wifi Lan adapter - please help choose

Hello,
I am now ordering a new T410s and I don't know what the real (not on paper) difference is between these four choices:

ThinkPad b/g/n

Intel Centrino Advanced-N 6200 (2X2 AGN) [add $20.00]

Intel Centrino Ultimate-N 6300 (3X3 AGN) [add $40.00]

Intel Centrino Advanced-N + WiMAX 6250 [add $55.00]

Is it worth it for me to pay some extra $20 or $40? Theoretically these adapters can work faster when plugged into a fast network, but doesn't it ultimately depend on the internet provider? and is there a real-life difference between these? I use comcast at home.
thanks,
Christina

 

Only difference would be in the range and strength of wifi signals, but even the cheapest one will work perfectly.

 

Range and strengh of wifi signals? By that you mean whether it can pick up on weaker signals better? I work at a university which has all-campus coverage but the signal, for some reason, is weaker in my office and I've got problems with this. Are you saying that the 20$ more expensive adapter would solve this issue?
I thought that Lan adapters are only about how much down and up speed they can take, not about the strength of the laptop's anthena. Am I wrong?

 

I am wondering what those 2X2 and 3X3 mean...

 

The stronger the connection, the better the throughput.

Can't say weather it will solve the issue completely or not, but the 6300 is more sensitive; it can pick up weaker signals and further access points than the 6200. There's no need for you to get the 6250 unless you plan on using WiMax. I would suggest the Intel card over the thinkpad b/g/n. Intel cards generally don't run as hot and have good driver support. I'm not sure if the T410s comes with the 3rd antennae lead, so the 6300 with 2 antennae may prove to be no more affective than the 6200. Maybe someone else can chime in about how many antennae leads the T410s comes with?

 

Thanks maa83, I didn't know that there is a real difference between the wifi adaptors. It's funny that the high-end model for t410s (the one which starts at 1800) doesn't offer a better adaptor as a default option whereas the enhanced model (i.e. between basic and high-end) does. really confusing.

 

I went for the 6200 for my T510. I don't do wireless networking, just wireless internet access, so the higher transfer speeds aren't that important to me.

The wireless card in my eee 1000h hits max download speed with my internet. I'm sure a 6200 would be far beyond what's in my netbook.

So unless you need higher speed networking, I'd say go for the 6200.

 

Relates to the number of antennas and the number of simultaneous spatial streams (802.11N). 2x2 should support 300mbps theoretical (practical limit around 110). 3x3 supports 450mbps theoretical (unsure of the practical limit).

Also note that in order to properly benefit from the 3x3 card you will need to have a laptop with a 3x3 array. This should cover most ThinkPads. However, some models (especially those with integrated webcams) only have a 2x2 array. If you see a note next to webcam of 2x2 this is what this means.

I have used both the 5100 (1x2) and 5300 (3x3) in my x200 Tablet (3x3 array). There are detailed benchmarks in my sig. The 5300 was slightly faster for transmit, but both performed the same for receiving. I didn't notice any difference in range, but both are very good. The 5300 may perform even better on an 802.11N network that supports 450mbps, but I have never encountered one of these (my DIR-655 is limited to 300).

Overall, I would probably recommend the 6200. This supports 2x2 streams (plenty for 300mbps 802.11N) and should perform just as well as the 6300 in most cases (especially if you only have a 2x2 antenna array). Further, the Intel cards were slightly more power efficient than the 'ThinkPad' cards on the Montevina generation; I wouldn't be surprised if this was still true. Finally, you need to select an Intel Wi-Fi card to complete the Centrino branding and get that sticker if it's important to you.

 

Centrino branding and get a sticker?
Jonlumpking, that must be a joke, right?
Seems that 6200 will be enough and i'll stick with that.

 

Were you sitting next to the AP when testing? The diversity antennas only matter when you are far away and/or in a noisy RF environment. But when every antenna has great reception then you gain nothing

The extra 20$ are 2% of the total cost

 

It's a joke to the point that stickers provide no value (I moved all mine to the battery bay). Nonetheless, if you want a Centrino sticker you MUST select an Intel Wi-Fi card (6200 or 6300).

I tried from various positions. The closet was about 15 feet. The furthest away was probably around 50 feet and through a few walls.

Besides, even if it's only 2% that's no reason to overpay ($20 is $20).

 

I second that: 20$ is 20$, I am not going to spend extra if it's not necessary.
but it seems that the jury is out: it's 6200.

 

what does "the jury is out" mean to you?

 

i meant to say that it's been decided..but probably the jury out means that something is being decided - i.e. the decision has not been made yet. Obviously, English is not my mother tongue. Does that bother you?

 

it doesnt bother me at all, but i was thoroughly boggled!

 

In order to have Centrino sticker on your laptop, you need three major components... Intel mobile processor, Intel Pro or wireless adapter, and Intel chipset. Just FYI.