Why Are Desktop NICs Bigger Than Laptop NICs?

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Megarocket16

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Feb 25, 2017
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Hello, first of all thanks for reading. I've always had this question, why are the network cards inside desktops bigger than those in laptops even though they may support the same type of connections? (ex. wireless n or ac)
And then there are those USB Wi-Fi things, do they work differently?
https://trick77.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/intel_gigabit_desktop_ct.jpg - desktop NIC
http://core0.staticworld.net/images/article/2013/07/12536141253615_chips_1160-100048283-orig.jpg - laptop NIC
https://ae01.alicdn.com/kf/HTB1Mv41QXXXXXc.XVXXq6xXFXXXY/Factory-Price-Hot-Selling-High-Quality-Wireless-150Mbps-USB-Adapter-WiFi-802-11n-150M-Network-Lan.jpg - USB NIC
 
Solution
Robert Cook
part of it is because they can be. Also they need to be a certain size to meet the PCIE slot size specs, and the support slots at the back of the case. PCIE cards with antenna are almost always much better than USB ones.
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Megarocket16

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Thanks! So the desktop ones are faster? What if I'm comparing a laptop NIC with wireless ac to a desktop NIC with wireless n?
 
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Robert Cook

Robert Cook

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AC wireless is pretty great. compared to a standard generic desktop one I would say it would be better.

as for desktop versus laptop being faster, there are some super high end desktop ones that are faster, but a standard one is likely the same if not slightly better than a laptop one.

 
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nzalog

nzalog

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A lot of desktop boards actually work with this "laptop NICs" but yeah "laptop NICs" have standards they have to fit into. So when you are designing a PCIE slot NIC why put yourself into some box and not just use the space available.
 
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