Dell Inspiron 15 5547 i7/16gb/1080p IPS touch/R7 m265 $798

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Forums › Bargains and Deals › Dell Inspiron 15 5547 i7/16gb/1080p IPS touch/R7 m265 $798

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4032 posts

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#1151317 10-Oct-2014 14:03

Why on earth is there 1x1 in anything that isn't a mobile device? Even having 2x2 in phones and tablets may become more common in the near future. 1x1 in a laptop is inexcusable, the last device i had with that was a $288 netbook.

mattwnz

20107 posts

Uber Geek

#1151324 10-Oct-2014 14:13

Looks like there are a lot of people having trouble with wifi on this laptop, pages of complaints http://en.community.dell.com/support-forums/network-internet-wireless/f/3324/t/19589278

I am guessing they are using this 1x1 wireless card to save costs. Apparently the aerial is in the main body of the laptop too, instead of in the screen where manufacturers will often put it. The wifi performance is certainly patchy, even though it is showing a very strong signal with 5 bars. But it isn't good enough to stream HD video over, even 720p struggles. Even getting within a few metres of the router it isn't great. I will log a ticket to see what they can do about it, but it looks like they will only replace the card with the same one from what others have done. This won't fix it because it appears to be a problem with using a 1x1 card in the device, along with poor aerial placement.

Krishant007

1403 posts

Uber Geek

#1151336 10-Oct-2014 14:31

reckon we can replace the wifi card with something better?? I havent looked into it yet (since its my sisters laptop and not mine). Since I am tech support for the entire family, it might come back to haunt me in the near future.

timbosan

2142 posts

Uber Geek

#1151339 10-Oct-2014 14:35

Krishant007: reckon we can replace the wifi card with something better?? I havent looked into it yet (since its my sisters laptop and not mine). Since I am tech support for the entire family, it might come back to haunt me in the near future.

I have looked into this quite a bit. The card in an Intel AC-3160, and can be replaced with an Intel 7260. From photos on the net (I haven't opened my unit yet) there are two wires for the wifi, meaning a 2x2 unit like the 7260 will be an improvement. It doesn't seem like there are 3 wires, so 3x3 cards are out of contention.

http://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/wireless-products/dual-band-wireless-ac-7260-bluetooth.html

PB Tech do the 7260 so I might get one on the weekend - http://www.pbtech.co.nz/index.php?z=p&p=NETINT2452281&qr=pspy&ref=pricespy

As for the poor signal, there is not too much that can be done, as the aerial wires are in the body (as previously noted) and not in the screen.

loceff13

1059 posts

Uber Geek

#1151343 10-Oct-2014 14:42

Let us know how a new card goes if you do go that way

zaptor

741 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1151363 10-Oct-2014 15:04

There's always the poor mans option? (if you don't mind having one less USB port):
http://www.ascent.co.nz/productspecification.aspx?ItemID=407483

Had to use one of these on a friend's laptop because the inbuilt WiFi was simply hopeless.

(PS: The auto formatting for URLs is really annoying...)

timbosan

2142 posts

Uber Geek

#1151367 10-Oct-2014 15:15

zaptor: There's always the poor mans option? (if you don't mind having one less USB port):
http://www.ascent.co.nz/productspecification.aspx?ItemID=407483

Had to use one of these on a friend's laptop because the inbuilt WiFi was simply hopeless.

(PS: The auto formatting for URLs is really annoying...)

Funny enough I got one of those for my Samsung Ultrabook, which being aluminum has the worst wifi performance I have ever seen (and worse than the Dell) - but I found those USB wifi adapters where no better, I guess because they are so small. What you need is one of these:

http://pricespy.co.nz/product.php?p=2313505

Tradepub

Free professional, reference and technical white papers (affiliate link).

mattwnz

20107 posts

Uber Geek

#1151379 10-Oct-2014 15:28

Shouldn't need one of those though, this is s brand new laptop. Even my old Dell Inspiron has better wifi and range and that is nearly 10 years old and use 802.11g. Every other wifi device I have is far better than this Dell. I think it is up to Dell to come up with a solution as they aren't supposed to be selling faulty products. I am basing that on the number of people who have the same problem

mattwnz

20107 posts

Uber Geek

#1151384 10-Oct-2014 15:32

timbosan:
Krishant007: reckon we can replace the wifi card with something better?? I havent looked into it yet (since its my sisters laptop and not mine). Since I am tech support for the entire family, it might come back to haunt me in the near future.

I have looked into this quite a bit. The card in an Intel AC-3160, and can be replaced with an Intel 7260. From photos on the net (I haven't opened my unit yet) there are two wires for the wifi, meaning a 2x2 unit like the 7260 will be an improvement. It doesn't seem like there are 3 wires, so 3x3 cards are out of contention.

http://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/wireless-products/dual-band-wireless-ac-7260-bluetooth.html

PB Tech do the 7260 so I might get one on the weekend - http://www.pbtech.co.nz/index.php?z=p&p=NETINT2452281&qr=pspy&ref=pricespy

As for the poor signal, there is not too much that can be done, as the aerial wires are in the body (as previously noted) and not in the screen.

I am getting a good signal on mine, 5 bars, even though the connection speed is very slow and patchy. Also ran the dell diagonotics for wifi and it detected a string connection, but the actual speed it showed a problem. So I suspect that the actual card is the main problem. The aerial placement is just bad design, or a way to cut costs, as it makes sense to put the aerial in the lid.

zaptor

741 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1151385 10-Oct-2014 15:35

timbosan:
zaptor: There's always the poor mans option? (if you don't mind having one less USB port):
http://www.ascent.co.nz/productspecification.aspx?ItemID=407483

Had to use one of these on a friend's laptop because the inbuilt WiFi was simply hopeless.

(PS: The auto formatting for URLs is really annoying...)

Funny enough I got one of those for my Samsung Ultrabook, which being aluminum has the worst wifi performance I have ever seen (and worse than the Dell) - but I found those USB wifi adapters where no better, I guess because they are so small. What you need is one of these:

http://pricespy.co.nz/product.php?p=2313505

Curious.

Once installed, the performance was certainly better than the inbuilt adapter. However, the inbuilt adapter had serious driver issues - it wasn't really a reception problem. I forget the make, but, expert opinion was either use a wired connection, get a different laptop, or buy a USB WiFi dongle.

So, I guess if you have good reception in general (i.e. other devices in the house work fine) it might do the trick?

Plus you don't have to worry about voiding the warranty (or CGA-comeback).

When I chose it, I only wanted a nano-sized dongle, since it was going to be connected all the time. I just didn't want the inconvenience of a mini stick-sized dongle, having used them in the past.

zaptor

741 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1151387 10-Oct-2014 15:42

mattwnz: Shouldn't need one of those though, this is s brand new laptop. Even my old Dell Inspiron has better wifi and range and that is nearly 10 years old and use 802.11g. Every other wifi device I have is far better than this Dell. I think it is up to Dell to come up with a solution as they aren't supposed to be selling faulty products. I am basing that on the number of people who have the same problem

Yeeaaah....

I agree, it should work, and possibly worth the hassle to try and get Dell to resolve the issue.

However, bear in mind we possibly purchased this thing below cost.

Do you really want Dell to say "In that case sir, we'll happily refund you the $800, just return the laptop".

mattwnz

20107 posts

Uber Geek

#1151409 10-Oct-2014 16:13

zaptor:
mattwnz: Shouldn't need one of those though, this is s brand new laptop. Even my old Dell Inspiron has better wifi and range and that is nearly 10 years old and use 802.11g. Every other wifi device I have is far better than this Dell. I think it is up to Dell to come up with a solution as they aren't supposed to be selling faulty products. I am basing that on the number of people who have the same problem

Yeeaaah....

I agree, it should work, and possibly worth the hassle to try and get Dell to resolve the issue.

However, bear in mind we possibly purchased this thing below cost.

Do you really want Dell to say "In that case sir, we'll happily refund you the $800, just return the laptop".

Good points, although without good WiFi it is a bit paperweight for me. I updated all the drivers and tried adjusting all the settings and no difference, although the signal bars show a stronger signal. If dell replaced the card so it s a 2x2 card and didn't void the warranty I would be happy. The instructions do actual show how to replace the internal card, so I am wondering if they consider it a user replaceable part that wouldn't void the warranty. Otherwise I many consider buying an AC router with a good range to see if that fixes it for me. Currently just using an N router which has been fine until now.

dolsen

1476 posts

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Lifetime subscriber

#1151430 10-Oct-2014 16:46

mattwnz:

Good points, although without good WiFi it is a bit paperweight for me.

Happy to take the paperweight off your hands for what you paid for it if you'd like :-)
I brought one of these for my wife and am regretting not getting one for myself. Seems to be a very nice machine. Currently using a Vostro 1500 which is about 7/8 years old...

timbosan

2142 posts

Uber Geek

#1151433 10-Oct-2014 16:48

dolsen:
mattwnz:

Good points, although without good WiFi it is a bit paperweight for me.

Happy to take the paperweight off your hands for what you paid for it if you'd like :-)
I brought one of these for my wife and am regretting not getting one for myself. Seems to be a very nice machine. Currently using a Vostro 1500 which is about 7/8 years old...

If you are interested, I am thinking about flicking mine on - but not for the Wifi reasons (mine seems to work OK). I already have an Ultrabook and the Dell is far bigger and heavier. PM me if your keen.

mattwnz

20107 posts

Uber Geek

#1151434 10-Oct-2014 16:50

dolsen:
mattwnz:

Good points, although without good WiFi it is a bit paperweight for me.

Happy to take the paperweight off your hands for what you paid for it if you'd like :-)
I brought one of these for my wife and am regretting not getting one for myself. Seems to be a very nice machine. Currently using a Vostro 1500 which is about 7/8 years old...

Think I will try to find a solution first :). Just moving the router closer to my room has helped a bit. My dad also said he would take it, as he was looking for something similar an is impressed with the large touch screen on it.

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