WLAN module upgrade

[ecavicc]

The wireless module I currently have installed (Broadcom BCM43142 802.11 bgn 1x1 Wi-Fi + Bluetooth 4.0 HMC combo adapter) has very poor support in Linux (Arch based distros, particularly) and has always been kind of a pain in windows too. If I wanted to upgrade to something more reliable, what could I choose? I found the list below in the maintenance and service guide under the WLAN module upgrade guide, and besides the dual-band cards, would the other cards be compatible? Is there any whitelisting? I wouldn't mind not having bluetooth, never used it. There's also another list at the beginning of the guide, pages 3 and 4, with other cards but no spare part number.

Also, do parts marked as for Windows 10 perform worse on Linux?

• Realtek RT8188EE 802.11 bgn 1x1 Wi-Fi adapter, for use only on computer models equipped with Intel processors for HP Pavilion 17 and 15 Notebook PC computer models
• Broadcom BCM43142 802.11 bgn 1x1 Wi-Fi + BT4.0 HMC combo adapter, for use only on computer models equipped with Intel processors for HP Pavilion 17 and 15 Notebook PC computer models available for Windows 10
• Intel Dual Band Wireless-AC 3160 802.11 ac 1x1 WiFi + BT 4.0 combo adapter, for use only on computer models equipped with Intel processors for HP Pavilion 17 and 15 Notebook PC computer models
• Realtek RT8723BE 802.11bgn 1x1 Wi-Fi + BT4.0 Combo Adapter for HP Pavilion 17 Notebook PC computer models available for Windows 10
• RTL8188EE 802.11BGN 1x1 available for Windows 10
• Broadcom BCM 4352 WLAN 802.11 AC+BT4 2x2 HMC for HP Pavilion 15 AMD computer models available for Windows
• Intel Dual Band Wireless-AC 3160 802.11 ac 1x1 WiFi + BT 4.0 Combo Adapter for HP Pavilion 17 and 15 Notebook PC

[Huffer · Accepted solution]

5th gen Intel Core processor system has no wifi whitelist so you can install anything of the right form factor assuming you have two antennae. The Manual confirms the Broadcom card only has a single antenna. Intel works well with Linux but Intel cards generally need two antennae. Atheros also has good Linux support. Broadcom is the most difficult to get working right. 

https://www.amazon.com/Qualcomm-Atheros-AR9485-PCI-Express-670036-001/dp/B00TYMOM4U/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UT...

The above card should work out of the box with any fairly new Linux distro and will work OK (not great) with a single antenna. 

Post back with any other questions and please accept as solution if its the info you needed. 

[ecavicc]

Thanks for the quick reply.

What if I wanted to find something that works great with just one antenna? I'm fairly sure that the last time I opened the laptop for cleaning I saw just one antenna cable. Could you steer me in the right direction? Also, what is the correct form factor? Half Mini PCI-Express?

[Huffer]

Nothing works great with a single antenna it is at best OK. Yes it is a half-height mini-pcie. 

[ecavicc]

Thank you very much for the help!

[ecavicc]

Ok, I know I marked as solved, but I have one more question.

Could this module work as well? https://www.amazon.it/dp/B07K2XHGFP/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_buysCbKBXWW4P

It's apparently supported by the same Linux driver as the other card suggested, and it also has bluetooth. Not that I need it, but it costs just a few euros more and it'd be nice to have bluetooth just in case.

[Huffer]

Yes its Atheros wifi so will work fine. Bluetooth can be a bit tricky to get working under Linux

https://www.maketecheasier.com/setup-bluetooth-in-linux/

[ecavicc]

Yeah, I'll figure something out, and if it doesn't work it's not really a problem anyways. Thank you very much for all the help!