Laptop Adapters
Depending on the laptop model, it may include internal adapters like a modem, wireless cards, or SSD storage. These components can be upgraded or added if they are missing to enhance the laptop’s features.
The term “modem” is becoming outdated and is rarely used today. It is starting to disappear from the market. In many cases, laptop components like cellular modules are now primarily labelled as Wireless Wide Area Network devices, with “modem” used only as a secondary term.
Different Types of Adapters
The most commonly used slot for laptop adapters is M.2, widely used for both storage and connectivity upgrades. It is common for M.2 to be used for Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and cellular.
CompTIA includes mSATA and Mini PCIe in the official study guide, but it’s unlikely they will appear on the exam.
mSATA is outdated and rarely encountered, except when working on an old laptop.
Mini PCIe is even older, making it even less likely you will come across it unless you are working on a very old laptop.
Different standards are not compatible. There are some adapters that can bridge the gap—like an M.2 to mSATA adapter. These adapters let older components work with newer systems, though the older technology is generally slower. Often, it’s more practical to buy a new device that uses the current standard rather than rely on an adapter. Also, due to size constraints, these adapters may not fit into older laptops, though they can be useful for retrieving data from outdated storage devices.
WWAN (Wireless Wide Area Network)
To enable cellular connectivity, laptops use a Wireless Wide Area Network or WWAN adapter, also known as a WWAN card. While not as common as standard Wi-Fi cards, a WWAN adapter is useful for accessing the internet in areas without reliable Wi-Fi networks.
WWAN adapters provide cellular connectivity, often 4G LTE or 5G. To function, the laptop must support SIM or eSIM and include the necessary antennas. The WWAN card alone does not add these. Many manufacturers restrict compatibility through firmware whitelists, so always verify the card is supported. Without antennas or SIM hardware, upgrading an old laptop for cellular is not possible.
A laptop with cellular support may either include a WWAN card or require one to be installed separately. Don’t assume that just because a laptop supports cellular, that the WWAN card is already included—always check the specifications.
Ensure your WWAN card is compatible with your laptop’s firmware. Many laptops only support approved WWAN cards, sometimes enforced by a firmware whitelist. Verify that the card you plan to purchase is supported by your laptop before buying.
Just like some laptops don’t include a WWAN card, they may also not include the antennas. Always verify the included components and compatibility before purchasing. Don’t assume it is included.
Replacing an adapter is a relatively straightforward process, provided you handle the delicate components carefully. In the real world, this kind of upgrade can be a cost-effective way to keep a laptop up to date, particularly if you’re looking for faster wireless standards or introducing cellular capabilities.
End screen
That concludes our look at upgrading adapter cards. I hope you have found this information useful, and I look forward to seeing you in the next video. Until next time, thanks for watching.
References
“The Official CompTIA A+ Core Study Guide (Exam 220-1101)” pages 278 to 279
“License CC BY 4.0” https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
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