The Notebook Review forums were hosted by TechTarget, who shut down them down on January 31, 2022. This static read-only archive was pulled by NBR forum users between January 20 and January 31, 2022, in an effort to make sure that the valuable technical information that had been posted on the forums is preserved. For current discussions, many NBR forum users moved over to NotebookTalk.net after the shutdown.
Problems? See this thread at archive.org.

    WIFI cards with the W520?

    Discussion in 'Lenovo' started by Bashar, Jul 18, 2011.

  1. Bashar

    Bashar Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    33
    Messages:
    640
    Likes Received:
    5
    Trophy Points:
    31
    does it really differ which card to get with the W520 ?
    ThinkPad b/g/n
    Intel Centrino Advanced-N 6205 (2x2 AGN)
    Intel Centrino Ultimate-N 6300 (3x3 AGN)

    because i don't know what does it really differ, i know the 4th one listed on the order page has WiMAX which i don't need thats why i'm comparing those three

    Thanks
     
    Bashar, Jul 18, 2011
    #1
  2. edit1754

    edit1754 Notebook Prophet

    Reputations:
    1,475
    Messages:
    5,145
    Likes Received:
    71
    Trophy Points:
    216
    Does it have the Intel Centrino 1000 as a free upgrade option? If so, select at least that.

    Intel cards are generally a bit more reliable driver-wise and connectivity-wise than Realtek/"Thinkpad" cards.
     
    edit1754, Jul 18, 2011
    #2
  3. bogatyr

    bogatyr Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    85
    Messages:
    693
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    Unless you have poor performance when it comes to wireless, I wouldn't worry about which card. I don't live in a huge house, but I've never had issues with wireless regardless of which card/device I use. Same in the hotels I've visited.

    If you want to be safe though, I'd go for 6205 or 6300.
     
    bogatyr, Jul 18, 2011
    #3
  4. Bashar

    Bashar Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    33
    Messages:
    640
    Likes Received:
    5
    Trophy Points:
    31
    so its a matter of coverage only since the intels has 2 antennas or 3 right?
     
    Bashar, Jul 18, 2011
    #4
  5. MidnightSun

    MidnightSun Emodicon

    Reputations:
    6,668
    Messages:
    8,224
    Likes Received:
    231
    Trophy Points:
    231
    A matter of drivers as well. The Thinkpad b/g/n (Realtek) card in my X120e takes noticeably longer to connect to WiFi networks than my T500's Intel WiFi Link 5300 ABGN card. Signal strength is also noticeably weaker, and in public WiFi networks where many computers and smartphones are also connecting, the X120e's Realtek card fails at connecting far more often.

    Between those three, I'd definitely choose the 6205 at the very least--I learned the hard way that the WiFi card is one place where you really don't want to cheap out, as it's a big hassle finding a Lenovo-whitelisted WiFi card aftermarket and installing it yourself.
     
    MidnightSun, Jul 18, 2011
    #5
  6. AMATX

    AMATX Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    48
    Messages:
    203
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    Go for the Intel Centrino Ultimate-N 6300 (3x3 AGN) and get the best of both: Intel + 3 antennas. Cost is negligible on all of 'em.
     
    AMATX, Jul 20, 2011
    #6
  7. ZaZ

    ZaZ Super Model Super Moderator

    Reputations:
    4,982
    Messages:
    34,001
    Likes Received:
    1,415
    Trophy Points:
    581
    Interesting, my ThinkPad card works great.
     
    ZaZ, Jul 20, 2011
    #7
  8. wesmain

    wesmain Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    1
    Messages:
    126
    Likes Received:
    1
    Trophy Points:
    31
    The intel cards also offer wireless display (google the term for info), which is supported by the intel processors.

    I will note, however, that the 6300 has been a bit of a disappointment for me. While my Intel 5300 on my T400 connects to my router easily at 450mpbs (you need a supporting router), the 6300 does not. The issue has been documented on linksys and netgear forums.

    I would still suggest the 6205.
     
    wesmain, Jul 20, 2011
    #8
  9. kirayamato26

    kirayamato26 Notebook Deity

    Reputations:
    146
    Messages:
    972
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    In Canada, the 6205 and 6300 are both $40, so it was a no brainer for me. I don't know how much better the 6300 is than the 6205, but it certainly has been better than generic Realtek and Atheros cards in my testing.
     
    kirayamato26, Jul 20, 2011
    #9