Linksys WPC54G Wireless-G Notebook Adapter

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hower · #1 Post by **hower** » Sun Apr 10, 2005 9:56 am

I just got myself a T41-2373-8RA which does not have a build in wireless card. So I am thinking of getting a PC Card.

Do anyone have experience with the linksys WPC54G card? Can it be used on the T41?

Please advise...

JHEM · #2 Post by **JHEM** » Sun Apr 10, 2005 10:00 am

Why not install an internal mini-PCI NIC?

The antennae are already installed in the display!

Regards,

James

no_man · #3 Post by **no_man** » Sun Apr 10, 2005 3:36 pm

I use my linksys WPC54G card in my T21 and my T30, it installs and runs without problems, it identifies access points my old 'b' card never saw, and IBM Access Connections loves it.

hower · #4 Post by **hower** » Sun Apr 10, 2005 5:41 pm

Comparing the price, the external PCMCIA option is much cheaper... and in Singapore, only IBM Service Centre is willing to do the installation of the mini-PCI, and the total cost to install a Intel Pro 2200-BG plus service is SGD200+, which is over USD120.

JHEM wrote:Why not install an internal mini-PCI NIC?

The antennae are already installed in the display!

Regards,

James

JHEM · #5 Post by **JHEM** » Sun Apr 10, 2005 6:09 pm

hower wrote:Comparing the price, the external PCMCIA option is much cheaper... and in Singapore, only IBM Service Centre is willing to do the installation of the mini-PCI, and the total cost to install a Intel Pro 2200-BG plus service is SGD200+, which is over USD120.

First, had you told us you were in Singapore, you might have received different answers. A primary example of why we ask for this information.

Second, the mini-PCI NIC is a customer installable device and doesn't require a trip to IBM or any other service center.

Watch the movies: http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site. ... MIGR-51462

Third, have you priced only the NIC without installation?

Fourth, I can state without fear of contradiction that anyone will be much happier long term with the internal WiFi solution than having a block of immovable plastic protruding from the side of the machine.

Fifth, I find it very difficult to believe that one couldn't find an Intel 2200BG card in Singapore for very little money.

Regards,

James

Steve007 · #6 Post by **Steve007** » Sun Apr 10, 2005 6:20 pm

hower wrote:Comparing the price, the external PCMCIA option is much cheaper... and in Singapore, only IBM Service Centre is willing to do the installation of the mini-PCI, and the total cost to install a Intel Pro 2200-BG plus service is SGD200+, which is over USD120.

The performance of PC cards are extremely erratic. The performance you'll get making use of your ThinkPad's antennas more than justifies spending extra money on the M-PCI adapter. And as Jimbo said, you should be able to find one cheap in Singapore....

Leon · #7 Post by **Leon** » Sun Apr 10, 2005 6:49 pm

hintman-JHEM wrote: ....had you told us you were in Singapore, you might have received different answers. A primary example of why we ask for this information.

Please add Location and other relevant information to your profile. Not required, but appreciated.

arm-twister-Leon

hower · #8 Post by **hower** » Mon Apr 11, 2005 1:56 am

Maybe you are right. Long term wise, it is really irritating to have something stick out of the notebook.

IBM Singapore quoted me S$180 for the 2200BG... how much does it cost at lowest rate? At least I got something to reference to.

JHEM wrote:
hower wrote:Comparing the price, the external PCMCIA option is much cheaper... and in Singapore, only IBM Service Centre is willing to do the installation of the mini-PCI, and the total cost to install a Intel Pro 2200-BG plus service is SGD200+, which is over USD120.
First, had you told us you were in Singapore, you might have received different answers. A primary example of why we ask for this information.

Second, the mini-PCI NIC is a customer installable device and doesn't require a trip to IBM or any other service center.

Watch the movies: http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site. ... MIGR-51462

Third, have you priced only the NIC without installation?

Fourth, I can state without fear of contradiction that anyone will be much happier long term with the internal WiFi solution than having a block of immovable plastic protruding from the side of the machine.

Fifth, I find it very difficult to believe that one couldn't find an Intel 2200BG card in Singapore for very little money.

Regards,

James

JHEM · #9 Post by **JHEM** » Mon Apr 11, 2005 8:01 am

hower wrote:Maybe you are right. Long term wise, it is really irritating to have something stick out of the notebook.

Especially when you consider that the laptop will often no longer fit in it's case with the card installed!

hower wrote:IBM Singapore quoted me S$180 for the 2200BG... how much does it cost at lowest rate? At least I got something to reference to.

The Intel 2200BG is US$59 (S$98), the IBM a/b/g card is US$65 (S$108).

http://www.pc.ibm.com/us/accessories/comms.html

Seems like IBM Singapore wants a lot of money for these items over there. Perhaps someone could bring you one from the US or send you one? I've got an Intel 2100 here you could have for US$50 delivered!

Regards,

James

dr.b · #10 Post by **dr.b** » Mon Apr 11, 2005 8:11 am

Steve007 wrote: The performance of PC cards are extremely erratic. The performance you'll get making use of your ThinkPad's antennas more than justifies spending extra money on the M-PCI adapter. And as Jimbo said, you should be able to find one cheap in Singapore....

I have both a internal card and the linksys....and the range of the linksys is better...

JHEM · #11 Post by **JHEM** » Mon Apr 11, 2005 9:06 am

Steve007 wrote:And as Jimbo said, you should be able to find one cheap in Singapore....

JIMBO???? That could lead to a punch-up in the local!

Regards,

James

hower · #12 Post by **hower** » Mon Apr 11, 2005 7:19 pm

Thanks James... I would try to hunt around Singapore first for a G version.

JHEM wrote:
hower wrote:Maybe you are right. Long term wise, it is really irritating to have something stick out of the notebook.
Especially when you consider that the laptop will often no longer fit in it's case with the card installed!
hower wrote:IBM Singapore quoted me S$180 for the 2200BG... how much does it cost at lowest rate? At least I got something to reference to.
The Intel 2200BG is US$59 (S$98), the IBM a/b/g card is US$65 (S$108).

http://www.pc.ibm.com/us/accessories/comms.html

Seems like IBM Singapore wants a lot of money for these items over there. Perhaps someone could bring you one from the US or send you one? I've got an Intel 2100 here you could have for US$50 delivered!

Regards,

James

rhema83 · #13 Post by **rhema83** » Mon Apr 11, 2005 9:37 pm

I am surprised that you can still buy a T-41 without wireless in Singapore. They should have been phased out about 8 months ago when I left for the United States.

Anyway for many thing, you can just directly order from Bill (the owner of this forum). He is very helpful and will be more than willing to ship it to you. A small part like that will most probably be delivered to your home and you won't have to travel to the post office to collect it.

Computer products (especially laptops) usually cost between 10%-25% less in the USA compared to Singapore. For the same price I paid for a T42, my friend could only buy a R51.

hower · #14 Post by **hower** » Tue Apr 12, 2005 12:59 am

That's rite... it was 8-9 months old...

rhema83 wrote:I am surprised that you can still buy a T-41 without wireless in Singapore. They should have been phased out about 8 months ago when I left for the United States..

Steve007 · #15 Post by **Steve007** » Tue Apr 12, 2005 3:12 am

rhema83 wrote:Computer products (especially laptops) usually cost between 10%-25% less in the USA compared to Singapore. For the same price I paid for a T42, my friend could only buy a R51.

You should see the prices in the UK.....

hower · #16 Post by **hower** » Tue Apr 12, 2005 4:14 am

I read in another forum that those Intel Pro 2200BG sold on ebay might not work for IBM Thinkpad... Say something about IBM did something to the BIOS to recognise only those 2200BG sold by IBM, and not those by the general market.

Anyone got experience with it?

Steve007 · #17 Post by **Steve007** » Tue Apr 12, 2005 4:20 am

hower wrote:I read in another forum that those Intel Pro 2200BG sold on ebay might not work for IBM Thinkpad... Say something about IBM did something to the BIOS to recognise only those 2200BG sold by IBM, and not those by the general market.

Anyone got experience with it?

Yeah it's true, I asked the same question about 2 weeks ago, do a search and have a look at the answers in my thread.

stgreek · #18 Post by **stgreek** » Tue Apr 12, 2005 5:46 am

hower wrote:I read in another forum that those Intel Pro 2200BG sold on ebay might not work for IBM Thinkpad... Say something about IBM did something to the BIOS to recognise only those 2200BG sold by IBM, and not those by the general market.

Anyone got experience with it?

I am thinking of replacing the 2200 of my 2378-FVU with an IBM one, I'll let you know if I do so you can buy mine cheap.

JHEM · #19 Post by **JHEM** » Tue Apr 12, 2005 8:54 am

Stavros,

Why are you considering replacing the Intel card? Having troubles? Need 11a? Just want the alleged better range of the IBM card?

Regards,

James

ziggetty · #20 Post by **ziggetty** » Fri Apr 15, 2005 2:26 pm

i have a t42p with the internal antenna. works ok, BUT ....
cannot connect to the office at the other side of the street.

now connecting to there with a linksys wusb54g, which costed me 50$ some time ago.
works OK. now only again bound to a wire

maybe i should place outside some omni antenna and a bridge inside. just to lazy to sort things out.

Linksys WPC54G Wireless-G Notebook Adapter

Linksys WPC54G Wireless-G Notebook Adapter

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