Is there any reason to get wifi PCI card?

I have a T60 (87445BU model). It comes with an internal ThinkPad 11a/b/g/n Wi-Fi wireless receiver. I use my laptop upstairs and my router is in my basement (DI-624). The signal I get with my laptop is always 1 or 2 bar (low or very low).

I'm just wondering how good in IBM's internal receiver and if I would get something much better. BTW, any recommendation for PCI card?

I tried making a corner reflector using cardboard and tin foil. No luck boosting my signal.

 

1. Open up your laptop and unhook the antenna. Hook up an external, high gain antenna straight to the card's antenna jack. (routing wires might require modding)
2. get a high power card (perhaps with external antenna connectors). ubiquiti is known for making excellent wifi devices. http://www.ubnt.com/

also, i just ordered this: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?item=N82E16833168023 best performing product for the price i could find....it's usb though.....

 

or replace the dlink router with real router such as linksys wrt54g

 

Hmm... the wrt54g does look like my cheapest alternative

 

Would the basic wrt54g with the firmware be good enough to go through several walls of the house?

 

The Atheros based card you have is supposed to be even better than the Intel option, so I'm surprised. As for a replacement, you'll find that if you google "1802 error" a road of heartache may lie before you. A PCMCIA/USB/ExpressCard option may be the easiest option.

If you can implement one of the mini-pci-e workarounds though, then I was going to say you should get an EnGenius (Senao) EMP-8602. It's pretty powerful. However, Senao, and that Ubiquiti product range, don't have any mini-pci-e options yet.

Ubiquiti looks as if they have Senao beat, but on top of just being mini-pci, their range is embedded mini-pci. Those cards are for mini-pci based outdoor access points. There's no way you can fit them in a laptop, despite the interface, and most look like they only have MC or MCX connectors. (Laptops need U.FL)

It's moot for you though. You have mini-pci-e. As for a mini-pci-e N card, you have a good one. Routing the cables externally means buying U.FL to RP-SMA pigtails, and drilling holes in the chassis for the jacks. At worst you'll wreck your machine, at least void the warranty. Not worth it.

I don't know how much better you can do so far without going to PCMCIA/USB etc. That EnGenius USB adapter from Newegg is a good buy. I'm thinking about getting one myself, although an "EXT" version of their A/B/G USB adapter will be coming soon too. For PCMCIA, this Ubiquiti looks amazing, although Senao has some 200mw ones of their own as well.

Lots of options, as you can see.

 

just a follow up: I have recieved the EUB-362EXT (yeah, only took two days to get to me)(!)
It is amazing....very small size, and gets great reception (it's better than the atheros 5212 I have in my desktop...which has a huge antenna on it)