Inquiries regarding updating the Wi-Fi card on a laptop
Inquiries regarding updating the Wi-Fi card on a laptop
Hello! Thanks for reviewing this point. Laughs! So here’s the scenario I’m dealing with. My friend wants to boost his laptop performance, specifically increasing its Wi-Fi speed. He currently uses a Lenovo Ideapad Z585 running a Qualcomm Atheros chipset (model ar9485wb-eg), which doesn’t support AC Wi-Fi. We’re considering a replacement. I understand physically swapping the card is manageable, but there are some concerns about the procedure.
Q1: I’ve read about BIOS settings and flashing. What’s the typical procedure to make the BIOS accept a new Wi-Fi chip? (Some suggest installing drivers for the new card before swapping.)
Q2: Which Wi-Fi chip would be a suitable replacement? We already have the ar9485wb-eg model.
Q3: I’ve noticed two main types—Mini PCIe and M.2. Is my current mini PCIe card correct?
Q4: Should we anticipate improved range, stability, and speed after the swap?
Q5: Is a Wi-Fi card really needed? Could a USB 3.0 adapter handle it? (I’ve tried many USB adapters, most causing lag and drops, so I went for PCIe cards for better performance. That’s why I recommended replacing the card.)
Extra info: My friend currently has a 250Mbps connection; his phone shows around 95 Mbps, and the laptop only gives about 27 Mbps. If we replace it, can we expect a noticeable jump? Also, his budget is roughly $50 for the new card.
Thanks a lot!
@Woofuwu 0 - Avoid centering your posts, it's hard to read. 1 - Don't need to refresh your BIOS before swapping out a new network card, though an update might still be handy. Remember that some laptop BIOS settings are linked to the original hardware, so they won't work with other third-party changes. Make sure you uninstall any existing drivers before removing the old card, then install the new one and its corresponding drivers. 2 - It's a good idea to open your laptop, locate the WiFi card, gently disconnect the antenna cables, and remove the card. Capture a photo and share it here. Your model's form factor seems unique on Google. 3 - Prioritize step 2 first. 4 - It varies based on your setup and the wireless access point available. 5 - USB adapters might function, but treat them as a last option. The PCIe port offers more stable power than many USB ports, enabling better performance. USB adapters, even with USB 3.0 support, still require power and can struggle when multiple devices are connected. Also, I notice the chipsets in USB adapters often have a shorter lifespan. EXTRA - Avoid fast.com; consider DSLReports or SpeedTest.net for more accurate results. Be mindful when testing speeds on smartphones—they may switch to slower data connections if the network isn't explicitly disabled. Also, some phones come with superior WiFi antennas that can leverage advanced features for faster speeds. Improved speeds after an upgrade aren't guaranteed; you'll need to try it yourself. EDIT - Ensure you're connecting to the phone's WiFi, not your cellular data network, to avoid unexpected charges.