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    thinkpad 11b/g Wireless LAN Mini PCI Express Adapter iii OR Intel 5100

    Discussion in 'Lenovo' started by martinyamamoto, Dec 5, 2008.

  1. martinyamamoto

    martinyamamoto Notebook Enthusiast

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    I am purchasing an SL 400 with an Intel Core 2 Duo. Does it make much of a difference (e.g. speed or otherwise) which wireless card I get since I will be using the laptop at home and coffee shops?

    The Intel 5100 is technically, "Intel WiFi Link 5100 (supporting Centrino 2)" according to Lenovo's website.

    Thanks. :)
     
  2. jaredy

    jaredy Notebook Virtuoso

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    Intel cards are supported well and kept up to date. I feel that the perform pretty well also. I am not sure what lenovo uses for their generic card though (atheros?)
     
  3. martinyamamoto

    martinyamamoto Notebook Enthusiast

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    I'm sitting here in Tully's coffee shop and I notice that under "Wireless Network Connection Status" the "Speed" of the Connection is 11 Mbps - is this true? If the max capable for the "generic" Thinkpad card is 54 Mbps then you would think it would suffice, right?

    Ok, I pulled the general description from the Lenovo site:

    ThinkPad 11b/g Wireless LAN Mini PCI Express Adapter III
    ThinkPad wireless cards are compatible with 802.11b and 802.11g wireless networks and provide maximum data rates of 54 Mbps.

    OR

    Intel WiFi Link Series (supporting Centrino 2)
    The IntelĀ® WiFi Link Series is a family (5100, 5300, etc.) of IEEE 802.11a/b/g/Draft-N wireless network adapters that operate in both the 2.4 GHz and 5.0 GHz spectra. These adapters deliver up to 300 Mbps of receive bandwidth; in addition to providing a host of features that enhance today's mobile lifestyle.