Best 802.11b PC Card

Memo · 10-25-2001, 04:19 PM

ok. So my laptop (Dell Inspiron 8100) is in the mail and I just found out the University of Texas has most of its buildings hooked up on a wireless LAN and so do most of the sorority and frat houses here. So, i'm looking for an 802.11b card. I see some of them say they only go up to 150ft and some go up to 1700ft. I know it varies depending on whether you're indoor/outdoor and what transfer rate you set it at. But.........are there any cards that are BETTER than others? Or maybe some that reach farther? Also, if they're 802.11b, will they work on any 802.11b compliant network?

hapoo · 10-25-2001, 04:58 PM

they're pretty much all the same among similar brands. I have a Netgear and it works great.

Apex · 10-25-2001, 05:18 PM

I think D-Link tends to have the worst reception (you should hear darth complain about that one).

If I remember correctly, the Cisco Aironet 350 client adaptor has the most powerful antenna (at least the most powerful of any I've seen):

http://www.cisco.com/warp/public/cc/...t/a350c_ds.htm

Jeffbx · 10-25-2001, 06:29 PM

I've had good luck with 3Com's, but the Cisco and Avaya (Lucent) ones are supposed to be the best. I've tried the Cisco and it works good; haven't tried the Avaya.

One thing to check out - see if they are using encryption wherever you'll be connecting. If so, be SURE to get a card that supports hardware encryption at the same level as the WAP. Otherwise your performance will be horrible.

clutchy · 10-25-2001, 07:29 PM

Intel was coming out with a new card a while ago that was supposed to be 5 times faster than regular wireless cards, i'm not sure if it's out yet or not though.

correct me if i'm wrong but most of those cards will only do like 11kbps. right?

Apex · 10-25-2001, 07:38 PM

802.11a is a completely different standard (55mbps).

Jeffbx · 10-26-2001, 05:45 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by clutchy

correct me if i'm wrong but most of those cards will only do like 11kbps. right?

11Mbs, not Kb

clutchy · 10-27-2001, 03:01 AM

thx for the correction...

joe52985 · 10-27-2001, 08:02 PM

ive heard very good things about the cisco's reception, even tho i have a wired switch dlink seems to be very reliable i dont know if they are the same way with wireless cards

faither · 11-01-2001, 09:01 PM

I've been using the Linksys wireless for a few months now and I love it. At home and in NYC (where a few wireless hubs have been created).

Memo · 11-01-2001, 09:48 PM

Awesome faither, i think i'm gonna go with the Linksys just because I have 120 dollars in Best Buy store credit. Laptop arrives tommorow

Dell Inspiron 8100 baby! Specs:
15" ULTRA XGA Screen
1.0 Ghz P3
384 PC133 Ram
32MB Geforce2Go
20 GB Hard Drive
Windows XP

faither · 11-02-2001, 07:09 AM

You'll love it. Happy motoring!

redenergy · 11-04-2001, 09:08 PM

For 802.11b for signal streght it is depend on the RF site. I think Lucent did a good job, they are using Dual Reverse F antenna. But the performance is about 3.5-3.8Mbps throughput only. Cisco card performance is better about 4.5Mbps throughput. Depend on are you looking for distance, performance or power comsumption! For best power comsumption you can choose 3com the pervious design from symbol there is a power management. And 3com cards support mobile ip.

I think i did post a got deal for Lucent card for $60-70 only last time if you are looking for distance.

Bandito · 11-05-2001, 03:01 PM

Very happy with my 3COM.

When one is made with a retractable antenna THAT will be a great thing. One that is maybe spring loaded, and stored inside the card itself. When you want to use it push it once to retract, when you are done push it in again to store it...

10-25-2001, 04:19 PM	#1
Memo Admiral Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: East Village Posts: 5,659	Best 802.11b PC Card ok. So my laptop (Dell Inspiron 8100) is in the mail and I just found out the University of Texas has most of its buildings hooked up on a wireless LAN and so do most of the sorority and frat houses here. So, i'm looking for an 802.11b card. I see some of them say they only go up to 150ft and some go up to 1700ft. I know it varies depending on whether you're indoor/outdoor and what transfer rate you set it at. But.........are there any cards that are BETTER than others? Or maybe some that reach farther? Also, if they're 802.11b, will they work on any 802.11b compliant network?

10-25-2001, 04:58 PM	#2
hapoo Fleet Admiral Join Date: Jan 2000 Location: 742 Evergreen Terrace, Springfield USA Posts: 9,276	they're pretty much all the same among similar brands. I have a Netgear and it works great. __________________

10-25-2001, 07:29 PM	#5
clutchy Rear Admiral Lower Half Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Yucaipa, CA Posts: 2,863	Intel was coming out with a new card a while ago that was supposed to be 5 times faster than regular wireless cards, i'm not sure if it's out yet or not though. correct me if i'm wrong but most of those cards will only do like 11kbps. right? __________________ LK was treated unfairly thanks X

10-27-2001, 08:02 PM	#9
joe52985 Lieutenant Commander Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: North Providence, Rhode Island Posts: 855	ive heard very good things about the cisco's reception, even tho i have a wired switch dlink seems to be very reliable i dont know if they are the same way with wireless cards __________________ DISCLAIMER: At any given time my grammar and/or spelling may be incorrect -all of your mom are belong to me p4 1.7 ghz 19 in sony flat screen trinitron 40 gb ibm 75gpx altec lansing ada 885 dolby digtal THX surround speakers Elsa Gladiac 920 128 mb rd ram 16/40 Sony dvd 16/12/40 NEC cd-rw

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10-25-2001, 05:18 PM	#3
Apex Can you hear me now? Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Here Posts: 5,506	I think D-Link tends to have the worst reception (you should hear darth complain about that one). If I remember correctly, the Cisco Aironet 350 client adaptor has the most powerful antenna (at least the most powerful of any I've seen): http://www.cisco.com/warp/public/cc/...t/a350c_ds.htm

10-25-2001, 06:29 PM	#4
Jeffbx Fleet Admiral Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: Michigan Posts: 9,390	I've had good luck with 3Com's, but the Cisco and Avaya (Lucent) ones are supposed to be the best. I've tried the Cisco and it works good; haven't tried the Avaya. One thing to check out - see if they are using encryption wherever you'll be connecting. If so, be SURE to get a card that supports hardware encryption at the same level as the WAP. Otherwise your performance will be horrible.

10-25-2001, 07:38 PM	#6
Apex Can you hear me now? Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Here Posts: 5,506	802.11a is a completely different standard (55mbps).

10-27-2001, 03:01 AM	#8
clutchy Rear Admiral Lower Half Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Yucaipa, CA Posts: 2,863	thx for the correction...

11-01-2001, 09:01 PM	#10
faither Rear Admiral Upper Half Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: FL Posts: 3,240	I've been using the Linksys wireless for a few months now and I love it. At home and in NYC (where a few wireless hubs have been created).

11-01-2001, 09:48 PM	#11
Memo Admiral Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: East Village Posts: 5,659	Awesome faither, i think i'm gonna go with the Linksys just because I have 120 dollars in Best Buy store credit. Laptop arrives tommorow Dell Inspiron 8100 baby! Specs: 15" ULTRA XGA Screen 1.0 Ghz P3 384 PC133 Ram 32MB Geforce2Go 20 GB Hard Drive Windows XP

11-02-2001, 07:09 AM	#12
faither Rear Admiral Upper Half Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: FL Posts: 3,240	You'll love it. Happy motoring!

11-04-2001, 09:08 PM	#13
redenergy Ensign Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Bay Area, CA Posts: 26	For 802.11b for signal streght it is depend on the RF site. I think Lucent did a good job, they are using Dual Reverse F antenna. But the performance is about 3.5-3.8Mbps throughput only. Cisco card performance is better about 4.5Mbps throughput. Depend on are you looking for distance, performance or power comsumption! For best power comsumption you can choose 3com the pervious design from symbol there is a power management. And 3com cards support mobile ip. I think i did post a got deal for Lucent card for $60-70 only last time if you are looking for distance.

11-05-2001, 03:01 PM	#14
Bandito Lieutenant Join Date: May 2000 Location: detroit, mi usa Posts: 381	Very happy with my 3COM. When one is made with a retractable antenna THAT will be a great thing. One that is maybe spring loaded, and stored inside the card itself. When you want to use it push it once to retract, when you are done push it in again to store it...

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