Maybe stupid but simple question, can a laptops wireless card work in a desktop?

Toggle sidebar Toggle sidebar
Design Factor

Design Factor

Reputable
Feb 22, 2015
38
0
4,540
I have a old laptop and I was wondering what Can I salvage from it for my recently new desktop, in particular my wireless card? Please state anything else that can be salvaged, oh and thanks to all that respond!
 
Solution
techgeek
Typically nothing can be used when it comes to laptop parts in desktops. Hard drives could be used. If it's new enough to have a SATA drive. However you'd need a case that has 2.5" drive brackets or you'd have to buy a 2.5" to 3.5" drive adapter to mount it. As for wireless card, is this a USB adapter? If it's not, you won't be able to use this either. Internal wireless cards for laptops are not compatible with a desktop.
Sort by date Sort by votes
techgeek

techgeek

Splendid
Apr 11, 2004
5,297
9
29,965
Typically nothing can be used when it comes to laptop parts in desktops. Hard drives could be used. If it's new enough to have a SATA drive. However you'd need a case that has 2.5" drive brackets or you'd have to buy a 2.5" to 3.5" drive adapter to mount it. As for wireless card, is this a USB adapter? If it's not, you won't be able to use this either. Internal wireless cards for laptops are not compatible with a desktop.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
Solution
atheus

atheus

Distinguished
Aug 2, 2010
669
0
19,160
Assuming your new desktop isn't a NUC or something, chances are the only thing you'd be able to pull out of a laptop is the HDD or SSD, though that isn't guaranteed. Laptops usually use 2.5" HDD's or SSD's, but sometimes they use 1.8" versions, or mSATA or M.2 type drives, which may or may not be compatible with your new desktop.

The wireless card is more than likely integrated into the motherboard of your laptop. Chances are there is nothing worth salvaging out of it for a new desktop— as even the hard drive (or whatever you have) is not likely to be useful, even if it is compatible, since an old laptop HDD is probably no larger than 500GB (probably less than that) and pretty slow.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
mx_mp210

mx_mp210

Honorable
May 25, 2013
131
0
10,710
Well don't salvage old laptop, instead use it as portable entertainment device or use it for remote desktop. Possibilities are endless as a thin client. You can also use it for internet browsing and light weight stuff or even as backup computer.

Technically it's true,you can only use HDD with proper enclosure, but is it worth doing so? May be selling it might even fetch you more headroom on budget for your desktop.
 
Upvote 1 Downvote
C

ceh4702

Distinguished
Jan 1, 2011
305
0
18,790
I have a gigabyte motherboard which was sold with a centrino ac wireless card. You have to have a mini PCI-Express card slot to put it in. Someone may make some adapters. Some MINI-ITX boards may have this option. You might be better off with a USB wireless adapter. Most motherboards just dont have MINI PCI EXPRESS slots.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Latest posts

Moderators online

Share this page

COMPANY
RESOURCES
FOLLOW
Top Bottom