wireless n on thinkpad

My lenovo I ordered a few months ago came with the lenovo built in wifi that has "n" capabilities. I think they called it a/b/g/n. Would this work for n-draft routers? What router would work best with my thinkpad?

 

Yes, although there is no reason to by a draft-N router right now unless the company allows you to trade it in when .11n gets ratified

 

will my lenovo work with .11n?

 

will my lenovo work with .11n if it has the a/b/g/n wifi card built in or just draft n?

 

In theory all Draft n wireless networking gear should be compatible. Weather it actually functions at the the high speeds attributed to the n standard is anyone's guess.

Polomaan's question
will my lenovo work with .11n if it has the a/b/g/n wifi card built in or just draft n?
Good questions. Most likely when the n stardard is ratified, lenovo will issue a driver update that will offer increased performance for your draft n card.

On another note. When selecting a wireless router Look for one that is Draft N 2.0 compliant. These are guaranteed to be compatible with the 802.11n standard when it's ratified. see http://www.trustedreviews.com/netwo...Products-First-To-Be-Draft-N-2-0-Compliant/p1

 

Actually, it doesn't say that flat out. If you read it, it basically says that 1.0 devices are now 2.0 compliant, not that that they'd specifically be final ratified standard compliant. I don't think anyone has specifically guaranteed that yet.

 

Exactly! Until they start making routers for the final version of 802.11n, no one can guarantee it'll even be faster. But when they do start making them, it'll be extremely useful.

Matt

 

I've been wondering about this. So I just did a little digging and found this article... "the IEEE notes that Draft 2.0-compliant gear will be guaranteed to be fully compatible with the final (2009) 802.11n standard." http://www.extremetech.com/article2/0,1697,2103646,00.asp

It seems that the current offering Intel Wireless 4965AGN is "guaranteed" to be final 802.11n upgradeable with a driver upgrade. Therefore it is safe to say that it will be upgradeable to 802.11n draft 3.0 when that becomes available in the nearer future.

Does anyone know if the ThinkPad (Atheros)11a/b/g/n Wireless LAN Mini-PCI Express Adapter is Draft 2.0 compliant/certified?

 

I have no idea, but I sure as hell hope so...

Thanks for the info on the final release, by the way. But 2009?! That's a long time...

Matt

 

"early 2008" for draft 3.0 isn't too bad. It's suppose to be basically the final version only not "official". I'm sure a driver update will be available for draft 3.0 when the time comes.

Agreed about the routers. I haven't done alot of research, but from the reviews I've read, nobody has come out with a decent draft n router. I'd like to be corrected if I'm wrong because I'd like an excuse to get one.

 

Good find Stallen. Yeah, the Intel 4965AGN is already 2.0 certified. I don't see the Atheros labeled as such yet. When it is, I expect it to be posted here:

http://certifications.wi-fi.org/wbcs_ViewCertificate.php?product_id=4632

or here:

http://www.atheros.com/pt/AR5008E-3NX.htm

Some of their routers made that certified list here:

http://www.wi-fi.org/pressroom_overview.php?newsid=545

Not the cards..... yet.

 

@Tholek - I'd get the Atheros over the Intel if I was certain that it is draft 2.0 certified. I still might, but the Intel seems to be a little more "future-proof" at this point.

 

If you plan to sell your laptop in two years as I do (normal upgrade cycle) then it would be kind of pointless to buy an 802.11n card. Only buy 802.11n if you need the speed and own an 802.11n router. Otherwise it will be a long time before 802.11g hotspots disappear.

 

I'm really hoping Atheros makes it too. Side by side my gut tells me the Atheros will beat the Intel as-is. Also, the Intel may not be a top performer when the spec is ratified, and you know Intel will have had a few replacements since the 4965 by then. Hey, at the very least you can consider both ABG cards with possible futurability.

Fingers crossed on the Atheros, though....

Of course they won't. It's the appearing N hotspots we don't wanna miss.

It's gonna depend on the wi-fi people. C'mon Atheros...

*rolls dice*