Which Wifi Wireless LAN Adapter?

So I'm about to order a new laptop, and I'm not sure which option I should choose. I've heard that Intel's adapters are faster than the standard b/g/n. Should I just go ahead and get the WiMAX 6250? Are there significant differences between all of the Intel adapters?

Also, would a 14" laptop with a 9-cell battery still fit in a laptop case meant for a 14" notebook?

 

WiMax is only worthwhile if it is installed in your municipality, or if you regularly travel to cities that have it.

I prefer Intel adapters as well. For most people the 6205 Advanced-N is a great choice.

The 9-cell battery shouldn't be a problem unless you are a fan of form-fitting laptop sleeve cases. Even then, it may not be an issue.

 

The "ThinkPad b/g/n" adapters tend to be Realtek ones.

Avoid Realtek hardware at all costs.

 

Agreed. Shame Lenovo isn't using Atheros any more for their b/g/n adapters --those were actually reasonable. I believe that stopped with the T61, though.

 

I'm told by one of my city-dwelling friends that the 3 x 3 Intel 6300 is better at providing a fast connection than 2 x 2 when the airwaves are crowded by numerous other wireless connections.

John

 

The Thinkpad b/g/n Realtek card in my X120e consistently takes longer to connect and has lower signal than the Intel WiFi 5300 3x3 a/b/g/n card in my T500, which is most apparent in lecture halls where signal is weak.

 

As it's been stated above, the jump to an Intel WLAN card is definitely worth it. Intel cards are stable and fast and driver support is very good. You could always do it later but you would need to purchase a Lenovo branded Intel WLAN card as Lenovo whitelists WLAN cards.

 

That could easily be true. It's also a forty-dollar upgrade from the base config; the 6205 is a twenty-dollar add on, still additional money, but not quite the price hike. It's still better than the Intel 1000-N.

I admit to having the 6300 myself, but I think most people will be fine with the 6205 card. The T61 I passed down to my SO was fine with the Atheros A/B/G card; I just put an Intel 4965AGN card in it two months ago because I kinda like her.

I also got the 6300 because we have Cisco enterprise access points at work, which have worked very well with the 3x3 configuration of the Intel 5300 and 4965AGN. I think I'm probably the exception to the rule here though, and that many here are using their wireless differently than I am. I think the 6300 is great, but that for most people, the 6205 is "good enough".

P.S. John, I am wondering, maybe you know --Why did Intel move from the 6200 to the 6205 so quickly in their wireless lineup? Were there bugs or issues in the original 6200? Since they also didn't introduce a 6305 at the same time I wondered if the 6200 might not have been all they hoped it could be.

 

I ordered my W520 with the 6300 after reading that the Realtek wireless radios were not so great. Here a 6205 and 6300 will both run you $40 on Lenovo's site, so I just went along with the 6300 which has higher specs. In the states I believe a 6205 is $25, and should be enough for most applications, I think.

 

also the Realtek wireless card N mode is not as fast as the Intel 6xxx series wireless card.

 

unfortunately the 3x3 option isn't available for the x220 if you get a webcam.