unless someone finds something I am doing wrong, the xps 8900 is a non-go as configured by DELL

High-end specs.  Why would DELL cheap-out on the 1801 wifi adapter?

The 8900 sits next to my two HPs. On the 2.4 GHz band the HPs get 50MB down and 20MB up.
Unlike the DELL, they also support 5G and I get 100/20 on that.

The 8900 gives no choices under properties for N protocol even though it is advertised as having  a    802.11 b/g/n adapter. Clearly unsat.  It give less than 20% of the HP speeds on the 2.4GHz band. 

I have been playing around with settings for hours.  If one of you gives me the solution, that would be great.

Otherwise it goes back tomorrow.   After so much anticipation, I am very disappointed.