T420 - Either Webcam or Intel 6300 WiFi?

I have read that the difference between Intel Advanced-N 6205 and 6300 is that the latter has 3 antennas instead of 2. Also, in one of the threads, the OP argued that the third antenna is placed where the webcam would otherwise be, and mentioned that if you choose to have a webcam you lose the advantage of the third antenna with the 6300? Can anyone confirm this?

I have already ordered my T420 without a camera as I value stronger signal over the occasional use of the webcam. However, if the above is not true, I will rather have both the 3x3 WiFi and a webcam. I hope you can clear my doubts and I can make changes to my order before it's finalized.

Thanks.

 

When I customize a T420 it lets me order the camera and 6300 together.

 

My T420 also came with webcam and a 6300 wireless card.

 

Yeah, I know it lets you get both 6300 and the webcam, but the argumemt was that the camera takes up the space of the third antenna. That is, you get a WiFi card capable of supporting three antennas but only with two antennas actually working.

 

Hardware service manual shows five wlan/wwan cables (3 wlan, 2wwan) along with the camera cables so that's not the case.

 

I to read that having both the 3x3 and camera causes the 3x3 to be blocked or something like this, so making the 3x3 into a 2x2 instead. Wish the member that posted this with pictures would weigh in on this question. Too late for me. Ordered the 3x3 without camera.

 

AFAIK even if you order the Thinkpad T series with only an Intel Centrino 1000 (1x2) it still comes with 3 antennas already built into the case. Mine did and i got the 6300 from eBay and just plugged it in. The white antenna cable was already in there tucked to the side waiting to be plugged in.

So the point is even if you get the 6205 they'll still put 3 antennas in there anyways so the camera placement or whatever shouldn't matter. On the T410 i had IIRC, the WWAN antennas were on the right lower corner, WLAN 1 right High, Top middle and left side of the LCD. I'm sure we could pull it up in the tabook to show specifics also.

 

Again, a photo was shown on the T420 model, with the owner opting for both the 3x3 and camera, but the set up clearly showed only two antennas, not three. Hate to read through all the threads trying to find it.

 

Chat Transcript
Please wait while we connect with you with a Lenovo Chat Representative.
You have been connected to _Crystal H.
_Crystal H: Thank you for choosing Lenovo chat service. My name is Crystal and my rep ID is QE2. What can I help you with today?
austin: Hello. I am configuring a T420 and have a quick question
_Crystal H: sure
austin: I have read somewhere that if you choose both Intel Ultimate-N 6300 WiFi card and the built-in camera, then you will not be able to take advantage of the third antenna as it is placed where the camera is
austin: turning the 3x3 card into a 2x2 card
austin: is this correct? can you, please, talk to your tech people?
_Crystal H: Sure .. one moment
_Crystal H: Only on certain models.. that does not apply to the T420 model
austin: this is great to hear. thanks much.

 

Actually, you maybe wrong. Antennas along the side of the screen is not what is being talked about, but the PCI Express Mini Card for the wireless LAN that one can see if looking at the T420 hardware maintenance manual page 84. That is where the issue is and shows three antennas connectors from the mini card, and the photo that I saw has one of them being occupied by the 720p camera cable.

I do not put too much faith in the customer support people at this time. They have been wrong before, but then again we could be wrong as well.

Anyone who has the camera/3x3 could open up the system to check if they are all being used by the 3x3 or only two

 

I'm confident from the manual image in my post. If 3wlan cables are present at the base of the screen along with the camera cable, all three wlan cables will obviously be there at the card (this is based on the manual being accurate which it has been in my experience).

Looks like the X220 is one of the models where the 6300 option is conditional. It's not competing with the camera, but the mSATA ssd instead. Sucks since I wanted both, but mSATA wins easily.

I don't understand though why these two are mutually exclusive though since mSATA ssd goes in the wwan slot.

1.
12.5" HD (1366x768) LED Backlit Display, Mobile Broadband Ready, 2x2 Antenna
2.
[$0.00]
12.5" HD (1366x768) LED Backlit Display, Mobile Broadband Ready, 3x3 Antenna
3.
[$0.00]
12.5" HD (1366x768) LED Backlit Display, 2x2 Antenna, Mini SSD Capable
4.
[add $37.50]
12.5" Premium HD (1366x768) LED Backlit Display, Mobile Broadband Ready, 2x2 Antenna
5.
[add $37.50]
12.5" Premium HD (1366x768) LED Backlit Display, Mobile Broadband Ready, 3x3 Antenna
6.
[add $37.50]
12.5" Premium HD (1366x768) LED Backlit Display, 2x2 Antenna, Mini SSD Capable

 

I think I read that on the X201 and X200, there was the issue where if it was ordered with both the 3x3 antenna and the webcam, the third antenna wasn't hooked up, or something of that sort. I don't think it applies to the T-series, though.

 

Why are mSATA and 6300 mutually exclusive though since mSATA ssd goes in the wwan slot?