Installing a new wireless card

Hey guys i ordered a t400 thinkpad and i got the thinkpad A/B/G wireless card instead of the intel 5100 and 5300 because I currently don't have an N router and for now G is fast enough also, I heard that the atheros is a better card and i had one in my previous toshiba and it worked great. I have a question that in the future, i might want to upgrade to wireless N network card, Is it possible to swap the Thinkpad A/B/G to a different card? I know you can get an expresscard or pccard one but i dont want anything sticking out of my system,

 

Yes. You can remove the current card and replace it with any compatible N card.

 

I second kogobeer, plus the router will have to be N as well.

 

Only if you want N speeds. All 802.11n cards are backwards compatible with A/B/G. Of course, there would be little use in upgrading to a new 802.11n card if the OP didn't purchase an 802.11n router.

 

That's right, that was my point.

 

I heard there are 3 antennas for the 5300 N wireless card, are those 3 antennas part of the card or built into the laptop? im kind of confused about that, because if the 3 antennas are built into the 5300 spec laptops, then i cant really take full use of the N card?

 

You do have 3 antennas interface in the card, but the actual antennas are in the laptop, they are wire type, you should have them, if not, you can buy them.

 

You can buy a single wireless antenna, if necessary. Installation is a snap, because you don't have to monkey with the LCD (where most antennas are installed by the factory).

http://www.oxfordtec.com/us/Wireles...eed-to-open-the-Base-or-LCD/product_info.html

 

If you snap it to the card, it still has to be install inside the laptop, doesn't it?

 

Hey guys I just gave lenovo a call, they said the t400 would have the 3 antennas inside already. The sales rep said that It wouldn't make sense to not have the 3 antennas in there so that I can easily upgrade in the future. As far as if i should trust him, im not sure.

 

Just open the appropriate cover in the back and see if the three antennas wires are there, is that simple.

 

Yes, but you don't install the new antenna in the LCD. Check out the instructions in the link provided.

 

I know, they said that, but their instructions and drawings are not clear, I still don't understand how they install this antenna.

 

Thread the antenna into the case. There is at least one hole in the opening for the card, so you just thread the antenna through the hole. I've installed this antenna several times and believe me, it takes about 5 seconds.

 

Are you talking about a desktop or a laptop?

 

I Just like to add you have most like make sure it ibm mini pci x card

cause the bios most likely has listed of acepted card if anything like x61t

 

Where can I purchase a network card that will work wih the thinkpad's bios? directly from lenovo?

 

Problay Ibm i got mine from reseller I am not say you laptop diffently need spefic one Am just they chance it does pretty high too ask on lenvo fourms might get better asnwer

 

Looks like its a connection with the antenna, just snake it around inside the base of the laptop and your set. Nice to know the option is there if you need it. Finding something like that on google may have been hard.

Now I just need to see some benchmarks for the 5100 vs the 5300 cards to see if I want to upgrade.

 

You're kidding, right?

 

Most time unconnected anntena wireless are lose mind you they have tape on them cover the rf connector as not short it out


http://images.dragonontheedge.com/Install_WIFI_MPCIE_02.JPG

 

I wasn't, I just got confused with the "hole" thing, I was wondering what hole you were talking about.

The antenna can certainly be installed in the case, indeed, we just have to make sure is well extended inside and that it doesn't touch any other RF components.