Wireless Card Question - Thinkpad b/g vs Intel WiFi Link 5300

Hello,
I am wondering about the difference between the Thinkpad 11b/g and the Intel WiFi Link 5300 and 5100

From what i understand the Intel card just has more antennas, 3 on the 5300 (correct?).

Is it worth 35 dollars to upgrade?

Thanks.

 

The main difference is both 5100 and 5300 can support the 802.11n network.

If you're going upgrade, go direct to 5300 instead of 5100.

 

The 5300 has three atennas from what I hear.

 

yup. 5200 features a 3 by 3 Multi-in-multi-out antenna matrix

5100 1x2 MIMO up to 300Mbps
5300 3x3 MIMO up to 450Mbps

 

Does anyone know if a Thinkpad T400 bought with the `Thinkpad b/g' wireless card is upgradable to the 5300 in the future, that is it comes with all three wireless antennas in the chassis? I ordered my T400 yesterday and might still be able to modify my order. I only need b/g, but ordered the 5300 with the idea of making sure I got 3 antennas, but if they're there regardless then I'd rather save the money.

I just called the main customer support line for Lenovo, or at least I thought I did, but I must have just gotten sales. Granted though, even for sales this guy didn't know squat about the T400 and couldn't answer any of my questions. All he could tell me was that the 5100 and 5300 should be great because they're `Centrino certified.' Oh, and that the 5300 will give you 450Mbps, but the 5100 is only 300Mbps. Don't they give these guys any training other than the official spiel?

According to the hardware maintenance manual, there could be three antenna cables: a white, black and a grey one. The only thing that scares me is this line from page 78 about installing a card with two connections:

"If the computer you are servicing has three cables, put the white cable in the cable protection tube."

Rather, it's that first word `If' that makes me nervous. While I don't intend to upgrade to N anytime soon, and it would be nice to be able to have a card (the Thinkpad/Atheros) that has a linux driver, I also don't want to get stuck to a lower performing upgrade path.

Actually, one other thing I was wondering. Does the `Thinkpad III' wireless card only support b/g, or a/b/g? I've also seen differing reports.

Thanks!

 

Not to confuse things, but Wimax is due out later this month so I will likely be going with the Intel Wifi Link 5350.

I plan on getting a loaded T400 with all the best options for my needs.

I even want Intel Anti theft which will be out 4th quarter 2008 so I still haven't bought my laptop yet.