fladda
12-09-2002, 08:06 AM
Best 802.11b card to use with the Netbook is the Lucent Orinoco (and derivatives). This card has excellent RF performance and also a pretty low power consumption.
However, the good RF performance comes at the price of a larger than life antenna on the PCMCIA card. Unfortunately due to some inept design work by Psion, the Orinoco 802.11b card's internal antenna stops the stylus from being extracted or inserted into the Netbook.
Only real workaround is to use another 802.11b card, or to put the stylus somewhere else when the Netbook is not being used. For a static Netbook the stylus can be stored in the small 'valley' above the Netbook label above the keyboard, fitting snugly under the LCD screen. However I suspect that this would scratch the screen if the Netbook was moved during transit, or whatever.
I suggest that best way forward is to use a special 'cut-down' Orinoco card ! Carefully remove the black plastic antenna cover from the Orinoco card. This is quite difficult. Cut out the plastic that is snagging the stylus. Put the cover back on.
Now you have a fully working 802.11b Orinoco card on a Netbook where the stylus can extracted as normal. Not the best cosmetic solution, but a good practical compromise IMHO.
I'll send Mr Diem a photo of my modified Orinoco card to put on his excellent website - where matters Netbook 802.11b feature bit time. Mr Diem's website is recommended reading for prospective Netbook 802.11b users.
Ralph
However, the good RF performance comes at the price of a larger than life antenna on the PCMCIA card. Unfortunately due to some inept design work by Psion, the Orinoco 802.11b card's internal antenna stops the stylus from being extracted or inserted into the Netbook.
Only real workaround is to use another 802.11b card, or to put the stylus somewhere else when the Netbook is not being used. For a static Netbook the stylus can be stored in the small 'valley' above the Netbook label above the keyboard, fitting snugly under the LCD screen. However I suspect that this would scratch the screen if the Netbook was moved during transit, or whatever.
I suggest that best way forward is to use a special 'cut-down' Orinoco card ! Carefully remove the black plastic antenna cover from the Orinoco card. This is quite difficult. Cut out the plastic that is snagging the stylus. Put the cover back on.
Now you have a fully working 802.11b Orinoco card on a Netbook where the stylus can extracted as normal. Not the best cosmetic solution, but a good practical compromise IMHO.
I'll send Mr Diem a photo of my modified Orinoco card to put on his excellent website - where matters Netbook 802.11b feature bit time. Mr Diem's website is recommended reading for prospective Netbook 802.11b users.
Ralph