T400's System expansion slots and Wireless card

Hello,

I will be a college student in three weeks and about to purchase Lenovo T400.

I would like to get some advice on what options to choose, because reading "Help Me Decide" doesn't help me understanding what the options are.

The options I would like to get clarity are System expansion slots and Wireless card.

System expansion slots
Express Card Slot & PC Card Slot
Express Card Slot & Smart Card Reader [add $7.50]
Express Card Slot & 7-1 Media Card Reader [add $7.50]
Which one is really necessary?
I frequently have used Media Card Reader on my desktop to transfer my picture files from my digital camera,but I am not sure what PC Card Slot and Smart Card Reader. I can connect my digital camera using the usb cable, so media card is not required.
Which of the three options is really useful?


Wireless card
A wireless card must be selected to connect to a wireless network.
ThinkPad 11b/g Wireless LAN Mini PCI Express Adapter III
Intel WiFi Link 5100 (AGN) [add $30.00]
Intel WiFi Link 5300 (AGN) [add $45.00]
What makes Intel WiFi Link 5300 better that it is more expensive than 5100?

Thanks everyone reading this post!

 

to answer your second question first, the 5300 has three antennas instead of one which will really help your wifi signal strength and range. plus its only $15 more so why not get the better one.

if you do use a media card reader on your current pc. i highly recommend getting that in your laptop as well. and express card slots are good thats the most commonly used slot nowadays i think!

 

i second ali88.

5300 for sure because of the upgrade. The difference of $15 with the 5100 is negligible.

I would also recommend the 7-1 media car reader since you do frequently use it. PC Card slot is basically obsoleted already and express card has replaced it. Smart Card Reader is basically for business transfer.. it reads cards with this golden chip on it.

 

"would also recommend the 7-1 media car reader since you do frequently use it. "
No.

First, it's a 4 in 1.
Second, the media card slot on the T400 is not very well build and will generate extra flex.

go with the PC card slot, then buy a 6 in 1 pc card adapter if you really want the media card slots. You will have more flexibility and a more solid lappy.

"What makes Intel WiFi Link 5300 better that it is more expensive than 5100?"
More solid communication.

IMO, if you only use your wireless card to connect to internet, the ThinkPad 11b/g Wireless LAN Mini PCI Express Adapter III is enough.

 

Why would you intentionally cripple your future connectivity options over such a small cost? IMO, just get the 5300 and be done with it. Especially in high-tech businesses, don't be the guy that degrades everyone else's connection because your computer can't support N.

 

I disagree.

Technically, it is a 7-1 -> （SD / SD HC / xD / xD Type H / MMC / MS / MS-PRO）

A PC Card slot without a card or blank in it, it won't be any less flex than the card reader. Also, PC Card is very old and slow, if he or she doesn't own any PC Card already or needs to use something that's old and only available in PC Card form, there is really no point to have it. Anyone that would buy a new card device today would definitely get a ExpressCard version. Everything is coming out in ExpressCard 34 and 54.

I'd say go with the 5300, because it supports all four a/b/g/n networks, the ThinkPad one supports only b and g.

 

nicodemus and stewie just read my mind... I second them both.

 

I agree with nicodemus and stewie as well.

I have my T400 here with the media card reader. The primary flex when you push down firmly on the palm rest is in the ExpressCard slot area. I see no flex/movement of the media card reader portion.

IMHO flex is overblown. The current design of Thinkpads is essentially an endoskeleton over which there's a plastic skin. That skin flexes more than the "exoskeleton" design we're used to seeing.

What counts is does the system work, and does it continue to work throughout its expected useful lifetime? Time will tell.

All I know is I have zero regrets for buying my T400.

 

i also agree with nicodemus and stewie. and dont worry flex wont kill you.

 

Thanks everyone!!!