t42 order question

[abb]

i'm thinking about purchasing a t42 2373-9XU model from ibm. it looks like it comes originally stocked with the older ibm a/b/g mini pci (5001x chipset).

1) does anybody know if ibm will upgrade it with the newer ibm a/b/g II mini pci (newer atheros 5004x chipset) if i purchase it from them (install it for me and ship it to me with my new computer).

2) if they are able to install the new chipset for me, is the newer ibm a/b/g II completely compatible (without any bios hacks) with this older model t42.

3) if ibm doesn't do this, is it sufficient to keep and use the laptop with the older ibm a/b/g (atheros 5001x). can anybody comment on the performance of this older wireless mini pci card. i read on some previous posts that the newer ibm a/b/g II might have extended range and better power management compared to the older atheros 5001x but if this improvement is marginal, am i better off just keeping the older stock card?

i'm a student so i hope this new laptop (my first thinkpad) will last me a good 3-4 years. is purchasing an older model t42 still a good idea? any help would be greatly appreciated since i hope to place an order asap.

thanks in advance.

[Steve007]

Keep the old one if there's nothing wrong with it...

[abb]

Keep the old one if there's nothing wrong with it...

i actually havent purchased the t42 yet so i dont know how the older card performs.

[Tan Mann]

Keep the old one if there's nothing wrong with it...

i actually havent purchased the t42 yet so i dont know how the older card performs.

The older card is absolutely fab! under Win 2K, XP, Ubuntu Linux, RedHat...etc...Can't go wrong!

Go for it!

Tan