ThinkPad wireless vs. intel to rest

alright now I know this gets brought up all the time on this forum. So here is the definitive answer


thinkpad wireless blows the intel away.

I had to get the intel on my preconfigured laptop because of the student discount. So I bought the thinkpad card on the side.


so I'm at my work (toll booth) first day I got it with the intel card in it.
I got ONE connection to show up. About 5-10% range.


So I install the thinkpad card the next day and go into work. Holy crap was I amazed. There are now EIGHT networks and 3 of them are in the 90-70% range.

The difference is absolutely unbelievable. I live in with just a few houses around. With the intel card I didn't think anyone had wireless around me. Put in the thinkpad and all of a sudden all my neighbors have wireless.


So just wanted to get this out here because I never really heard someone talk about a switch from one to the other. Only hear about friends with diffrence cards.

 

It is my one regret that when I had a choice several months ago, on the ThinkPad web order site, that I chose Intel wireless vs. ThinkPad wireless. (They were cost equivalent.) The Centrino sticker is that effective a marketing tool. If only I had read a few comments or asked a question about it beforehand.

Everything I've read since my purchase points to ThinkPad wireless as superior to what I now have.

But now I've got this great sticker on my palmrest.

 

I've had similar experiences. At my campus library my friend's dell with an intel card only picked up one or two access points while my card was able to pick up around 10-15 with almost all of them 80% or better.

 

Yongren, can't you just swap the Intel card for an Atheros one? It wouldn't even have to be a "Thinkpad" card - you can get an Atheros based mini-pci WIFI card (such as the Gigabyte brand) for pretty cheap ($30-40). Just search froogle.com for "WIAG02"

Anyway, I'm not sure if the cards can be swapped easily (I'm sure someone will chime in) but if so, it might be worth the swap.

 

I would definately do a swap if someone chimes in and says its good.

 

Thanks for the info. It's been a problem on a few occasions, but I can live with it for now. It's good to know there are relatively inexpensive alternatives if I need to go Atheros.

Thanks again.

 

I ordered my t60p a few months ago and have been extremely happy with it. since I didn't order from lenovo, I didn't have the option of configuring the wireless card, so was stuck with the intel brand. I just purchased the atheros one from an online retailer so it should be here in a few days. my question is what is the procedure in swapping out the cards? Do I need to solder anything or its just plug and unplug? Can someone that has swapped chime in or someone with the know how? I have applied AS5 and added a gig of ram so far, so I'm not a complete noob when tinkering with my laptop. But a mini guide would be helpful if its somewhat complicated.

 

I'm sorry but I simply can't believe that.

Starting to think that some intel-cards are performing crappy rather than atheros being good. Sure Atheros is known for good reception but results like that are unbelievable.

That would make the intel card next to useless and my experience have been great. Never found a laptop that has better reception than my x60s with intel.

And I seriousely doubt that Atheros is 10 times better than anything else on the market...

 

Agreed, this is hardly a scientific experiment. You need more samples and to test something other than displayed signal strength.

 

Well I'm just saying the results I got.

I had the intel and then swapped it for the atheros...


The results are unbelievable.




and for the above posts swapping out is simple..just go on the x60 section on the support site. They even have videos how to do it.

 

My new T60WS has a/b/g/n wifi card made by Broadcom, which is bad. It could lose all five signals which are all good when the card is working. I have to reboot then.

 

Does the IBM wireless card drain more battery power?

The IBM wireless card configuration doesn't include a Centrino sticker though.

 

I swapped out the Intel PRO/Wireless 2200BG card in my T43 for an ThinkPad-branded Atheros Mini-PCI II 802.11a/b/g card a few months ago because I got fed up with the poor and unreliable performance of the Intel card. It had trouble connecting to almost anything, and kept dropping connections when it did manage to get on a network. The new card is great in comparison - it almost always connects right away and it rarely drops a connection.

I haven't noticed any real differences in reception, and I'd imagine that receptions is dependent more on the antenna (which is fantastic in our ThinkPads; not so much in Dells) than the wireless card. People have said that the Atheros card runs a little hotter and uses a little more power than the Intel one, and I'd be inclined to agree with that. I don't think it's anything major, though.

The swap, by the way, was quite easy. I had to perform a little voodoo to get the card properly seated in the slot (actually, I didn't even get it right the first time), but once that's done, it's a simple matter of plugging the antenna leads in to the holes in the card. As far as swapping the default card in a ThinkPad out with a card that is not ThinkPad-branded goes, I think a BIOS hack may be required to convince the laptop to actually recognize the new wireless card. From my point of view, it's safer and easier to just spend a little extra on the ThinkPad card.

 

I have a brand new T60 20077JU that had the Intel card, and then I swapped to the Atheros based Thinkpad one.

Reception was minimal at best with the Intel card around the house, and with my prior experience with the Atheros cards in other laptops, I had to get one. I found one for ~30 bucks after a coupon from Buy.com, and installed it last weekend. Right from the start I was picking up a AP across the street at my neighbors house that I never was able to get a stable connection to. Now I could connect to it without any drop out problems.

Another interesting part was the power consumption. With all settings staying the same, the Atheros card was able to go into a lower sleep/power saving state when idle, compared to the Intel card. Dropped from around the 17.63 watt range down into the 17.38 range.

Oh yea, another nice benefit is the lack of balloon popups from the bottom of my screen every 15-20 minutes

 

Do you mean because the Intel card was dropping the connection and then re-connecting? Or does the Atheros card somehow dispel those (annoying) balloons entirely?

Chris

 

The intel card was dropping and reconnecting every so often. Those balloons are close to impossible to disable though.

 

Yeah, I found the video instruction on how to do the swap, it looks very simple, I should have no problem with it. Currently I'm getting disconnected every 30 min or so, not sure why. Another strange thing thats happened is even when I CAN get online, I can't seem to connect to my NAS, while my desktop thats hardwired to the router, CAN. Hopefully I'll get it early next week cause I'm getting really tired of BS.
btw, I got it for $49 including shipping from this online retailer. I believe most including lenovo sells it for $49 plus shipping.

 

I must be blind, anyone have an URL to the page with the video?

Do the internal card just connect to a PCMCIA connection inside? Or is it a special card for internal use?

If you could use it for 'external' use as well I might be interested, that way you could connect it to an huge antenna and get wifi access all over the world
(just a small step toward my plan to rule the earth )

 

What do you guys do with the Intel card afterwards?

 

The internal card goes in to a mini-PCI (or mini-PCI-E) slot in the laptop. It looks just like what you would find on the motherboard of a desktop PC, just smaller. Getting it in there requires some slightly fancy fingerwork, as you have to rotate it downwards while pushing it in, but it's not difficult.

Mine is currently sitting in the anti-static bag that the Atheros card came in in a drawer. I've been considering trying to unload it on some hapless fool, but I'll probably just keep it as a spare.

 

Just want to say, for the record, that I have no complaints with my Intel card. My signal at home can be slightly weak when I'm two rooms away, but then my house's walls are built like a bomb shelter's -- brick, metal and plaster.

Other places, like on campus and in coffeeshops, airports, etc., I have no problems at all. Are all you guys stealing signals or what?

Chris

 

who isnt?? lol

 

go to lenovo's web site and in the search box, type this exactly: hardware removal and installation - thinkpad t60/p
this will take you to the correct page.

those those that wants to look for this card from, just type in the part number in froogle and it'll give you a list of vendors. look for the parts number in lenovo's site.

 

It goes onto a steel plate, which is then smashed with a hammer many times... actually, its in an antistatic baggie just in case I have to send something in for a warranty repair.

 

I bought the atheros card right from lenovo for 30bucks with the student discount.

Simple install

Intel is now sitting in my desk

 

Link? The lowest price I can find on Lenovo's is $41.65.

 

You need to call about the student discount. I'd buy it for 40bucks in a second

 

First, I do have the "ThinkPad" wireless in my thinkpad and it works fine ... For the Intel, I have it in both the Dell's at my house. Works fine and has good range, but I DON'T use the Intell wireless software. I (obviously) use the driver, but let windows manage the settings. The Intel Software I think is a cause of many of the issues.

 

Good point DJ. BTW, how much of this 'student discount' mensioned save on the price of a laptop? Is it applicable on EPP or already discounted machines through Credit card deals?

 

How about driver support for Atheros bought outside of Lenovo? Do you get those from Atheros or do you have to go to Lenovo? The reason is that I got my Atheros a/b/g/n card with purchase of T60, and the only place for drivers is @ Lenovo where they are not being updated as often. So, I was hoping there is a direct Atheros site for driver updates?

 

Could be, but are you having any problems? If everything is working like it should, is there a need for the newest drivers? Usually OEM's go with the most stable drivers or firmware, and only update if there is a serious flaw that would warrant an update.

 

No, everything is working fine now since I completely uninstalled ThinkVantage Access Connection and switched to D-Link DIR655 Xtreme-N router. I just don't believe there has not been any Atheros driver updates since 10/24/06 (the latest driver posted on Lenovo site for a/b/g/n card).

 

Ok, update.

I ordered the Atheros mini pci express card from an online retailer on Thurs with regular ups ground shipping, got it on Mon. now that was faster than I expected it. It took me all about less than 2 minutes to unscrew everything, take out the palm rest, keyboard, old card, install the new card and put everything back in place, and this is only my 2nd time opening up the palm rest and such, first time was installing RAM. The process cannot be simpler for those who are looking to do the same. As far as installing the drivers for it, when you turn your laptop on for the first time, you'll get a new hardware detected message. I cancelled it out, ran Thinkvantage update and it automatically detected whatever I need to install and downloaded the appropriate drivers and software for it, EASY!

Before with the Intel card, I saw only about 2 or 3 other routers nearby, but after installing this card, wow, I saw AT LEAST 14 or more, its just amazing what this card can pick up. and no more disconnecting from my router. I get a constant connection now which is great. Best $49 bucks I have spent.

 

Is there a Repair PDF or something? For the life of me I can't seem to find it.

Oh what Online retailer did you go through btw?

 

from www.ptusainc.com
its on sale for $42 plus shipping.

 

Ok, maybe someone can help me out. I removed my Intel card and installed the Thinkpad card...everything seemed ok. I turned on my computer and like Outrigger, cancelled the "found new hardware" bubble and tried the Thinkvantage update but it wants to connect to the internet to do the update. Obviously with no card configured I can't connect to the internet. I feel like a moron - what step did I miss or am I missing?

 

use wire instead of wireless?

 

yea I'm a moron...I'll blame it on the bad head cold I have right now.

Thanks z_24.

Well, as almost everybody else has testified, I'll join the ranks. I can see about triple the amount of networks to connect to.

 

I'm glad someone else saw the same results as me with the card switch. Thats for all you intel users that say its impossible.....


Nice job, easy to switch out.

 

This is definately going to be my first upgrade. The intel's performance seems lackluster.

 

So glad I did do the upgrade you won't be sorry

 

If the FRU # isn't listed for your product that means it absolutely can't fix right?

Oh what's the opinion on the a/b/g/n Thinkpad model? Is it as good as the a/b/g ?

 

I'm sure it will be the same, with the bonus 'n' feature. Hmm, i'm wondering, if the wireless is not listed - only "Bluetooth" is - whether it will be the Intel Wireless or the ThinkPad Atheros card...

 

You've seen that Ebay ad too?

Our bluetooth runs off an entirely different antenna/chip right?

 

Bluetooth is independent of the wireless card, as far as I know it is a component that can be installed even after market (or at the least be a peripheral).

 

sorry for my ignorance, but i'm looking to by a t60 within the next month (probably when vista comes out). i just wanted to make sure i am understanding the content of this thread correctly. on the wireless options when customizing the t60, i should choose the ThinkPad 11a/b/g Wi-Fi wireless LAN Mini-PCIe US/EMEA/LA/ANZ over the Intel PRO/Wireless 3945ABG? also, what exactly is atheros? thanks!

 

The ThinkPad option you just listed is 'Atheros' - the manufacturer/brand. I would recommend you get that one from what I have heard reception wise.

 

just wanna check if the card available on Amazon is the right card.
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/t...%5Fencoding=UTF8&m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&v=glance

Is it possible to get it cheaper anywhere else? Most places I've seen are selling it at $49.

 

Ya 50 seems like the general price. I got it for 30 with student discount from lenova.