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Pros & Cons: USB WiFi vs. PCcard adapters in LAPTOPSI'm getting an old Laptop setup for LAN use and right now it has USB
and PCcard slots available but no built in Ethernet. For me PCMCIA is tried and true tech, being as it's been around awhile and has lots of bugs worked out (yet still not perfected, of course). Is there a deal breaking Go-No Go threshold for USB networking? What would make the USB option more attractive than PCcard adapters? TBerk Hi
In general USB has an advantage that the module unit with the antenna can be connected with a USB extension cord, and thus be put in a better physical position to receive weak wireless signal. Such an arrangement makes the Laptop clumsy (schlepping a cord with a USB adaptor at the end reduces the mobility). In addition an old computer probably does not have USB2. I.e. if you use USB it has to be the slow 801.11b wireless. If it fits an old computer, 802.11g PCMCIA would work at 802.11g speed. So, unless you have a very specific situation that calls for "sticking" the Antenna further away from the Laptop, PCMCIA is the preferred solution. Jack (MVP-Networking). Show quoteHide quote "TBerk" <bayareab***@yahoo.com> wrote in message news:1160177837.493383.115200@i42g2000cwa.googlegroups.com... > > I'm getting an old Laptop setup for LAN use and right now it has USB > and PCcard slots available but no built in Ethernet. > > For me PCMCIA is tried and true tech, being as it's been around awhile > and has lots of bugs worked out (yet still not perfected, of course). > > Is there a deal breaking Go-No Go threshold for USB networking? What > would make the USB option more attractive than PCcard adapters? > > > TBerk > Well you did say an "old" laptop, so I'll ask. Does it have cardbus slots?
Not all PCMCIA slots are the same, and many "old" laptops don't have cardbus slots. Almost all "g" speed cards require cardbus slots. Just a thought. David Hettel Show quoteHide quote "Jack (MVP-Networking)." <J***@discussiongroup.com> wrote in message news:OpXpm9a6GHA.2380@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl... > Hi > In general USB has an advantage that the module unit with the antenna can > be connected with a USB extension cord, and thus be put in a better > physical position to receive weak wireless signal. > Such an arrangement makes the Laptop clumsy (schlepping a cord with a USB > adaptor at the end reduces the mobility). > In addition an old computer probably does not have USB2. I.e. if you use > USB it has to be the slow 801.11b wireless. If it fits an old computer, > 802.11g PCMCIA would work at 802.11g speed. > So, unless you have a very specific situation that calls for "sticking" > the Antenna further away from the Laptop, PCMCIA is the preferred > solution. > Jack (MVP-Networking). > > "TBerk" <bayareab***@yahoo.com> wrote in message > news:1160177837.493383.115200@i42g2000cwa.googlegroups.com... >> >> I'm getting an old Laptop setup for LAN use and right now it has USB >> and PCcard slots available but no built in Ethernet. >> >> For me PCMCIA is tried and true tech, being as it's been around awhile >> and has lots of bugs worked out (yet still not perfected, of course). >> >> Is there a deal breaking Go-No Go threshold for USB networking? What >> would make the USB option more attractive than PCcard adapters? >> >> >> TBerk >> > > Hi
While the probability that an old laptop (pre P-4, and similar cpu/chipset) would have USB2 is close to zero. Most P-III, would take 802.11g wireless cards. That is why I make the distinction by this comment: “If it fits an old computer, 802.11g PCMCIA would work at 802.11g speed”. Jack (MVP-Networking). Show quoteHide quote "David Hettel" <no***@nowhere.com> wrote in message news:O6H7Evb6GHA.1256@TK2MSFTNGP04.phx.gbl... > Well you did say an "old" laptop, so I'll ask. Does it have cardbus slots? > Not all PCMCIA slots are the same, and many "old" laptops don't have > cardbus slots. Almost all "g" speed cards require cardbus slots. Just a > thought. > > David Hettel > > "Jack (MVP-Networking)." <J***@discussiongroup.com> wrote in message > news:OpXpm9a6GHA.2380@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl... >> Hi >> In general USB has an advantage that the module unit with the antenna can >> be connected with a USB extension cord, and thus be put in a better >> physical position to receive weak wireless signal. >> Such an arrangement makes the Laptop clumsy (schlepping a cord with a USB >> adaptor at the end reduces the mobility). >> In addition an old computer probably does not have USB2. I.e. if you use >> USB it has to be the slow 801.11b wireless. If it fits an old computer, >> 802.11g PCMCIA would work at 802.11g speed. >> So, unless you have a very specific situation that calls for "sticking" >> the Antenna further away from the Laptop, PCMCIA is the preferred >> solution. >> Jack (MVP-Networking). >> >> "TBerk" <bayareab***@yahoo.com> wrote in message >> news:1160177837.493383.115200@i42g2000cwa.googlegroups.com... >>> >>> I'm getting an old Laptop setup for LAN use and right now it has USB >>> and PCcard slots available but no built in Ethernet. >>> >>> For me PCMCIA is tried and true tech, being as it's been around awhile >>> and has lots of bugs worked out (yet still not perfected, of course). >>> >>> Is there a deal breaking Go-No Go threshold for USB networking? What >>> would make the USB option more attractive than PCcard adapters? >>> >>> >>> TBerk >>> >> >> > > 
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