Advise on USB Bluetooth, experiences.

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DeepBlueSky

547 posts

Ultimate Geek

#193707 21-Mar-2016 15:11

Hi Guys,

My daughters school laptop an HP Ultrabook screen died due mainly to the plastic construction around the hinges causing too much flex and after two HP's both similar issues I have replaced it with a second hand Dell Latitude E6320 with SSD its built like a tank and hopefully will survive unfortunately it does not have a Bluetooth module installed.

I can get a Bluetooth module for it but it looks like you have to disassemble half the laptop to get to the area to install it in or I can get a USB Bluetooth adaptor.

Internal Adaptor

Pros

Does not take up USB port
Factory upgrade

Downside

Looks to be Bluetooth 3
Dismantle half the laptop to install

USB Adaptor

Pros

Easy to upgrade - just plugin
Later Bluetooth standard in Version 4

Downside

Not a factory upgrade
Maybe reliability issues
Takes up a USB port

What are you experiences with USB Bluetooth, if good any recommended brands it will need to be a mini (slim) unit so it can remain plugged in 24/7.

Dynamic

3868 posts

Uber Geek

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Lifetime subscriber

#1516989 21-Mar-2016 15:19

What do you want the Bluetooth module to do for you?

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trig42

5815 posts

Uber Geek

ID Verified

#1516997 21-Mar-2016 15:28

Those E6320 are tanks. We are phasing out some of them at work. They would make pretty good anchors.

As above, what does she need BT for?

I'd usually go with internal (and Dell usually have excellent tear-down guides for installing/replacing internal bits), unless she needs BT v4. I have noticed on ours, which have BT, they won't connect to headphones (whereas my Latitude E7450 will).

toprob

126 posts

Master Geek

#1516998 21-Mar-2016 15:30

I have a bluetooth dongle for my PC, it is by far the most reliable BT device I have, with the best coverage. Only issue on a laptop would be knocking it.

andrew027

1286 posts

Uber Geek

#1517001 21-Mar-2016 15:33

USB Adaptor

Downside

The kids never take them out so it inevitably gets snapped off/broken, probably leaving a dent in your dining table in the process.

Dairyxox

1594 posts

Uber Geek

#1517013 21-Mar-2016 16:01

I've got a USB mini type on my desktop pc, never had an issue with it.....it just works.

DeepBlueSky

547 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1517551 22-Mar-2016 13:05

Thanks Guys,

What it will be used for is streaming music from Spotify, she is a teenager :). I'm thinking the external USB adaptor is the best bet but I see Dell make an internal Bluetooth 4 board but I'm not 100% sure it would work some sites mention E6330 and E6320 in the same sentence but when you look at photos showing the connector cable its changes from a flat plastic type with right angle direction changes to a small braded cable. So maybe it could work if the connectors are the same just not 100% hence my hesitance in jumping.

It would be nice if a Dell tech could confirm / deny the board would work, otherwise I think I will go with the USB option.

Board ID is Dell Wireless 380 Dell Part Number/SKU: 3YX8R

As an aside the laptop arrived yesterday and she is really happy the unit is in NEW condition and has an enterprise level Samsung SSD only 128GB but good enough, (Trig42) defiantly a tank the build quality and the $260 price makes a mockery of laptops 3 to 4 times the price even now.