X201: wifi 6300 vs. 6200 w/ built in camera

From what I understand 5300/6300 wireless chipset has substantially better range and performance-at-range than the 5200/6200 chipset. I have no data how the 6200 compares to the 5300.

To my way of thinking, it's easier to plop an external camera on top of the laptop than it is to improve wireless performance.
1. If I have to choose between hot spots that are tepid because of signal strength or a built in camera, it seems like I'll get more use from better reception.
2. The reviews on the camera are all pretty good, but they're not outstanding. If I want better camera performance, I'll need to buy a separate camera anyway.

On the other hand, I went with the Blackberry 8820 because GPS was more important to me than a built in camera. While I use the GPS a lot, there are many times when I distinctly missed having a camera built into my phone. It doesn't take 12 megapixels to capture a moment. Since I don't use a camera with any of my other PC's, I don't really miss what I never had.

How useful do you find a built-in camera?

Which feature choice is more important to you: camera or improved wireless range/performance?

 

Substantially is really relative. What is your wireless environment like though? I assume your office has plentiful wifi. Airports are usually decent and hotels I guess depends.

I am personally fine with having the 5100 on my x200 while having the camera. I think the camera is useful for video chatting that you weren't planning on doing.

Rather nice to just be able to grab a laptop and shove it in your bag and know you can chat via mic and camera as well as text.

I guess just be aware of your realistic uses. I don't think the top of the line wifi chips (or rather antenna configurations really) are a MUST, but I don't know your work environment.

 

Good point. That's why it's helpful to discuss these things before making the purchase decision. Most of my wifi use is in the home office, where signal strength is not an issue. I just REALLY notice it when I'm in a hotel or other public place with a spotty signal that drops.

I take it you only keep one window open while video chatting. I can't imagine holding too many simultaneous conversations on a 12" screen!

 

i had 5100 wifi card on my old x200; and i had 6300 card on my x201s

i did not feel any differences.

a camera is more practical.

 

Check the 802.11N performance link in my sig. I've used both and the 5300 is slightly better, but the difference isn't that large. If you think you might use the webcam a fair bit of time I'd definitely go with the Webcam/6200 over the 6300 w/o cam. That being said I've only used the webcam on my x200T maybe half a dozen times in the 18 months that I've owned it.

 

You may not be able to get the ThinkLight if you get the built in camera. That was the case with x201T. If ThinkLight's important, check on that feature with Lenovo before you build.

 

I have a Thinklight and a webcam on my X301.
If I were to choose between a better wireless card, or a camera, I would hands down get the camera.

 

I have both thinklight and webcam on my x200. To me, the built in wireless works well for me. Only time when it doesn't is when the hot spots serve too many users, better wireless card becomes irrelevant.
I don't use camera often but in adhoc situation and with its builtin type i never regret having it.

 

NONE of the Tablets have the Thinklight. This has been true since the x41T and is due to the flat bezel. The Tabook (at least in late 2008) had this misprinted.

Choosing a Webcam has NO EFFECT on the presence of the Thinklight.

 

Great link. Gave you a +1 rep for it.

From what I see, I had a wrong impression about the differences between networking chipsets. Thanks for all the comments to help clarify things for me.

Now, if Lenovo can only get the low voltage chips...

 

The benefit of an 3rd antenna is only realized when you're on a 802.11N network right? It won't benefit 802.11G link does it?

 

To the best of my knowledge that is correct. Additionally, the true benefit of the third antenna is only realized with a network that supports three simultaneous spatial streams (i.e. 450mbps theoretical speed). However, I have never encountered a router of this configuration in the wild.

 

My question... can you use an unused WWAN antenna to act as the third antenna for the 6300 if you get the camera and only have two WLAN antennas? (because WWAN is ripoff)

 

That is what I did actually - take an unused (i choose red ) WWAN antenna, and connected it to the unused middle antenna connector on the 6300.
To be honest, I didn't see any tangible increase in speed or signal strength, but I've only tested it in 802.11g environments, not 802.11n.

 

In theory it could, if there is a MIMO (Multiple Input Multiple Output) network being used, and that the controllers on the wireless card even know to recognize it and use all 3 antenna's for multiple input and output data.