Upgrade Hp Envy 15t Touch from 802.11bgn to 802.11ac

[pawarmandeep]

Hi,

I currently have HP ENVY 15t Touch Product number: G7Z03AV. It has the following network card:

802.11b/g/n WLAN and Bluetooth(R) [1x1]

This gives a frustratingly slow wireless speed. As i have 5Ghz router, i would like to upgrade to a 802.11ac adapter+Bluetooth (or better?)

How can i find the spare part number or specifications of the exact network card which will work in my laptop (correct form factor & specifications)?

Thanks!

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Hi:

Unfortunately, your model is one of those where the single band wifi adapters may only have one antenna connected to the wifi card, with no second antenna present.

Without two antennas present, you cannot upgrade to any dual band wifi adapter.

So, you will have to confirm that there are two antennas present prior to purchasing an internal wifi adapter.

Below is the link to the service manual for your PC.

The wifi adapter removal and replacement procedures can be found in chapter 6 on pages 59 & 60.

Do not rely on the illustration in the service manual to confirm that there are two antennas inside your notebook.

http://h10032.www1.hp.com/ctg/Manual/c04409752

If your notebook has two antennas, then get the Intel 7260 AC wifi adapter shown at the top of page 59.

[pawarmandeep]

Thanks Paul. I will need do some research /googlinghere as i am not sure how to determine number of antennas in my laptop. 

In the manual it does say that AC 7260 is only for HP17 notebooks but HP15 notebooks can potentially upgrade to AC3160. From pg 59:

Intel Dual Band Wireless-AC 3160 802.11 ac 1x1 WiFi + BT 4.0 combo adapter for use only with HP ENVY 17 Notebook PC computer models or HP ENVY 15 Notebook PC computer models 710662-005

Therefore, could i purchase the above as i do have HP15. Isnt that a safe bet? (I am keen to  jump on AC bandwagon and i am fine with not being on AC7260 as long as  AC3160 works).

[Paul_Tikkanen]

You're very welcome.

I see in the manual that it lists the Qualcomm Atheros AR9565 802.11bgn 1x1 Wi-Fi as one of the available cards.

If that is the one your notebook has, there is a very good chance that it has two antennas connected to it.

If your notebook has the Realtek RTL8188EE 802.11 b/g/n 1x1 Wi-Fi Adapter, there is a very good chance that there is only 1 antenna connected to that card.

You could get this Intel 7260 AC wifi adapter instead of the one listed in the service manual...

Intel Dual Band Wireless-AC 7260 802.11 ac 2x2 WiFi + BT 4.0                HP Part #710661-001

The card is readily available on Amazon or eBay, and works in many different model HP notebooks.

Do your search by the HP part number, not the model of the wifi card.

[pawarmandeep]

In Control Panel, under Network adapters i see the following:

1.Broadcom BCM43142 802.11 bgn Wi-Fi Adapter

2. Realtek PCIe GBE Family Controller

Is Broadcom same as Qualcomm? 

Also, to rephrase my earlier question, Can i opt for AC3160 if i have 1 antenna? Asking because as per spec/manual, HP15 laptops can have this.

"Do your search by the HP part number, not the model of the wifi card."  - That is some good advice. I have been burned earlier where i purchased based on product description and it was ultimately incompatible with my machine. 

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Hi,

Some of those model Broadcom cards come with one or two antennas.

The Intel 3160 will not work correctly with only one antenna.

It will either not work at all, or the reception will be terrible.

[pawarmandeep]

Gotcha! So perhaps only way for me to check is by rolling up my sleeves and start taking apart the screws.

If i find one antenna, i'll go back to life as i know it.

If i see 2 antennas, i will search ebay for the 7260 model using th number provided earlier.

Appreciate your help!

[Paul_Tikkanen]

Anytime.

Hopefully, your model has the older Broadcom version that needed two antennas.