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    X220 - 3x3 Antenna OR Webcam

    Discussion in 'Lenovo' started by m11xx, Apr 18, 2011.

  1. m11xx

    m11xx Notebook Guru

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    hi guys,

    as the X220 is already available to configure online in germany I just wanted to let you know that you'll have to choose inbetween the 3x3 antenna/Intel Centrino Ultimate-N 6300 (3x3 AGN) or the 720p webcam.. if you take the webcam you can just get the Intel Centrino Advanced-N 6205 (2x2 AGN)..

    Any noticeable performance decrease as for the 6205/2x2 compared to the 6300/3x3?
     
    m11xx, Apr 18, 2011
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  2. zhaden

    zhaden Notebook Consultant

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    No, you will not see a noticeable performance decrease unless you are operating a wireless AP that supports 3 simultaneous radio connections for 450mbps of throughput on 802.11n.

    Not that I can say for sure, because the antenna wires themselves are a relatively small component, but I'd take a gander and say the choice comes as a result of the built in conduit/wire run locations within the chassis. You either get a 3rd antenna or a wire to the webcam.
     
    zhaden, Apr 18, 2011
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  3. snvskvskl

    snvskvskl Notebook Enthusiast

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    so are the antennas in the screen for WLAN or WWAN? Or both? The Lenovo config says they are for 'mobile broadband' but then they appear to be connecting to the Intel Centrino card, not the mobile broadband card... or am I misunderstanding how this works?
     
    snvskvskl, Apr 18, 2011
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  4. chaosphoenix

    chaosphoenix Notebook Consultant

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    Regarding the WLAN: forum.thinkpads.com • View topic - 2x2 vs 3x3 antenna (X220) In short, 2x2 and 3x3 is only bandwidth gain. You won't experience any improvement in range, only in total throughput (450 vs 300, but 300 is already ALOT mind you..)

    Regarding the WWAN: I believe that the 2x2 and 3x3 antenna configs are separate from the WWAN entirely. (Do they even use MIMO for WWAN?) If you look at some of the older part removal videos for the x201t, theres a part where they show the removal of the WWAN chip, and you can clearly see the WLAN chip in there, also with its own wires for antenna connections.
     
    chaosphoenix, Apr 18, 2011
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  5. zhaden

    zhaden Notebook Consultant

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    The 6300 and 6205 are WLAN cards.

    There are WLAN/WWAN combo cards, and the 6300 can tune to WWAN frequencies, but requires a controller (there are probably 2 mPCIe slots in the x220, one for WLAN with 2 antennas and one for WWAN, with a SIM card slot located near by) and separate antenna harness.
     
    zhaden, Apr 18, 2011
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  6. snvskvskl

    snvskvskl Notebook Enthusiast

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    Okay thanks, that clears up my confusion completely.
     
    snvskvskl, Apr 18, 2011
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  7. mil2

    mil2 Notebook Consultant

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    Well, I can't say for sure about x220, but in x200/201 wiring was not the reason. There simply, physically, wasn't enough space in the lid for both the MIMO antenna and the webcam. I know because I had to cut that antenna out when I was installing the webcam.

    I would assume the same is the case with x220.
     
    mil2, Apr 18, 2011
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  8. floz23

    floz23 Notebook Evangelist

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    Also, I'll note that wifi is a half-duplex spec. so the 300mbit or 450mbit, the total downstream is only HALF of that.

    Without real enterprise grade wifi equipment, you'll never see anywhere close to the maximum rated speeds anyway. You'll be to be in a multi-AP environment to come close to the maximum speed.
     
    floz23, Apr 18, 2011
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  9. sdong

    sdong Notebook Enthusiast

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    Was about to ask this in the X220 thread, but this seems more relevant.

    Regarding the Wi-Fi options for general use, is there anything definitely worth upgrading over the default Thinkpad options?
     
    sdong, Apr 18, 2011
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  10. noxxle99

    noxxle99 Notebook Deity

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    Intel Centrino Ultimate-N 1000 viable for most users?
     
    noxxle99, Apr 18, 2011
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