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Atheros vs intel

T60/T61 Series
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86turbodsl
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Atheros vs intel

#1 Post by 86turbodsl » Tue Feb 25, 2014 1:32 pm

Looking to update a t61 to 802.11n. Is there a preferred card? Mostly run linux.

Sent from my SGH-T889 using Tapatalk
T61p, RT61 frankenpad(the first), W500(s), T500, W700 (king beast)
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ajkula66
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Re: Atheros vs intel

#2 Post by ajkula66 » Tue Feb 25, 2014 1:34 pm

If you don't want to hack the BIOS, 42T0825 or 42T0827 (Atheros-chipped Lenovo abgn) is your friend.

Should you already be running Middleton's BIOS, the world is your oyster...
...Knowledge is a deadly friend when no one sets the rules...(King Crimson)

Cheers,

George (your grouchy retired FlexView farmer)

my music if anyone cares: https://www.youtube.com/@TheWaterMemory

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86turbodsl
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Re: Atheros vs intel

#3 Post by 86turbodsl » Tue Feb 25, 2014 2:45 pm

I think Middleton bios is a given.

Have any recommendations for excellent cards?
T61p, RT61 frankenpad(the first), W500(s), T500, W700 (king beast)
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ajkula66
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Re: Atheros vs intel

#4 Post by ajkula66 » Tue Feb 25, 2014 2:47 pm

My personal choice is Apple's rendition of Atheros 9380:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Atheros-AR5BXB1 ... 43c26b1d1c

Obviously, YMMV.
...Knowledge is a deadly friend when no one sets the rules...(King Crimson)

Cheers,

George (your grouchy retired FlexView farmer)

my music if anyone cares: https://www.youtube.com/@TheWaterMemory

PMs requesting personal tech support will be ignored.
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86turbodsl
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Re: Atheros vs intel

#5 Post by 86turbodsl » Tue Feb 25, 2014 6:05 pm

So how well do those 3 antenna versions work with 2 antennas?
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ajkula66
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Re: Atheros vs intel

#6 Post by ajkula66 » Tue Feb 25, 2014 7:01 pm

I don't quite understand your question.

How many antennae do you have in the machine?
...Knowledge is a deadly friend when no one sets the rules...(King Crimson)

Cheers,

George (your grouchy retired FlexView farmer)

my music if anyone cares: https://www.youtube.com/@TheWaterMemory

PMs requesting personal tech support will be ignored.
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Tsunade
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Re: Atheros vs intel

#7 Post by Tsunade » Tue Feb 25, 2014 10:39 pm

I prefer Intel WLAN cards, drivers are always top notch, for the most part reliable hardware. I had the Intel 6300 card, probably best and most stable WLAN card I have owned.
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Cigarguy
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Re: Atheros vs intel

#8 Post by Cigarguy » Wed Feb 26, 2014 12:54 am

86turbodsl wrote:So how well do those 3 antenna versions work with 2 antennas?
Just fine. However most T61 I've come across have 3 antennas. For the price difference between a good 2 antenna card and a 3 antenna card, I don't bother ordering a 2 antenna card.
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Medessec
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Re: Atheros vs intel

#9 Post by Medessec » Wed Feb 26, 2014 5:03 am

I strongly prefer Intel Wi-Fi cards to Atheros- I do LAN gaming, and Intel cards tend to be the least touchy.

The best Intel cards for your money are the 5100 and 5300 in either half-card form factor or full card, as the T61 can take either. I highly recommend installing Middleton's BIOS if you don't already have it.
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86turbodsl
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Re: Atheros vs intel

#10 Post by 86turbodsl » Wed Feb 26, 2014 9:28 am

ajkula66 wrote:I don't quite understand your question.

How many antennae do you have in the machine?
There are two antennas in the machine.
T61p, RT61 frankenpad(the first), W500(s), T500, W700 (king beast)
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ajkula66
SuperUserGeorge
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Re: Atheros vs intel

#11 Post by ajkula66 » Wed Feb 26, 2014 9:43 am

86turbodsl wrote:
There are two antennas in the machine.
Just leave the middle slot open. You'll still get "N" speeds on both bands but no MIMO.
...Knowledge is a deadly friend when no one sets the rules...(King Crimson)

Cheers,

George (your grouchy retired FlexView farmer)

my music if anyone cares: https://www.youtube.com/@TheWaterMemory

PMs requesting personal tech support will be ignored.
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86turbodsl
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Joined: Wed Oct 02, 2013 12:22 pm
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Re: Atheros vs intel

#12 Post by 86turbodsl » Wed Feb 26, 2014 12:21 pm

Well is it worth retrofitting a 3rd then?
T61p, RT61 frankenpad(the first), W500(s), T500, W700 (king beast)
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ajkula66
SuperUserGeorge
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Re: Atheros vs intel

#13 Post by ajkula66 » Wed Feb 26, 2014 12:37 pm

86turbodsl wrote:Well is it worth retrofitting a 3rd then?
Not in my opinion.

I've gotten 450Mbps using the Apple card that I've linked with 2 antennae on ASUS 66N router at a close range. YMMV.
...Knowledge is a deadly friend when no one sets the rules...(King Crimson)

Cheers,

George (your grouchy retired FlexView farmer)

my music if anyone cares: https://www.youtube.com/@TheWaterMemory

PMs requesting personal tech support will be ignored.
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86turbodsl
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Joined: Wed Oct 02, 2013 12:22 pm
Location: Michigan, USA

Re: Atheros vs intel

#14 Post by 86turbodsl » Wed Feb 26, 2014 12:51 pm

That's good enough for me.

Thanks for your sound advice.

:)
T61p, RT61 frankenpad(the first), W500(s), T500, W700 (king beast)
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