Buying Atheros card

After doing all possible things (and I had some success) in order to get stable connection with my i2915 (a/b/g) card I decided to try an atheros solution. I found TP-Link TL-WN660G (b/g) for around 25 USD. Now Google doesn't find much on that card. I presume it is atheros 5005GS client with 2413/2414 chip? It is cheaper than any Intel card I can find (30-40 USD).

Now in your experience (and opinion), is EVERY (TP-Link???) atheros based card worth buying/trying? TP-Link is on the "Atheros Industry Leading Customers" partners list. I guess that is good.

Do you know anyone that is not satisfied with an Atheros based card? Technical paper is one thing, but firsthand experience is what I need. For example, will the wireless button work? Are there any drawbacks, problems in a long run? Drivers, firmware OK?
Thanks in advance!

....
Err, while I was typing this post I lost network connection (twice). I guess that is it. Atheros it is.

 

LOL, dropped twice while typing this? jeeeeeeez I feel for yah. By all means go for the Atheros as I have heard nothing bad about it other than more power consumption for the older models.

I was thinking about making the switch as well. Let us know how it works out~!!! Maybe a mini review?

Cheers,
Mike

 

Sorry for a small delay Mike, but...

TP card I wanted to buy at a local store is unfortunately unavailable for some time (and yes their database showed it was in stock), so I decided to wait for a while. The decision is also supported by a fact that my Intel 2915 started to loose connection once per day (only)! What an improvement. (Maybe my poor Intel card realized that it was going to be fired )

Atheros is still on (maybe I find some other manufacturer), and I will do a small review once I plug it in.

 

Atheros is only the chipset, Mines is a Gigabyte Atheros 5005 card.

This foreign card will disable the switch, my WiFi light doesn't turn on neither, neither does Fn+F2, or the WiFi hotkey.

Doesn't matter to me much though.

 

Hi coriolis,
You're right, I was just referencing to the TP link card I wanted to buy with (I hope) 5005 chipset.

So you use switch from driver right? I must admit I don't care much either as long as it works as it should.
Thanks for the info.

 

Well, Gigabyte provided a program and I use that, the only way to disable my WiFi is to disable it through that. But I usually leave the card on, because it barely drains any battery, I get 4~ hours with WiFi on, 3hours 52~ mins with it off.