Probook 450 G1 - Wi-Fi Adapter Upgrade

[GranFigura]

Hello,

I would like to upgrade my Wi-Fi Adapter to something 'better'.  I don't know much about Wi-Fi adapters, so I can't really specifficaly point out what I am looking for.  

The current adapter is: Mediatek MT7630E 802.11bgn (according to the device manager). If you can point me toward a list of compatible cards I can research on my own the various differences.

I hope my question isn't too vague.

Thank you very much!

[CarlosE]

 Hi,

The detail is in the manual, page 3.

http://h10032.www1.hp.com/ctg/Manual/c03943639

Supports the following WLAN formats:
● Mediatek MT7630E 802.11bgn 1x1 Wi-Fi + BT4.0 Combo Adapter
● Atheros AR9485 802.11b/g/n 1x1 WiFi Adapter
● Atheros AR9565 802.11bgn 1x1 WiFi + BT4.0 combo Adapter
● Intel Dual Band Wireless-AC 3160 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac (1x1) WiFi
with Bluetooth 4.0 combo
● Realtek RTL8188EE 802.11bgn Wi-Fi Adapter
● Intel Dual Band Wireless-N 7260AN 802.11 a/b/g/n 2x2 WiFi + BT4.0

Supports the following WLAN formats:
● Intel Centrino Advanced-N 6235
● BCM943228HM4L 802.11abgn 2x2 Wi-Fi Adapter and Broadcom Bluetooth 4.0 Adapter

[Huffer · Accepted solution]

Your laptop is new enough to be beyond the "whitelist" problem so you can install any compatible wi-fi adapter of the correct form factor. 

Here is the Service manual:

Manual

WLAN module

Mediatek MT7630E 802.11bgn 1x1 Wi-Fi + BT4.0 Combo Adapter 710418-001

Atheros AR9485 802.11b/g/n 1x1 WiFi Adapter 675794-001

Atheros AR9565 802.11bgn 1x1 WiFi + BT4.0 combo Adapter 690019-001

Intel Dual Band Wireless-AC 3160 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac (1x1) WiFi with Bluetooth 4.0 combo 710662-001

Realtek RTL8188EE 802.11bgn Wi-Fi Adapter 709848-001

Intel Dual Band Wireless-N 7260AN 802.11 a/b/g/n 2x2 WiFi + BT4.0 717381-001

This is the best of the ones in the Manual since it is dual band (2.5 and 5 ghz) and has Bluetooth, which yours has and you do not want to lose:

https://www.amazon.com/HP-Dual-Band-Wireless-N-717381-001/dp/B014RN0VDQ/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=14765...

This one is OK too

https://www.amazon.com/HP-Intel-3160HMW-Bluetooth-710662-001/dp/B013IQYE4A/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=14...

Even better:

https://www.amazon.com/Intel-Wireless-AC-Network-Bluetooth-7260-HMWWB-R/dp/B00N7474CS/ref=sr_1_2?ie=...

"How-to" is at p. 46 of the Manual

If this is "the Answer" please click "Accept as Solution" to help others find it. 

[GranFigura]

Thanks for the clarity of your message!

I checked really fast and this seems to be the most performant one: Intel Dual Band Wireless-AC 7260 2x2. Is this correct?

Kind regards!

[CarlosE]

You're welcome 

Regards.

[Huffer]

Yes the Intel AC 7260 2 x 2 w/bluetooth is the best. 

[pajser92]

Hello, I've also considered upgrading my wireless network card, as the one that came with my device doesn't support 5ghz band.

I also own Probook 450 G1 (E9Y30EA), but my device came with Qualcomm Atheros QCA9565 802.11b/g/n adapter, which only supports 2.4ghz band.

I have couple questions:

1. Based on this list, only 3 of them fit my needs:

● Intel Dual Band Wireless-AC 3160 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac (1x1) WiFi
with Bluetooth 4.0 combo

● Intel Dual Band Wireless-N 7260AN 802.11 a/b/g/n 2x2 WiFi + BT4.0

● BCM943228HM4L 802.11abgn 2x2 Wi-Fi Adapter and Broadcom Bluetooth 4.0 Adapter

I have question regarding this: First one says it supports "ac" standard, but is 1x1, while the other two only seem to support "a", but are 2x2. What's the difference and which one is more important in real-life, having "ac", or having "2x2"?

2. Are there multiple slots inside my laptop, meaning I can have both existing and new WiFi card, or I must replace the existing one?

3. Is there anything else I need to pay attention to? Like for example, which region am I from, BIOS and driver compatibility, etc?

Thanks in advance.

[pajser92]

I have only one question.

I also have Probook 450 G1 and want to upgrade my wireless network card.

You say that our laptop model is "too new" to be affected by the infamous "whitelist" problem. Does that mean I can upgrade to any NIC from this list of cards inside the manual, or to any NIC at all (with the same form factor ofc, which is Half Mini PCI-E)?

Because you recommended the Intel Dual-Band Wireless-AC 7260, which indeed is the best, but isn't listed in the service guide as one of NICs supported (the closest one to it is Wireless-N 7260, but they're still different).

Does that mean I can go with AC 7260 and be completely fine with it, even though that exact model isn't listed in service guide?

Thanks in advance.