Upgrade Wifi on Dell Inspiron 14R?

Rob CO · 12-15-2011, 01:21 PM

Anyone have experience upgrading wireless cards in the Inspiron series?
I like everything about the Inspiron 14R, but I need dual band wireless.
It comes with the Intel Centrino Wireless-N 1030, but I want the capabilities of the Advanced-N 6205. I can't figure out if it is easy to just swap, or if it will be incompatible.

Any help/suggestions appreciated.

Thanks--

Rob

Tsunade_Hime · 12-15-2011, 02:56 PM

Dell doesn't whitelist WLAN cards, so any half height WLAN should work. Any particular reason why you want a 6205? You can get a 5300 or 6300 for pretty cheap these days.

Rob CO · 12-15-2011, 04:44 PM

Just looked like a good option, I don't need bluetooth and havn't checked prices yet.
Given that the laptop has a 1030 in it, I was concerned about antenna connections going to a card with three. Does that matter? Which do you recommend?

scamperor · 12-16-2011, 10:26 PM

im using centrino N6230 in my dell inspiron 14r. direct fit, works perfectly.

Rob CO · 12-17-2011, 04:41 PM

Thanks, I appreciate the help.

KevinMemphis · 01-01-2012, 04:44 AM

I'm in the same boat. While very pleased with my new Dell 14R , The stock Centrino 1030 wifi adapter just has to go. I'm looking at the Intel 6300 since I have never had any use for Bluetooth, and doubt I ever will. And besides, these things are surprisingly cheap!
I've got a few questions for you guys that have made the swap.
The only access door on the bottom of my system is for memory only. Adjacent to that panel, there is another square indented piece of plastic with my windows serial numbers on in. If this is the panel hiding the adapter, how does one get into it? It has no screws. I'm assuming you guys that did the swap, removed the entire back of the lappy to get to the adapter. Is that correct? Oh, and just how many antenna wires were back there once you got in? Thanks for your help..Happy New Year to All!