Broadcom vs Intel wifi 5300

seems like a not brainer right? the intel should be a far superior card.
lets start off: My Systems
Intel 5300 system:
Lenovo Thinkpad T500 2.8Ghz intel core 2 duo T9600 cpu
3gb or ddr3 ram
intel igp
80GB intel SSD G1
WSGA LED screen
BroadCom system:
HP Tx2 touchsmart tablet pc
AMD Turion X2 ZM-74
4GB DDR2 memory
ati 3200 igp
...

both machines were tested Vista x64. the thinkpad was also tested with windows 7 with the same results as vista. I've also disabled both of the 'custom' network managers that shipped with either machine.

ok here is the reason I have come to the conclusion that broadcom is more reliable. is because there is a class in my uni that i cannot get internet in well atleast i couldn't with my thinkpad. after buying my touchsmart i proceeded to give it a try, and not only does it work in this room it also has a very 'strong' signal rating... I go back to the thinkpad... no connection, usually can't even see the etwork!

I'm just wondering why can this be? has anyone alse found similar results? this a HUGE difference. the difference between getting a strong internet connection and none at all is a big deal.

has anyone else observed similar results?


later today I am going to actually try testing speed...

 

Have you got any power saving activated on the intel card?
(via Device Manager)

 

I've had good results with Intel wireless myself but some things to consider:

Are you testing them at the same time? When testing one or the other move it at least 10 feet away from the other machine (and don't put them in-between the 'tested' system and the router its connecting to).

Test them from exactly the same location (switch machine locations).

This might be hard to test for (in your uni class) but the make/model of the router you're connecting to makes a difference to the test results too. Something to keep in mind or, try several different routers if you can.

Last, but not least is the antennae systems the two systems have - this can make more difference than the make of wireless card can.

Test for that by turning the systems around and seeing if any change is noticed - do note that it might take a couple of minutes (or more) in each orientation for the card/antennae to optimize themselves.

 

I don't have any power saver stuff on,

i m testing on my desk... i tried one system shut it down, put it in my bag pull out the other and test it. i do take two computers with me to uni every day. all the same distance, and i shut down each system while the other was tested to avoid interference...

 

Swap the wireless cards between laptops and see what happens.

 

He most likely cannot swap cards. Both HP and Lenovo have a card whitelist that will only permit certain cards to be used.

 

Each machine has a different antenna setup, that's why you are getting different signals.