Thinkpads Forum

I know intel and atheros are real good choices but what in particular? AC would be nice. 2 and 3 antennas are no problem as long as network cards has processing power to offload the CPU.

These will be used in both T60 (two antennas) and R61 (three antennas), also both had whitelist broken.

Cheers, thinkpadcollection

Atheros 9380 is a great choice for these machines but it's not AC.

Killer 1525/1535 are good AC cards, but would require some hacking since the connectors are different from what one would find on ThinkPads of *60/61 vintage.

Notes: Was fighting with wireless cards for my dell D531, luckily great thing about this bios does have no whitelist, with installed windows 7. intel 4965agn will not work and DW1390 (broadcom sucks too.) this is original wifi card for D531 will not show up and driver is a fail. Dell has a system such dell is so determined to make stuff obsolete so fast on restrictions software imposed on windows install types. This is for XP only and will not install on anything newer. Dug up a atheros ar2425 (a and g) and worked on windows detection also wifi button can turn atheros card off and on nicely. I'm sold on atheros and Intel.

Will AR9380 3x3 (was told that they use more power than newer 2x2 only atheros cards?) I found a type atheros 2x2 AR9280 will do?
Also there are so many choices of atheros cards but suggest some other newer ones as well? Even U.2 cards can be considered if I have height room in the notebook using u.2 to mini-pci-e adapters.

Cheers and thanks, thinkpadcollection

thinkpadcollection wrote:
Will AR9380 3x3 (was told that they use more power than newer 2x2 only atheros cards?) I found a type atheros 2x2 AR9280 will do?

9280 will give you a max of 300Mbps where 9380 will hit 450Mbps.

Also there are so many choices of atheros cards but suggest some other newer ones as well? Even U.2 cards can be considered if I have height room in the notebook using u.2 to mini-pci-e adapters.

Killer cards - which are Atheros-chipped - were previously mentioned by silly old me if you're interested in AC range. Other than that, I really have no suggestions to offer. Intel 7260AC hasn't impressed me one bit.

Seconded on the AR9280/9285, I have one installed in my T60p and it's a great performer.

Keep going with comments, I know that 2x2 is 300mbps but I have to be careful about getting one with dual band too. Some of my notebooks do not have 3 antennas so have to make do.

Your comment on AR9285 is an 1x1:1 which is one band. The AR9280 is 2x2:2 (dual bands).

Linky I found today:

(a)bgn
https://wikidevi.com/wiki/Atheros

:edit added ac wiki:

ac
https://wikidevi.com/wiki/Qualcomm_Atheros

Cheers, thinkpadcollection

This is subject close to my heart as I find most of the common 2.4 cheap cards in all laptops, not that great.

I like Intel cards, the Intel 5300 and 6300 are my go to choice for 3x3. Up to 450mbps.

If you are stuck with 2x2, then the 6200 is a good choice.

Avoid the 5100 as it is only n150 on the 2.4 band.

If you need AC, then the 7260 is your only choice.

As I see it, there will never be an AC 3x3 card that fits in the older laptops. The Intel roadmaps shows they have moved on and I dont think any 3rd party like QCA will make a 3x3 AC card.

Please update me if this changes.

TonyJZX wrote:As I see it, there will never be an AC 3x3 card that fits in the older laptops. The Intel roadmaps shows they have moved on and I dont think any 3rd party like QCA will make a 3x3 AC card.

Please update me if this changes.

search ebay for: BCM94360HMB
3x3 AC , works with older laptops, with one problem: it requires different antenna connectors, new antenna can be bought for under 10 USD

Interesting card. The sma connector problem is the issue now. I'm not about to dismantle a laptop to rewire the antennas.

Could cut and resolder I guess?