Some experience with upgrading Wi-Fi modules in PC laptops

Authors

Abstract

This article investigates the feasibility of upgrading Wi-Fi modules in older PC laptops to comply with modern IEEE 802.11 standards, aiming to enhance network performance. Experimental results show that modern Wi-Fi adapters significantly improve throughput and efficiency, particularly in the 5 GHz band. However, challenges such as driver availability, BIOS whitelists, and hardware compatibility must be taken into account. The findings suggest that Wi-Fi upgrades can extend the usability of older laptops cost-effectively, with future research planned to explore newer standards and configurations.

Additional Files

Published

2026-05-16

Issue

Section

Wireless and Mobile Communications