Samsung S7 Edge no connect to Dell E6500

All,

One of our salesreps got a new S7 Edge (Verizon). The mobile wifi hotspot
work with all the devices he has /except/ his Dell E6500 laptop (Win7 HP).
He got frustrated and called Verizon support. They told him his laptop is
too old and that's why it won't connect.

Does this pass the smell test? Guess I'll researching what wifi encryption
levels are available on the 2 devices, but that's the first time I've heard
that one.

Thanks.