CAN I UPGRADE MY WI-FI CARD?

[berhenne52]

Hi all,

Not sure if i have posted about this topic, here before. Anyway, i have a Sony VPCF21Z1E/BI (PCG-81311M) 3D laptop. I would like to know, can i upgrade my wi-fi card, and if so, what is the best one i could purchase? Cheers.

[Anonymous]

Hi there,

Hopefully a community member will be able to help.

Best wishes,

M

[berhenne52]

Hi, 

Doesn't look like anyone is going to answer my question. Cheers.

[Joe_Dohn]

That's definitely a question for Sony engineers, unless you've already tried that?

Finding the right part for a laptop is more complicated than you might think, since compatibility is very tricky.

[berhenne52]

Hi Joe,

Yes, it can be tricky finding parts. I built a new 3D sony laptop from scratch, this year, so I am fairly used to finding parts on ebay, etc.... I built up the parts over a 12 month period, while i was waiting for my old laptop to break down, so i could build the new one. When it started to give trouble, I bit the bullet, and started the new build. Did it without a manual, but it wasn't too bad because i followed the old machine, which made it less hassle. I have decided to build another one with some leftover parts, but i'm finding it difficult to find a 3d screen bezel. Reason i'm asked can the wi-fi card be upgraded is, i bought the fastest processor i could for my last machine, and was looking for better parts to upgrade the performance, i.e. ssd, rams, wi-fi card etc... The faster processor made a difference to the performance. Parts are getting very hard to find these days, because Sony don't make laptops anymore. I have most of the parts i need, but just need a 3d screen bezel, which is tricky to find. Fingers crossed i'll find one. Cheers.

[Joe_Dohn]

That's very impressive honestly, especially given how tricky laptops are in general.

I'm actually building my very first PC later this year, just waiting for the new CPUs and GPUs to release (Nvidia most likely unveiling them in literally 4 days, can't wait for that).

Best of luck with the laptop, I'll cross my fingers for you as well (and toes!).

- J.D.

[berhenne52]

Hi Joe,

Now building a PC would be a different kettle of fish for me. I wouldn't have a clue where to put anything. Lol. For me, laptops are a bit easier. Well my experience with Sony was, but then again, this machine was probably the easiest one i could have worked on. Every part could be replaced. Nothing soldered down, except the GPU, which came installed on the motherboard. I wish Sony hadn't given up the laptop game altogether, because they would have made an unreal, up to date version, of my 3D laptop. Well that's the way i dream it up in my head, lol, with a better CPU, GPU, WI-FI CARD, MORE RAMS, etc... It's a shame, i am so limited to what i can put into these old 2011 3D models. That's how far back that machine goes. Can't believe it's that long ago when they released that 3D model. I bought mine in 2012. Only took it apart this year, which wasn't bad, considering i used it to death, i.e. photoshop, movies, burning discs,  lol. I don't know where i was going taking any laptop apart, seeing that i am NOT a techie. I must have been mad. Lol. Having said that, i had done a few jobs to the old one over the years, i.e. changing the thermal compound, etc.. so i was used to opening it up, and messing around with it. 

I presume you are going to put in the best parts you can find, into your new PC? That's the great thing about building a PC, you can put whatever you want into it, the best of everything. Lol. I'd love to be able to put 64gb of ram into my laptop. 16gb is what i have installed, even though it's cut off point is 8gb. I thought i'd chance it anyway, even though it probably makes no difference. Lol. I did notice the difference in speed, with the more powerful processor, especially when using photoshop. You need a bit of stomping power for that. 

Best of luck with your new build. Let me know what you put into it. I know it will be great. This is my inferior "rocketship" as i used to call it. Lol. This is a stock image. Cheers.   

[Joe_Dohn]

Hey,

I'm not actually planning to use the very high end, and instead will be a mid-tier choice BUT it will be as recent as possible, and given that we're now basically waiting for quite possibly everything being released at once; having a "recent" part is less likely to be an issue, which is amazing!

It is my first PC personally, been using laptops before so I both know where you're coming from as well as quite impressed with your achievements so far. I'm very worried I might kill a part with static electricity but one has got to learn somehow I guess.

The thing about building a PC that is very tempting is future upgrade-ability, you can always count on some way of upgrade being available as long as you don't use fully proprietary parts (i.e. every laptop ever), that is mainly what I'm looking for, especially that I also use a PC for work anyways so switching laptops can become expensive very quickly.

You should look into it in the future, there are multitudes of guides online that are updated with every new release and part recommendations. I mainly use YouTube and I can whole heartedly recommend Linus Tech Tips, Gamers Nexus, JayzTwoCents and Hardware Unboxed as some of the best sources for both news and guides.

Hope this helps in your laptop endeavors (and hopefully future PC ease of mind :P)

- J.D.