x220 WiFi options?

Hi all,

Any info as to the difference/value between Intel Centrino Advanced-N 6205 (2x2 AGN) vs ThinkPad a/g/n ? Any differences of note other than the 2x2 antenna array?

Thanks,
Charlie

 

I would get the 6205 Wifi.

My current laptop came with Intel 1000 wifi...it sucks. It doesn't do 300 Mbps on my N network. So I had to upgrade the card...cost me another $75!

 

Oh 1 more disclaimer...if you don't plan to transfer a lot of data or stream videos within your home network, then you don't need the 62xx Intel wireless card.

So if you're just planning to use x220 surfing the Internet, then I don't think the 62xx makes much difference since the bottleneck is your internet connection.

 

What speed would you say you did achieve with the Intel 1000 on your N network? I would like to stream HD recorded TV to this machine, but I would think that 80-120 Mbps would be enough for this.

 

tireddad, sorry, I don't know what typical bandwidth requirement would be. But even if Windows says I'm connected at xxx Mbps, the Wireless-N 1000 just couldn't sustain the speed. I kept getting dropped frames and choppy video.

On my TM2 with the Wireless-N 1000, the reception was bad in terms of the distance it was away from the wireless router. I live in a condo, so the place is small, 975 ft^2. There are other units below and next to me as well. So they may be causing interference as well. I couldn't even connect to the network when I was in my bedroom with the Wireless-N 1000. After I swapped to the new card, I was able to get connection and stream videos.

The wireless router thing is always kinda tricky, depending on your home appliances, cordless phones, microwaves, number of people near by that has also has wireless....so of course your mileage will vary. My point is that for the little amount of money for the 62xx, I would go for it. Saves me some headache and hair.

 

i want the 6300, but getting it means no webcam. I don't like to talk on skype, but my parents would probably be furious if i rejected a webcam option

 

@darthhen: Did you purchase an internal card to swap out the Wireless-N 1000? Or did you buy like a ExpressCard wifi adapter? (Trying to figure out if the crappy reception and etc was because of the actual card or the antenna on your laptop)

 

Also, pulling facts from the intel Website..

Wire less-N 1000: Intel® Centrino® Wireless-N 1000 – Overview
Advanced-N 6205: Intel® Centrino® Advanced-N 6205 – Overview
Ultimate-N: Intel® Centrino® Ultimate-N 6300 – Overview

Looks like the main difference between the 1000 and 6205 is the fact that the 1000 only supports 2 channels on 2.4Ghz, whereas the 6205 supports 2 channels and can operate on both 2.4Ghz and 5Ghz.
On top of that, it seems that the 6300 Only adds a 3rd channel to the 6205 capability.

I suspect one reason tireddad got better performance out of his new card might be the fact that his 2.4Ghz spectrum was crowded, so maybe moving onto the 5Ghz spectrum alleviated some of his woes?

Edit:
It seems for the 1000 card, it operates with 1x2 configuration (1 transmit and 2 receive), whereas the 6205 operates with 2x2 , and the 6300 on 3x3.

 

I didn't realize that getting the Intel Centrino Ultimate-N 6300 took away the web cam. I have the 6300 in my config and it also lists a 720p Camera, isn't that the web cam?

 

If you add the webcam, there isn't enough space to store the third wire for the Intel 6300 card. I don't think it should normally let you configure both.

To the OP, I'd go with the Intel 6205, at least if you're running Windows. Intel has the best driver support and updates frequently; I usually get my WiFi drivers from their site rather than Lenovo's.

 

As I wrote in another thread earlier, at least in x200/x201 this is not a wiring problem, but the fact that the MIMO antenna and the webcam occupy the same space in the lid, so you can only have one of them. My x201 which came with a 3x3 antenna was still pre-wired for the webcam, and I have in fact removed the MIMO antenna and installed a webcam in its space. I assume the same is the case with x220.

To the previous poster, Intel 6300 doesn't prevent you from having a webcam; 3x3 antenna does. If you could opt for a webcam, it means that you selected a 2x2 antenna. And here's the trick: without a 3x3 antenna, your Intel 6300 will not function to its full capabilities; I assume it will still work, but its functionality will be essentially the same as if you got Intel 6205.

 

I just realizez the OP was talking about the X220 and I was quoting W520 specs. The cam does show up in the specs in the W520 if you select the 6300, for whatever that is worth. I have been a desktop only guy for a long time,this is my first laptop so it is all greek to me. I'm happy to find this forum to learn about this stuff.

 

Ok , Thanks Mil2 that makes sense. I actually had to cancel my original order because I wanted to upgrade to the higher rez screen and they said I had to cancel and start from scratch to make changes in my order. I am trying to learn all I can about this unit so I can be more educated about my choices this time when I order. Threads like this are just what I need. Thanks

 

The difference is in speed. The 6205 will bump your speeds to 300Mbps. Does this matter? It depends on your router. If you have a wireless router that will support that rate, I'd say definitely go for the upgrade. It's well worth your money. In addition you get a better range for your card, which gives you a little more mobility. If you bump to the 6300 you will get up to 450Mbps plus the extra antenna, which means an even bigger range. Keep in mind that again, you will only see the benefits of this if your home router is powerful enough to support those speeds.

Long story short, the 6205 is definitely worth it. If you have the money and the equipment to support it, upgrade to the 6300. Otherwise stick to the lesser upgrade.

 

-just surfing on ubiquitous 2.4 consumer wifi: whatever is cheapest or standard

-ever want to use 5ghz: 6205 (hint to business travel, this is you)

-care about LAN transfers and not just internet: 6205 (+ you are weird and don't want a webcam, or are not allowed to spec one for a work box: 6300)

-will pay for wimax service: 6250

 

My problem is I already have a Linksys E4200 450Mbps router. So I WANT the 3x3 w/6300 option to connect with a future NAS/server. But I also want a web cam. Decisions, decisions...

I guess I can add an external USB web cam, but its more painful to add external faster wi-fi.

Of course the other problem is wanting a W520 w/FHD also. And not wanting to spend the money for both a W520 and an X220.

 

Look at it this way then.

How fast is your Internet connection?

Mine (a DOCSIS 3.0 cable modem, with the lowest speed tier) is around 3.5Mbps up and 22Mbps down. I could get faster, but I don't really need it. Let's say I did --Comcast, starting next year, is supposed to be able to offer me 105Mbps internet speeds.

That's 1/4 the speed of your fastest wireless card. So it doesn't matter for internet access.

So that leaves massive file copying between a home server, or some other networked storage over wireless. While useful, how often do you do multi-gigabyte file copies from your laptop to another system over wireless? I do it occasionally, but if it's a really huge data transfer, it's still smarter to hook up my wired Ethernet port, since my router supports gigabit speeds, and my home server is gigabit as well. Also, 300Mbps is more than enough to support streaming a video from your network; I do it regularly at that speed on my T400.

I think you'd rarely notice the difference in speed between a 6205 and a 6300. If I was getting the X220 and had to make a choice, I'd drop to the 6205 myself in order to get the webcam --even if I didn't use it much, it's a much better selling point when upgrade time comes around in another 3 years, than "it has a faster wireless card".

 

I have the 6205 on order with the X220 and am currently not networked in home. So I am now contemplating which router to buy. I live alone in a townhouse and the router will be like 20 feet and one wall away from where I plan to sit with laptop. Initially, I will use wireless for internet and streaming movies. My Verizon DSL modem gives me like 3 Mbps down and .75 up (I know, pathetic, but fine for most web purposes I do so far).

-Is the Verizon connection fast enough to stream HD movies from internet/Netflix without difficulty? If not, what speed should I shoot for?

-Should I pay extra to get a dual band simultaneous router so I can take advantage of the 5 Ghz band? (I have no other wireless devices around, tho some neighbors might)

-Will I have to tell the laptop which band to use, or is switching automatic?

-The other consideration is, in the future I may want the router to stream hi-rez music files from a NAS to my stereo. Is that a reason to make sure I get a 300 Mbps capable router?

Thanks in advance for any assistance...

 

You don't get extra range. Your wireless reception stabilizes, so when you move around, you have fewer "dead spots" in your wireless coverage area.


@lectrolink: If you have a 5Ghz compatible router, then you can use the 5Ghz band. The reason they have a 5Ghz band is to get away from the 2.4Ghz spectrum crowding (most of our RF devices operate on 2.4Ghz, as do microwaves. see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electromagnetic_interference_at_2.4_GHz)
3 Mbps down is not fast enough to stream HD movies. You want at least 6 Mbps (correct me if I'm wrong) for streaming most HD movies.
There is a difference between dual band (as in both 2.4Ghz AND 5Ghz) and MIMO technology, which is what takes advantage of the 2x2 or 3x3 antenna configuration in your monitor. Dual band basically means it can transmit on 2.4Ghz AND 5 Ghz (some routers can only transmit on one frequency at a time, but can switch via a firmware setting) whereas MIMO means that it maintains multiple transmit and receive channels open for data (which is why you get the 300 Mbps).

TL;DR: For your purposes, there is NO point in getting a 300Mbps capable system. If you're just worried about streaming HD netflix, a 54Mbps wireless G connection will be overkill. With regards to streaming music, HD movies take up WAY more bandwidth than ANY music, so if it can handle HD movies, you won't have any problems.

Apologies at the somewhat rambly response. I'm not too great with explaining :S

 

Definitely, YES.

I was at a conference for a weekend with a Realtek-equipped laptop. Could barely get a connection the whole time, while all the MacBooks users were carrying on without a hitch.

You will regret cheaping out on wifi at a tech conference.

 

I bought a preconfigured model which came with the "Thinkpad b/g/n" card in it. After a 6 weeks of travelling with it and struggling with very poor reception I'm ready to upgrade it an Intel 6205.
Has anyone done this, if so where did you purchase the Intel card?

 

eBay is likely your best option: because Lenovo whitelists their WiFi cards, make sure you buy a Lenovo-whitelisted Intel WiFi 6205 card (otherwise, you'd have to use a hacked whitelist-removed BIOS).