Usb Vs Pcmia

[MichaelG653]

Hello all........ I need to replace the wireless card in my wife's laptop... a Dell Inspiron. She currently is using a pcmia card, but was wondering if a usb adapter would be better than a pcmia card? We have never used a usb wireless adapter so don't know whether or not they would be better than a pcmia card. Has anyone used a usb wireless adapter or know if they are better or the same as a pcmia card? Thanks!

[doctorgonzo]

Stick to PCMCIA. USB network adapters tend to be more flaky.

[AnotherMuggle]

Originally Posted by MichaelG653 Hello all........ I need to replace the wireless card in my wife's laptop... a Dell Inspiron. She currently is using a pcmia card, but was wondering if a usb adapter would be better than a pcmia card? We have never used a usb wireless adapter so don't know whether or not they would be better than a pcmia card. Has anyone used a usb wireless adapter or know if they are better or the same as a pcmia card? Thanks!

Mate has a PCMCIA card and never has anything to complain about. I have a USB one which can be a real pain.

ALSO...I think the USB ones are a little vulnerable the way they stick out the socket all the time. I often come close to snapping it off moving my laptop about.

[12twelve12]

Also isn't using USB for a wireless adapter going to produce slower speeds than PCMCIA?

[Ob1]

for a laptop, i would only use a pcmcia card

usb's tend to get bumped since they usually stick out a few inches from your laptop, which increases the chances of it breaking, or bumping it enough to the pt where it pops out a ittle and you lose your connection.

[mbossman2]

Originally Posted by 12twelve12 Also isn't using USB for a wireless adapter going to produce slower speeds than PCMCIA?

it can as USB devices are more CPU intensive than some PC card devices the overall performance is slower.

USB has its places, but IMO, networking isn't one of them....

BTW, PC cards also stick out the side of the laptop and are prone to get snapped off as well (I have broken 3 or 4 cards that way...usually when I am in a rush to go somewhere and forget to pop the card out and put the laptop into the bag and SNAP)

[AnotherMuggle]

Originally Posted by mbossman2 BTW, PC cards also stick out the side of the laptop and are prone to get snapped off as well (I have broken 3 or 4 cards that way...usually when I am in a rush to go somewhere and forget to pop the card out and put the laptop into the bag and SNAP)

USB adapters have more outside the laptop than inside it, and are much narrower. PC Cards still stick out, so can still get broken, but are generally less vulnerable if they do get nocked.

[mbossman2]

that is true...but USB's stick out sufficiently that you never really think to yourself "no, it won't break off" and proceed to stick the whole rig in your bag...

[AnotherMuggle]

Originally Posted by mbossman2 that is true...but USB's stick out sufficiently that you never really think to yourself "no, it won't break off" and proceed to stick the whole rig in your bag...

I suppose thats a fair point

[MichaelG653]

Thanks for all the responses......... will stick to a pcmia card for my wife's laptop... thanks again