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li2uR3ce | 3 years ago

So few buy used hardware. I got a used Dell laptop and the WiFi card was shit. Dell doesn't always make the right call but because WiFi card was a replaceable PCIe card, I was able to get more life out of the machine. On the one hand it was good for me. On the other hand it was bad for Dell because I didn't replace the whole machine. Dell is learning, however. Their new machines have every thing soldered in place with no pesky upgrade/repair options, not even a stray NVME or RAM slot. It's amazing they left a USB port.

I've used PCIe a lot for storage and networking applications in laptops, servers, and desktop form factors. It has allowed for much cheapskating--which is why it's got to go. Repair and expansion options are bad for business.

discuss

dmw_ng|3 years ago

Curious what replacement card you went with. I know the WiFi/BT are combined, Bluetooth headphones cutting out last night for no reason at all and the thought came around again to flip a replacement in.

Nice to meet another used hardware buyer. I think the total cost of my laptops over the past 10 years equates to roughly the price of a single new high spec Macbook, and that's with repeat replacements due to damage / spills / etc.

li2uR3ce|3 years ago

I went with an Intel 7260HMW BN for $20. Dual band with Bluetooth 4.0.

USB 3 can trash your WiFi/BT spectrum as many device manufactures provide inadequate shielding. I got some foil tape and carefully lined the inside of an external drive enclosure and fixed some intermittent WiFi issues. FCC should scrutinize USB devices more, I thinks. Probably wack-a-mole though.

AmVess|3 years ago

Intel Wifi 6 is as solid as they come.

formerly_proven|3 years ago

> Their new machines have every thing soldered in place with no pesky upgrade/repair options, not even a stray NVME or RAM slot. It's amazing they left a USB port.

I'm gonna shill a bit again and say the LG Gram series belies anyone saying this has to be done for weight / slimness reasons, as even the 1.0 kg 14-inch model has two M.2 2280 slots.

brnt|3 years ago

Instead of building gaming rigs, I keep my knowledge and skills current by reviving/reusing/repurposing older hardware. Some new ram, a fast SSD, system is good for another 5 years or more. It keeps an old hobby alive and saves me quite a bit of money in the process.