Dell's confusing wireless options!

[FunkyT]

Dell are offering the following options for their Inspiron range:

Intel® ProWireless 2200 802.11b/g
Dell Wireless 1350 802.11b/g 54Mbps Mini-PCI Wireless Card
2100 Intel Pro Wireless Card
Dell Wireless 1450 Dual Band 802.11 a/b/g Mini-PCI card

Are these all Mini-PCI cards?

Which is the best?

Thanks

[+Murphy+]

In theory the fourth one, Dell a/b/g, since it supports all three of the main standards. The top Intel only does b/g and I think, off hand, that the 2100 is only b.

Its slightly confusing that so many are listed, but its down mainly to the Centrino branding, although not necessarilly better, you have to have Intel wireless capabilites to use the mark (among other things). The Dell equivalents should be better for the money, though I'm not sure how this pans out in practice.

b/g is what most people would end up using, so the Dell option 2 is likely to be the best bang per buck, even if it does not have all the bells and whistles of option 4.

Scott

[FunkyT]

Thanks Murphy - it really is confusing!

I'm going along the lines of Intel 2200 (b+g) in order to have true "Intel" Centrino compliance?

I'm pretty sure all 4 are Mini-PCI cards. Should I decide to change/upgrade in the future would it simply be a case or swapping the card or is it more complicated than this?

[Timmy!!!]

I would choose the Intel b/g option, I have a centrino laptop with b/g wireless and the drivers and utility by Intel are fantastic. I have never had a problem with them.

[FunkyT]

I would choose the Intel b/g option, I have a centrino laptop with b/g wireless and the drivers and utility by Intel are fantastic. I have never had a problem with them.

Thanks dude!

Do you know if the card can be swapped should another standard be introduced or if "a" becomes more popular?

It would be nice to have the option...

[Timmy!!!]

Yes the card can be swapped as easily as swapping the ram. Simply turn over the laptop and remove the cover saying something like "wireless b/g". This is a great feature of centrino laptops.