X220: Advice for the wifi illiterate

Hi there, I'm trying to decide between the 3 options available for the X220(2x2), and what would be best for my use.

The wireless will mostly be used on my university network, where there can be literally 100's, if not 1000+ computers connected at once, and at home where I use a SMC barricade G router (54mpbs/2.4GHz)

I read that the 6205 will let me run at a different frequency than most laptops, will that allow me to get more bandwith by not having to share with everyone else?

lenovo b/g/n
Intel wifi link 1000
Intel centrino 6205

I've read many threads with most suggesting the 6205, but do I really need it? What can I expect if I settle for the 1000?

Thanks!

 

I'm sure there's benchmarks on the internet somewhere. I went with the ThinkPad card. It's a realtek card. I've not had any problems with it, but I mostly use my laptop at home and work, neither of which will have close to the number connected users as a university.

 

I'd suggest going for an Intel card. While the Realtek card in my X120e connects fine for me back at my home (residential suburbs, not too many users)--albeit with a weaker signal strength than my T500's Intel 5300 a/b/g/n, it has frequent issues in the university dorms, lecture halls, and on campus.

In general, I'd say the Intel 1000 card is sufficient, although if the price difference is small between the two Intel cards, it may be worth it to upgrade.

 

IMO if you can afford it, at least go for the Intel card. I've used nearly all brands WLAN cards, Atheros, Realtek, Broadcom and Intel and Intel is hands down the winner. Driver support is fantastic and it has been my experience that they have the most stable connection.

 

Personally, over the years, I've found Intel's networking chipsets to be more reliable overall, than other providers like Realtek and Marvell.

I have no performance data or reliability studies to give you, other than my personal experience over the years. I just spent the little extra, and got the 6205.

 

Intel has the best driver support of anyone, which is why I go with them. Intel's drivers from their own website work just fine with ThinkPads, and are often updated more rapidly.

In a heavy environment, the 6205 is better for the small hike in price. The 1000-N should work great anywhere else.

 

Hmm, you should also ask yourself if you want WiDi, for which you would need at least the 6205.

 

The Intel Centrino Wireless-N 1000 supports WiDi too:

Intel® Centrino® Wireless-N 1000 – Overview

 

What kind of network do they have? Do they offer 5ghz alongside the standard 2.4? (particularly in crowded areas like large lecture halls and commons)

If they do, you would have to be crazy to not get a 5ghz capable card, which means 6205.

 

well the university site says they "support" 802.11b/g/a/n, but I guess that may not mean necessarily that they have 5ghz going as well, but would them offering be a safe assumption? (after all, its the university of toronto, the biggest uni in Canada pretty much)

so its looking like the 6205 is the best choice.

 

If they are supporting 802.11a they must have 5GHz gear in place. If they are sane, they are probably running multiprotocol 802.11n routers that can support the rest. (If they are cheap, they might have old 802.11a gear alongside low-end 802.11n gear. But it doesn't really save them any money, especially once you consider maintenance.)

Another point: If you are considering a non-Windows OS at any point, the Intel wireless cards are well-supported. The Thinkpad (Realtek) card... Might work. Maybe.