DailyTech - Draft-N Coming to Dell Notebooks

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Gadgets Draft-N Coming to Dell Notebooks
Brandon Hill (Blog) - June 13, 2006 2:44 PM

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4 comment(s) - last by KristopherKubi.. on Jun 13 at 8:26 PM

Although the 802.11n spec hasn't been finalized, draft standard products are still rolling out

Even though the full 802.11n spec hasn't been ratified, it's not stopping manufacturers from shipping products using the draft standard. Lab tests have shown that 802.11n draft standard products are having issues with legacy 802.11g networks, performance is sporadic at times and it's not guaranteed that 802.11n draft standard products will be upgradeable to the final 802.11n spec.

Despite these concerns, sources are reporting that Dell is going ahead with plans to release notebooks in Q3 that utilize 802.11n draft standard wireless modules. The modules would be provided by Taiwanese manufacturers who are quickly ramping up production this quarter. DigiTimes reports:

Market information related to Dell's orders began to circulate in the local channel amid reports that Taiwan WLAN-device makers have started to increase output of the pre-N devices, with their combined shipments to exceed one million units in the second quarter, the sources noted.

While Dell may be looking to Taiwan for Draft-N modules, it’s likely that Intel will be getting much of their business in 2007 when Kedron 802.11n wireless modules make an appearance.

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Draft-N, Same as Pre-N

By illuvatar81 on 6/13/2006 4:43:05 PM , Rating: 2

Is it? The pre-N hardware that started rolling out half a year ago was stated not to work or be compatible with N when it was finalized. Now youre saying Draft-N. Is that the same as Pre-N or is it another form of N that wont be compatible?

RE: Draft-N, Same as Pre-N

By Lakku on 6/13/2006 5:03:29 PM , Rating: 2

Pre-N and Draft-N are different. Pre-N were products based on a companies predicition of what the N standard would be, or were trying to emulate to the best of their ability a N standard network. Draft-N products follow the recently released Pre-N draft, which is the first draft of the N standard. This means they are actually following what should be, or be close to, the final N standard. Netgear claims their draft-N routers will work with final N products, so hopefully these draft N products will be just fine for future use.

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