If you are interested in buying a laptop Wi-Fi card, there are three important nuggets you must not ignore or fail to consider before choosing any product. These include speed, consistency, and reliability.
If you take these three words seriously while ransacking the internet for the best Wi-Fi card for a laptop, then expect to spend a little bit more than you have budgeted. It is still a good decision because you will be buying one that is not only long-lasting but also provides stable connectivity.
Are you finding it cumbersome to choose a new Wi-Fi card for your laptop, you no longer need to worry or look further. I have taken my time to develop this article where you will be provided a wide range of quality Wi-Fi cards for your laptop which you can choose from.
As usual, I will not just offer you an honest review of these products but I will also hold your hand and walk you through the pros and cons of whatever choice you want to go for.
In addition, we shall look into other related factors of buying a new Wi-Fi card for laptops as well as the frequently asked questions we get from your fellow laptop owners.
Some people have read stuff on the internet, or maybe in some manuals where they make you believe it takes your head to be on the ground before you can choose a perfect Wi-Fi card and install it yourself.
The fact that there are many Wi-Fi cards to choose from online as they vary from one another in terms of frequency bands, QAM levels, and compatibility with certain systems. This doesn’t mean that you will spend a lot of time trying to choose the perfect one.
To this effect, I have gathered the necessary features you need to look out for in the product description of a Wi-Fi card before choosing it.
If you are a student like me, you would prefer a handy laptop you can take along with you anywhere and can easily connect to a wireless network. Having the best Wi-Fi card for a laptop allows me to enjoy my time and get most of my work done while being connected to the internet.
So if you are searching for a new laptop Wi-Fi card, here is the top pick you can not resist! More details about each of the products listed would be outlined as we progress in this article.
Table of Contents
What Is a Laptop Wi-Fi card?
So before we delve into the full review of the best Wi-Fi cards for laptops as seen above, I want to shed more light on what exactly a laptop Wi-Fi card is.
Perhaps, someone had recommended that you buy this item and bring it to him for installation, chances are you may end up making the wrong choice because there is no basic understanding of what this wireless card is used for.
The image above is a typical example of a good PC Wi-Fi card. as you can see, it is a small device but as small as it is or looks, it is the integral item that makes the laptop gets connected to the internet connection without a cable connection.
It is originally designed with your laptop but when things go south with your laptop internet composition, you will need to replace the Wi-Fi card. A Wi-Fi card makes the connection via the signals transmitted by a wireless router. A Wi-Fi card for a laptop can be in two forms, this includes:
- External device for the connection.
- Built-in Wi-Fi card.
Let’s now briefly examine how this important small device works in giving your PC a stable connection.
How Does a Wi-Fi/wireless Card for Laptop Work?
The importance of a Wi-Fi card in a laptop as well as the functionality of the card is pretty much easy to explain. They are originally installed in most laptop models while in some laptops, you will have separately buy and install them yourself. It is very simple to install and I will show you how it is done as we progress in this article.
If you understand how the internet works, then it would be much easier to understand how a Wi-Fi card for a PC works as well. A wireless Wi-Fi card provides a connection and transmits data through radio waves. It is capable of transmitting a signal between 75 and 150 feet. It does not work by transmitting data through DSL, phone lines, or a high-speed cable.
It features an access point where the signal is received, then translates all this data from the binary form to radio waves. Afterward, these radio waves are broadcast-ed to the surrounding area and make the signal accessible to you.
Do I Really Need A Laptop Wi-Fi Card?
When you have a laptop, there is already a pre-installed Wi-Fi card in the laptop that allows you to be available online while using the laptop. The original Wi-Fi cards installed in the laptop are enough to catch the signals of the internet connection available.
But it becomes a distraction when the walls or different levels of floors from the signals-providing device pose as hurdles. This is where the need for a new Wi-Fi card for the laptop is needed for either installment or replacement.
Getting any of these quality Wi-Fi cards for your laptop that have been provided in this article will allow you to carry with you the internet activities without any distractions.
The use of an advanced Wi-Fi card for your laptop is a permanent rid from the USB Wi-Fi adapter.
Best Laptop Wi-Fi Cards
1. TP-Link TL-WDN4800 N900 Dual Band Wireless PCI Express Adapter
When listing the best wireless card for laptops, it is impossible to go on and list them cool items without mentioning this TP-Link because it has been at the forefront in delivering perfection in connectivity. It is a compatible card that has extra-high speeds which means that game lovers like me can enjoy an amazing experience of online streaming without any interruption.
By getting these superb Wi-Fi cards that are compatible with most laptops, you can work on almost the highest speed wherever you find your self.
Those who have installed this wireless card on their PC testified to the quality of the model and getting value for their money spent. It is worthy to b rated as the best Wi-Fi card for laptops this year because it offers an unmatchable range and compatibility.
If you are a game lover or one who spends most data on online streaming, then this would be the best option you are going to see so far. This is because this small but mighty card has been designed with detachable antennas and higher speeds to make sure that the connectivity you get with this card remains unbeatable. When gaming, this Wi-Fi card will allow you to enjoy a wonderful gaming experience without any obstruction.
There is definitely something special about this wireless that makes it appear first on our list. One particular feature about this product that makes it people’s first choice is the ability for the card to prevent heat accumulation such that heat dissipation happens equally in all components.
I really fell in love with this feature because I do not when my equipment starts to get hot after using them for a while. The card allows you to continue running smoothly.
2. Gigabyte GC-WB867D-I REV Bluetooth 4.2 and Wireless AC Expansion card
In my opinion, I tend to appreciate any product that does not only come at a cheap price but also offers superior performance. It is actually a natural behavior of buyers, generally. And quite sadly, products that are affordable and still offer sharp performance are relatively rare to see.
This Gigabyte GC-WB867D-I REV Bluetooth 4.2 and Wireless AC expansion card Is not an exception. This is more reason why you would want to grab the opportunity now that it is available. I rank this product among the best five when it comes to Wi-Fi cards with a Bluetooth mechanism that is fully qualified to deal with all Wi-Fi-related concepts.
First of all, the reliability given to this wireless card is more than enough to tell you how worthy this product is. It comes at a low cost, which male you think less of it. But you are about to purchase the one Wi-Fi card for your laptop that offers superior performance.
The amount of speed offered by this card is quite impressive, this is coupled with adjustable antennas that ensure solid coverage. You will also love the fact that it is very compact and compatible with most models.
One reason why I would be convinced to place this product over our number one for this post is because of the simplicity of the installment process. Funny enough, the most freaking part of purchasing a new Wi-Fi card is that some are complex to install. But not with this one. While it is small and of compact size, it is a simple thing to insert it into your PC system.
3. ASUS PCE-AC88 AC3100 Wi-Fi Card
To begin with, the 4×4 adapter technology that is featured in this card allows for better connections, in addition to this are extension cables and detachable antennas for superb coverage.
If you are looking for a wireless card for your laptop that will be easy to adjust the antenna and offer a very high-speed connection then you may want to consider this model of ASUS Wi-Fi Card. Considered one of the best Wi-Fi cards for PC systems, this ASUS Wi-Fi card may be all you need to achieve a superior Wi-Fi connection as you have never had.
One reason to not look past this one is the first-ever 4×4 adapter in the market that can not be found in any other Wi-Fi card brand or model. Secondly is the broader coverage and range it offers to satisfy users who want to do some online streaming.
It is indeed a special kind of Wi-Fi card for PC, which also feature some special components that make it qualify to be ranked among the best n the market today.
Most users say that it is really efficient. This is true because the card features advanced NitroQAM technology that offers high speeds of up to 2100 Mbps.
4. Fenvi T919 for MacOS PC PCI Wi-Fi Card
One thing that is really profound about this desktop wireless Wi-Fi adapter is that it ensures security. Someone like my cousin who is always ready to work with sensitive data will need a model like this particular one. It is also designed with a stiff encryption technology that encodes your data.
It is indeed an ideal Wi-Fi card to use if you want to be sure that your private information is safe even while you transmit them to other people. A solid reason to choose this model over others is that the throughput that allows for fast data processing and communication is amazing.
Speed in the amount of data that can be successfully moved from one place to another in a given amount of time of this desktop Wi-Fi adapter is seemingly impressive.
It is a very popular model. Not that it is trying to catch the attention of buyers. I can vouch that this product will not disappoint you. It has three core techs in one embodiment. Another special feature that wins buyers’ interest is how this model can secure your direct communication and encrypt it from end to end.
We should also highlight the fact that it has a higher throughput above some basic Wi-Fi cards for desktops and PC. It enhances better coverage and range of the card.
5. Intel 7260 HMW Dual Band Wireless-AC 7260 Network Adapter
Apart from our number one product in this post, I have no intention I making this post hierarchical. In other words, they are all reviewed in no particular order.
I am spelling this out now because of this particular Intel 7260.HMW Dual Band Wireless-AC 7260 Network Adapter PCI Express Half Mini Card 802.11 is setting the market on fire when it comes to reviewers’ choice of the best Wi-Fi card for laptops. It is designed with a cost-efficient mechanism that assures longer battery life so that users will not have to worry about charging repeatedly.
One thing that makes me believe that it is among the best in the market and why I have included it as part of the list is because of the Intel Smart technology.
If you have been ignoring all of the products reviewed above, then I advise that you do not sleep on this one, as it will be marking the end of the best Wi-Fi card for laptops that will be reviewed in this post.
I have spent quality time combing through various online stores to get the best products, and these five are what I came up with. If you are someone who is always on the go but still wants to be available online with your PC, then you may want to consider this one, as it is made with dual-band technology that supports better battery life for the model.
Yes, there are indeed some special things about this Wi-Fi card that sets it apart from others. Apart from the dual-band technology, it is considered among the best as a result of the Bluetooth adapter combination, as it allows users to use faster speeds and higher capacity. The broader coverage and long-lasting battery life are two things that make this one special.
How can I install my new Wi-Fi card on my laptop?
So when we began with this post, I mentioned that I am going to show you how you can install a Wi-Fi card on your laptop by yourself.
I also mentioned earlier that it may be a challenging thing to do, but trust me it is very easy. So to install your newly purchased Wi-Fi card on your laptop, here are the practical steps you need to follow.
- The first thing to do, it is actually needless to say but I have to tell you, is to make sure that your laptop is unplugged from any electrical source. It is better safe than sorry.
- Flip your laptop to the base, that is, the base underneath the keyboard area.
- Open the backside of the laptop and identify the old Wi-Fi card.
- Before we continue with the steps, I must warn you that you should take note of how the antennas of the old Wi-Fi card were positioned so as not to misplace the new one.
- Remove the antenna of the old Wi-Fi card.
- Use a suitable screwdriver to unscrew the nuts holding the old Wi-Fi card.
- Position the new Wi-Fi card just as the way the old ones were fixed and then make sure all screws are tight.
- Attach and position the antennas at the right angles.
- And that is all on installing your new Wi-Fi card on your laptop.
- Package the battery case and power ON your laptop.
If it is your first time doing this by yourself, you may face some difficulties or a state of confusion at one point or the other. You can always reach out to me via the comment section and I will put you through or even send personal videos of demos if need be. To this end, lets now examine some frequently asked question on the best Wi-Fi cards for laptops
ALSO READ: Can You Use eGPU With Gaming Laptop?
Frequently Asked Questions on Best Laptop Wi-Fi Cards
Can you upgrade the wireless card in a laptop?
The short answer is yes. But you should know that almost all modern laptops, if not all, usually come with a built-in Wi-Fi card for connectivity and communication. While some are made with old technology, they can be easily replaced or upgraded.
What Wi-Fi card does my laptop have?
Since I am not with your PC, I can not comment on the type of Wi-Fi your laptop has. But I can show you how to know. Simply go to the device manager list and search for network adapters.
After locating it, click on the plus sign next to Network Adapters to expand a list of all networking devices on your computer. Your wireless card should be listed there.
What is the best Wi-Fi card?
It may be very difficult to choose a perfect Wi-Fi card for your laptop among myriads of options available in the market.
But the genuinely reviewed options here will help to identify the best for you. The best Wi-Fi card should be one that has the best speed, consistency, and reliability.
Do Wi-Fi cards make a difference?
Well, in my own opinion, I do not think there is much difference between Wi-Fi cards. Not any longer. However, you should have it in mind that 5g actually has worse coverage
Must I get a Wi-Fi card for my PC?
You definitely need a Wi-Fi card for your PC, especially when you do not have Ethernet ports where your gaming PC will dominate.
You could use some of these motherboards that usually have built-in Wi-Fi connectivity. Either way, you want to enjoy a steady connection that interprets that getting a separate card pays off.
SEE MORE: How To Maintain Your Laptop
How do I replace my laptop’s Wi-Fi card?
As I mentioned earlier, replacing or installing a new Wi-Fi card on your laptop is not difficult. The first thing is to make sure the laptop is disconnected, switched off, and closed. Then, flip the laptop and remove the base of the laptop to locate where the old Wi-Fi card is, and then detach the two antennas. Make sure they are well removed and replaced with the new one.
One of the important things you should not forget when replacing your laptop Wi-Fi card is to pay attention to how the antennas of the old Wi-Fi card are placed so that it will be easy to fix the new card the same way.
Conclusion
As I have also mentioned, if you face any problem installing or replacing your laptop Wi-Fi card, you can check the manual that comes with the new Wi-Fi card package or you can as well reach out to me in the comment box.
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