Thinkpads Forum

I am planning to upgrade the wireless NIC in my T61.

42T0825 -- Atheros AR5BXB72 AR5008 (factory installed for T60)
http://www.thinkwiki.org/wiki/ThinkPad_ ... ss_Adapter

42T0865, 42T0867, 42T0869, 42T0871, 42T0905 -- Intel 4965AGN (factory installed for T61)
http://www.thinkwiki.org/wiki/Intel_PRO ... ss_Adapter

Does Atheros have any advantages over Intel?

Do both work well under Windows XP? Windows 7? Windows 8? Linux?

My choice would be Atheros since I've never had an issue of any kind with 42T0825. Out of all the genuine ThinkPad cards of that era (mini-PCI-e, full size), that one remains my favourite. Definitely works better in Linux as well.

Obviously, YMMV, and you'll get opposing opinions for certain.

I've been very happy with the Intel 4965AGN card. My Dlink extreme N router has no issues at all connecting, streaming HD video or anything internet related, but I have had problems with streaming video on the atheros cards, sometimes I'd have to stop the video and restart it to get it playing smoothly again. I've also had the atheros cards cut out more often, something that rarely happens with the Intel card. I've also had no problems using them with Linux (ubuntu). I've only tried them briefly with other distributions. The Atheros card has an advantage on older systems that pre-date the T61 as it's the only "N" capable card the factory bios will allow, but in a T61 you can use either card.

I suspect you'll find many differing opinions on these two cards. It's also important to note that due to regulations regarding wireless transmitters, in some countries the "N" protocol wasn't allowed because it was still in "draft" format, so many of the 4965 cards don't have N support. They can be identified by the number 4965AG, and the ones with N support are 4965AGN. Be careful when buying one.