Inspiron 5100 Mini Wireless PC card

Question

Which is the recommended dell mini pc card for wireless networking for my Inspiron 5100? What are the differences, benefits/problems, of the different models? Is there a preferred model?   Thanks.

jmwills · Answer

I will presume you are referring to a PCMCIA card and not an internal card.  Most of the models from Linksys, Belkin, D-Linnk, and Netgear are good performers.  What you need to do is make sure you match the card with the same brand name router for better customer support.

jmwills · Answer

Not a clue.  I would not not even attempt to install an internal card when PCMCIA cards get much better reception.

Wattride · Answer

No, I am looking for the internal mini wireless card. I have checked and both antenna wires are there.

Wattride · Answer

Really? I did not realize that the antennas for the internal card were so ineffective? So, would most users then benefit from using only PCMCIA cards?

volcano11 · Answer

My 5100 has a TM 1300, which works great. Since Dell no longer sells the 1300, the 1350 should work just fine. I would stay away from the Intel cards, as many problems have been reported on these forums.

Steve

Wattride · Answer

Upon searching some other boards, the consensus seems to be that one might lose about 15 feet of reception by going internal. That seems fine given that you don't have a card sticking out and the hassle of maybe breaking it. So, anyone, what mini wireless card for the Inspiron 5100?

Wattride · Answer

I do not see a mini wireless intenal TM 1350, only a PCMIA Card.

jmwills · Answer

I'll stack my Gold Orinoco card up against anyones, especially when you can connect an external antenna dongle to it.

volcano11 · Answer

http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/ProductDetail.aspx?sku=430-1129&c=us&l=en&cs=19&category_id=5823&first=true&page=productlisting.aspx Steve

Wattride · Answer

I am looking for an internal mini wireless pc card. Should I choose the Wireless 1450 (#430-0962) or the Pro Wireless 2915 WLAN (#430-1396)?

volcano11 · Answer

Sorry, I got the wrong 1350.  I guess Dell doesn't sell the mini PCI version of that card anymore.   The 1450 is a better choice than the 2915, as the 2915 is an Intel card that uses the same drivers as the other Intel cards that people are having trouble with.   Steve

Wattride · Answer

I bought the 1450 just now....thanks.

Networking, Internet, & Bluetooth

Was this post helpful?