wireless PCI or USB

chino · 12-31-2004

I am trying to decide if I should buy a linksys PCI wireless card or the one with USB connection. Does it make a big difference?

It just seems to me that the PCI antena is hiden in the back of the PC and it would have better reception if it was up higher. I don't know

Any suggestions? Thanks!

Chino

wrzwaldo · 12-31-2004

Well you could never use the PCI version in a laptop if ever needed.

chino · 01-02-2005

Good point, but besides that, Is it better a PCI wireless card or a Wireless USB adapter?

wrzwaldo · 01-02-2005

Well with the PCI version you are limited on how you can use it...

Open the case, install it, ...

With the USB just unplug it and move it to the new computer (USB equipped laptop or desktop)...

Driver install most likely needed either way!

The Others · 01-03-2005

PCI should be easier to connect an external antenna to.

wrzwaldo · 01-03-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Others

PCI should be easier to connect an external antenna to.

Good point! Thats one for PCI.

On the other hand the USB device is the external antenna. -1 for PCI...

beakmyn · 01-03-2005

There's no dB loss in the USB cable* so you can a really long cable on the USB -2 PCI

You can get USB wireless and a memory stick in one -3 PCI

*As Thorn mentioned in another thread.

The Others · 01-03-2005

You can buy hard to find cards, such as a prism2 senao (they're all prism3 now) in mini-pci format. You can then cheaply purchase an adapter to make it PCI. Like here:

http://www.solwise.co.uk/wireless-mini-pci.htm

That's one up for (mini) PCI!

wrzwaldo · 01-03-2005

So I guess it just depends on what you want to use the adapter for. If you want to put it in a desktop and hook a bigger antenna to it then PCI seems a good choice. If you want some form of mobility then USB seems the logical path. And if you have a hardon for being unusual you could go the Mini-PCI route.

The Others · 01-03-2005

Yeah, I'll agree with you on that. I'd go for USB, but that's because I only use wireless on my laptop. Being crappy, it also doesn't feature a mini-pci slot. My next laptop, however...

So chino, the choice is yours!

12-31-2004	#1 (permalink)
chino Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 2	wireless PCI or USB I am trying to decide if I should buy a linksys PCI wireless card or the one with USB connection. Does it make a big difference? It just seems to me that the PCI antena is hiden in the back of the PC and it would have better reception if it was up higher. I don't know Any suggestions? Thanks! Chino

01-03-2005	#5 (permalink)
The Others PeaceDriver Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Dos Palabras, Mandoras Posts: 2,920	PCI should be easier to connect an external antenna to. __________________ all good ends all ?u=273

01-03-2005	#7 (permalink)
beakmyn Free Public Wifi Join Date: Aug 2003 Posts: 4,992	There's no dB loss in the USB cable* so you can a really long cable on the USB -2 PCI You can get USB wireless and a memory stick in one -3 PCI *As Thorn mentioned in another thread. __________________ ┌──────────────────────────────┐ ╞ NS Icons Explained\|et hoc genus omne ╡ └──────────────────────────────┘ Creating yesterday's future, Today!

01-03-2005	#8 (permalink)
The Others PeaceDriver Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Dos Palabras, Mandoras Posts: 2,920	You can buy hard to find cards, such as a prism2 senao (they're all prism3 now) in mini-pci format. You can then cheaply purchase an adapter to make it PCI. Like here: http://www.solwise.co.uk/wireless-mini-pci.htm That's one up for (mini) PCI! __________________ all good ends all ?u=273

01-03-2005	#10 (permalink)
The Others PeaceDriver Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Dos Palabras, Mandoras Posts: 2,920	Yeah, I'll agree with you on that. I'd go for USB, but that's because I only use wireless on my laptop. Being crappy, it also doesn't feature a mini-pci slot. My next laptop, however... So chino, the choice is yours! __________________ all good ends all ?u=273

12-31-2004	#2 (permalink)
wrzwaldo I amuse you? Join Date: Dec 2003 Posts: 9,147	Well you could never use the PCI version in a laptop if ever needed.

01-02-2005	#3 (permalink)
chino Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 2	Good point, but besides that, Is it better a PCI wireless card or a Wireless USB adapter?

01-02-2005	#4 (permalink)
wrzwaldo I amuse you? Join Date: Dec 2003 Posts: 9,147	Well with the PCI version you are limited on how you can use it... Open the case, install it, ... With the USB just unplug it and move it to the new computer (USB equipped laptop or desktop)... Driver install most likely needed either way!

01-03-2005	#9 (permalink)
wrzwaldo I amuse you? Join Date: Dec 2003 Posts: 9,147	So I guess it just depends on what you want to use the adapter for. If you want to put it in a desktop and hook a bigger antenna to it then PCI seems a good choice. If you want some form of mobility then USB seems the logical path. And if you have a hardon for being unusual you could go the Mini-PCI route.

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