Archive: March, 2010

SparkLan WPEA-111N WLAN

No comments March 29th, 2010

This device would be my choice of WLAN cards, if my machine only took 1/2 length cards.

Chipset: Atheros AR9280
Front end module: SiGe SE2593
Interface: Half Mini PCI Express
Wireless connection up to 300Mbps
RF 2T2R

This is as good as it gets with this kind of WLAN card.
Dual Channel, supports 11n in both 2.4Ghz and 5Ghz so will work with most Wireless Routers.
2T/2R that means 300Mbps in both directions
Atheros 9280 chipset same as in the full lenght version of the card (which I currently use).
Only real gripe, is with Atheros and it’s lack of a proper Client Utility with it’s drivers.

This card is the card of choice if you can easily live without a Client Utility.
But if you prefer to use a client Utility to setup your connections then Ralink based cards are for you, see below.

SparkLan WPER-116GN WLAN

No comments March 29th, 2010

This like the WPER-150GN is a single antenna WLAN solution.

Chipset: Ralink RT3090
Interface: Mini PCI Express
Wireless connection up to 150Mbps
RF 1T1R

This looks to be a corporate edition, and states that it’s a low power device.
Also states that’s its for top end Notebooks, not so sure about that my self.
Only positives I can see is that it should be a reliable WLAN card that may use less power but only because it transmits with 1x antenna and gives poor performance compared to dual/triple antenna devices.

SPARKLAN WPER-117GN WLAN, Gigabyte GN-WS21N and Gigabyte GN-WS33N

No comments March 29th, 2010

This is a WLAN card that falls between the WPER-150GN and WPER-120GN.
Chipset: Ralink RT3091 (SOC)
Interface: Half MiniCard
Wireless connection up to 300Mbps
RF 1T2R

With the 1T/2R antenna’s this can receive data at 300Mbps but only send at 150Mbps max.
Probably good enough for most home use, will struggle a bit with sending data to a device over WLAN.
Not a bad choice for those on a budget, as this should be a cheaper card, but you’re better off with the WPER-120GN

SPARKLAN WPER-120GN WLAN

No comments March 29th, 2010

This is a more promising card, then it’s little brother below.
Chipset: Ralink RT3092
Wireless connection up to 300Mbps
2T2R

The Ralink RT3092 is a dual antenna single radio chipset.
Also USB device on a card.
This can transmit and receive at 300Mbps.
Should do well with data transfers and media streaming.
Not the ideal WLAN card that would have 11nABG support but pretty close.
Not a bad choice to upgrade to, if you never plan on using 5Ghz (A) band.

Mini PCIe WLAN cards first thoughts

2 comments March 28th, 2010

I see a whole range of new WLAN cards coming out to replace the rather nasty ones included with OEM Notebooks.

Here is a first look a them and my thoughts, would love to get my hands on them to take them for a spin.

SparkLAN WPER-150GN / Gigabyte GN-WS32L
802.11n, b/g/N, 1T/1R USB interface Mini PCI-Express Half-Size Module
Ralink RT3070 minicard SoC Solution

This card should only be used if your current notebook or other device has but one antenna.
The Ralink RT3090 chipset is a USB device on a card, with single antenna and radio.
The connection to and from the router will be limited to 150Mbps max.
Should do reasonably well in day to day stuff like surfing the web, sending print jobs etc.
Demanding jobs like file transfer or data streaming won’t be it’s strong point and best left to 2T/2R or better cards.
This is a cheaper card at $34.95 and can be found at our good friends OxfordTec

I’m sure in the next few days better I’ll have some better cards to look at.

GMAIL is great

No comments March 18th, 2010

Just been playing with GMAIL to setup my Wife’s new Blackberry.
Now all her accounts come together to her GMAIL account and is so easy to manage from her phone and Notebook.
Really impressed how it works and it’s a really powerful tool that costs nothing, well done Google.
IMAP email is the bees knees (good) for keeping all devices in sync.
Being able to POP other accouts to suck the data into GMAILS IMAP, a great feature.
There a tonne of feature that can be adjusted to your needs.

I’ve seen GMAIL around for years, but always thought that spammers and fraudsters used to get free email.
I am very much wrong regarding this.

Anyway, very impressed with GMAIL