wireless USB or Wireless Cardbus

[Sonbuster]

hello everyone,
i'm having trouble deciding between a wireless USB or a wireless cardbus.
my usb ports are 1.1. what would be best to use?

[sienna owner]

Found this post, but no replies....currently looking at the exact scenerio right now...old laptop...any thoughts out there?

Thinking Cardbus might be better since USB 1.1 is slow and USB Adapter might heat up?? unless that's the "cheaper" brands?

[7jaii]

Wireless for older laptops isn't an exact science. Your real answer is testing each device and tweaking your WiFi router & receiver settings.

USB used to be popular because when WiFi first arrived the equipment was expensive. Buyers liked the idea of moving the USB between laptop to desktop. Speed is quite good.

PCMCIA was manufactured specifically for laptops and therefore offers good performance. Linksys sells a Speed Boost feature that's pretty good.

PCI is the best option since it's receiving steady voltage and your OS provides dedicated resources. Any PCI WiFi with a good antenna will offer excellent reception.

Generally, I wouldn't recommend spending more than $25. Again, regardless of brand, your tweaking will decided how well a WiFi device operates with your laptop/desktop. I sell Wireless add-ons for laptop & PC, PM your laptop model and I'll help you decide on an affordable solution.

[rabbit]

I've tried a USB DLink, and it was flakey.

Linksys PC Card (have three of them) have worked reliably.

USB1.1 is fast enough for internet speeds.



Question is, do you want to add USB2 to the notebook? If so, it's tough (if not impossible) to fit both a USB pc card + a WiFi pc card.

[7jaii]

...If so, it's tough (if not impossible) to fit both a USB pc card + a WiFi pc card.

This is true for many laptops. Your laptop requires enough clearance to hold 2 PCMCIA cards. Best solution is purchasing a 4 Port USB2.0 PCMCIA which adds USB2.0 to your laptop. Then insert a USB Wifi device.

Otherwise, you need a slim WiFi PCMCIA card.

[sienna owner]

i don't think it'll be worth it to upgrade the USB to 2.0...I will have to check what slot it has, but the most versatile i would assume is the USB version since the PCI tech is leaning towards the express card (and the 2.0 v will be soon out)....like i said...don't really want to upgrade, but don't want to get something that's going to be obsolete in a couple of months, etc...
at least with the 2.0 i would be able to use on a desktop in the basement if need be.

any thoughts?

[Amourek]

Cardbus will work better, but USB is more versatile/convenient. PCMCIA is dead as most laptops use ExpressCard now.

[JAC]

Se my thread:
http://www.redflagdeals.com/forums/showthread.php?t=607677

Wireless G over USB 1.1 will cripple your transfer speeds. Get a PCMCIA.

[rabbit]

> but the most versatile i would assume is the USB version since the PCI tech is leaning towards the express card

ExpressCard is making PC Card obsolete, but at the same time, how many modern notebooks don't come with wireless 'built-in'? I would just buy some cheap PC Card, like $20-30, new or used.



> i don't think it'll be worth it to upgrade the USB to 2.0.

Not for wireless, but I was thinking of other stuff you may want to use, such as HDD or DVD writer.

[7jaii]

....how many modern notebooks don't come with wireless 'built-in'? I would just buy some cheap PC Card, like $20-30, new or used.

Agreed, current laptops are sold with onboard wifi. USB Wifi is a temporary wifi solution between mulitiple devices or if the computer/laptop did not have an onboard wifi.


....I was thinking of other stuff you may want to use, such as HDD or DVD writer.

Agreed, USB2.0 PCMCIA extends your laptop's usefulness. You're transfering data 40X faster and burners require USB2.0 connections. If you're attaching a 8GB Thumb Stick for additional storage, it would take HOURS just to access its capacity @ USB1.1.