T61 and Wifi cards

Hi Guys,

I'm thinking I made one mistake when purchasing my T61. I ordered the standard Atheros-based a/b/g Wifi card, with the idea that it is fairly compatible across multiple operating systems, such as Ubuntu. I figured I could upgrade to the Intel 4965AGN later.

The more I'm looking at this, the more it appears that the a/b/g configuration may come with only 2 antennae instead of the three that would be there if I had gotten a 4965AGN. Is this correct, or is the standard a/b/g card a MIMO model with three antennae? If so, how easy is it to add a third antenna(for someone that has disassembled other brands of laptops for repair in the past)?

I'm also thinking it may be more difficult than I thought, due to IBM/Lenovo's practice of locking out other vendors. Will a generic Intel 4965AGN card work, or does it have to be one with an IBM/Lenovo FRU, set to match a specific ID?

 

I think you are best off with the Atheros card.

Yes the bios will check for a Lenovo card.

 

I'm trying to make up my mind about what wireless card to get.

Since I know nothing about networking, I'm very curious about your reasoning here, Renee.

 

Apparently, an Atheros a/b/g/n card is out there too; I didn't see it available for build-to-order, I'm guessing that Lenovo switched to Intel for Draft-n cards and dropped the Atheros card (the Atheros a/b/g/n is going for a shocking $88 on Ebay, ouch).

Renee, do you know if T61's with the Atheros card have the third antenna, either for MIMO, or disconnected but there for future uprgrades?

Thanks!

 

Well, there's one consensus that is probably out there --that the Intel 3945 a/b/g card isn't worth getting. There have been driver quirks for some people with Intel 3945-based cards, and it's generally acknowledged (this is regardless of Lenovo or its ThinkPad line) that Atheros chipsets are better supported across mutiple operating systems (Windows, Linux, etc.) and work well.

Draft-N 2.0 Wireless has its pros and cons. It isn't an official standard yet, and so enterprises are reluctant to upgrade to Draft-N equipment should the final standard vary from it. However, most cards that do Draft-N 2.0 (like Intel's 4965AGN) support wireless a/b/g standards (wireless G is the one you'll want to be most concerned with), and Draft-N adds one additional feature (in addition to increased theoretical speeds) that not all cards have: MIMO (Multiple-In, Multiple Out).

MIMO adds a third antenna to wifi cards, and with a compatible MIMO access point, will transmit on one Wifi frequency and receive on another. It's faster, can be a little more robust in the face of interference, and can boost the range slightly.

To benefit, you really need either a MIMO-compatible 802.11g router/access point, or a Draft-N router/WAP (since MIMO is standard in Draft-N). So for many, a/b/g is plenty good. In my case, I just wish to keep my options open for upgrade later. Draft-N also has a theoretical max throughput of 110Mbps (802.11g has a theoretical max of 54Mbps); in reality, you're unlikely to get the maximum speed over either standard, although Draft-N is nice if you planned on streaming HD video from a network to your laptop.

 

Thanks for this, LoneWolf.

 

LoneWolf,
Not sure of the answers to all your questions but I will say that I went for Intel ABGN. I think Atheros is supported in Linux, using something called MadWifi, but I don't know how well it is supported. Intel has always been more opensource friendly with opensource drivers for Linux. Things still say draft-N but there are a lot of new routers(ex: belkin) that are using N that are selling very well. Also I read that most likely this draft will become the one that is accepted in the final N version. I wanted to keep my machine for a long time and for it to be futureproof. These were the reasons for me to go to Intel N. This is just theoretical, I will have to see in practice

 

In my T61p with the Intel 4965, I see in the recent Linux Live CDs that it is fully supported to include both N mode and WPA2 PSK encryption.

 

"Since I know nothing about networking, I'm very curious about your reasoning here, Renee."

I've had a chance to use a 3945 and an Atheros in a 3000 N100 and I wouldn't have a 3945 and I did replace it with an Atheros card. There was a day and night improvement in the front end sensitivity when I did that.

I find that the t61p with it's sophisticated antenna system and a 4965AGN is still not as sensitive as the 3000 n100 with the Atheros but it is acceptable.

I'm sorry that can't comment on the antenna's because my systems all came with the two cables array built in. I don't think there are any one cable systems out there since all the new cards are dual band with diversity.

But I would always choose an Atheros over an Intel wifi card.

 

Thanks for this, Renee.

 

So --I haven't heard from anyone yet on the answer to my original question (so that this doesn't get too far off the rails).

Do any of you have a Thinkpad with the standard a/b/g WiFi card? If so, is the third antenna there so that you can upgrade to an 802.11n card in the future?

If not, have any of you actually added the third antenna yourself and upgraded the card? How easy/difficult was it (for someone who has some experience doing these sorts of things) and what was involved?

 

I looked inside my t61 with the thinkpad abg card and it does not have a third antenna

 

Oh and one more thing. I did call lenovo service in atlanta last month and asked them spicifacly about changing out the abg card for a abgn one at some time in the future. The tech guy said that it was a pretty easy change and that the 3rd antenna was there in all t61's located in the screen. So, this may be true because when I looked inside mine I only went as far as the fan. If a wire was in the screen and needed to be pulled through I would have not seen it.

anyway, it seems like there is not much real infomation about this and at least for now I could not be happier with the thinkpad abg card. I noticed they have fallen off the option list on the order page too. The abg intel card is currently the standard default with the intel abgn card the only option.