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#1
Alternative to Ralink RT5390 half pci-e wireless card
I've used two different HP laptops in my living room with wireless signal strength varying from 3-4 bars. Just today I got another HP laptop with a Ralink card installed and this one is staying mostly at 2 bars, only occasionally up to 3. Nothing else has changed.
The reasonably strong wireless connections on my other two laptops was facilitated by Intel 5100 and 5300 wireless cards. Are the Ralink wireless cards considered a step or two behind the leading brands? Would it be a good idea to get an Intel card instead, or is it more likely that the laptop has a deficient antenna arrangement? I've searched on-line for my laptop model (dv6-6145dx) and found a couple of similar complaints, but no worthwhile resolutions.
Are all PCI-e wireless cards created equal, meaning you should be able to install them in any laptop that accommodates the type? Or do some motherboard architectures lend themselves to work better with only certain brands/models?