebikesmcginty]

Our 3-Com wireless card seems to have died - any recommendations for a replacement?

Don't know if it's relevant but it's a Toshiba laptop and the broadband is a regular Talk-Talk wireless router and service package.

Thanks!

 

[threebikesmcginty]

I think this thread went rather well!

I'm underwhelmed by all the responses so I've ordered the cheapest one I could find on Amazon.........

 

[ianrauk]

LOL,
I suppose it's like posting a "What Bike?" on a computer forum..

 

[ian turner]

Wireless adapters are much of a muchness and there's a limited selection so its not something one can express an opinion on.
Mind you ask which harddrive and you'll get a plethora of responses which are worth snuff generally.

 

[Garz]

You didn't specify external or expansion slot type!

I found with wireless stuff you get what you pay for. I got a cheap dongle which rarely worked on most machines and a branded but cheap PCI type which was poor also. Soon as you spend a reasonable amount they tend to not play up.

I take it its an old laptop as for years they are built into the machines unless its fisher price quality?

 

[rh100]

I'd go for PCMCIA (slot in the side - credit card size) over anything that plugs into USB.

As for brands, try to match your router if possible, usually makes for easy setup. Or go for Netgear or Linksys (made by Cisco I think). 3 Com is a good brand also. I don't rate belkin too much but it works I suppose.

 

[twowheelsgood]

they all use one of a limited number of chipsets. buy the cheapest. PCMCIA stand less chance of snapping off than USB (am I the only one who thinks dongles are a stupid idea for mobile devices).

If it's economical to fit an internel module, then do that ideally.

 

[Dan B]

Watch out with the internal modules (mini-PCI) if your laptop has a builtin antenna that the wires in the mini-pci bay are long enough to reach the antenna connection points on the mini-PCI card. I used to have a HP nc2400 with such a bay but there was only enough wire to reach the top right-hand corner of the card, so it was unfortunate that the card I bought only had connection point on the bottom right-hand corner :-(

solwise.co.uk used to be good for that stuff

 

[swee'pea99]

Never thought about it really, I got one of these 'cos I had a Belkin router. It's been fine.

 

[alecstilleyedye]

they all use one of a limited number of chipsets. buy the cheapest. PCMCIA stand less chance of snapping off than USB (am I the only one who thinks dongles are a stupid idea for mobile devices).

If it's economical to fit an internel module, then do that ideally.

no.