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Worth upgrading networking in T61 from G to N?
Posted: Sat May 01, 2010 3:15 pm
by JoeSchmoe007
I own T61 (8891CTO, 4x3 screen) with Intel 3945 ABG internal network adapter
At the time of purchase I didn't opt for N adapter b/c back then the standard still was not ratified.
Are there currently internal cards for this laptop that support final version of N standard? If the answer is yes - how difficult it is to upgrade and is it really worthwhile?
Re: Worth upgrading networking in T61 from G to N?
Posted: Sun May 02, 2010 12:10 am
by sjthinkpader
I did make the upgrade to 11n in my T60. But over a 3Mb DSL line for web access, it is not useful. If you are doing backups to a NAS with gigabit ethernet, it will gain some speed. So it depends on where and how you will use WiFi.
Re: Worth upgrading networking in T61 from G to N?
Posted: Sun May 02, 2010 7:12 pm
by Tseng
In your case, I'd say that upgrade would be a good choice.
Intel 3945 is one of the worst wireless card out there.
And in the real life applications, the Atheros does perform much better.
So upgrade from Intel 3945 to Atheros 11a/b/g/n would be a big boost in the term connectivity.
Re: Worth upgrading networking in T61 from G to N?
Posted: Tue May 04, 2010 12:24 am
by bill bolton
Tseng wrote:Intel 3945 is one of the worst wireless card out there.
And in the real life applications, the Atheros does perform much better.
My experience was directly opposite to that.
It had a T60 with a 3945 but wanted to upgrade to 802.11n capability.
I bought an Atheros card and was very disappointed with its 802.11g performance compared to the 3945, and the Atheros 802.11n performance was also disappointing compared to other ThinkPads I had with 4965 cards, plus it interferred with Bluetooth operation!
I then installed a Zender modified BIOS in the T60 and bought an Intel 4965 to replace the Atheros card.
Both the Intel cards outperformed the Atheros card in 802.11g operation and the 4965 also beat it in terms of 802.11n performance.
Cheers,
Bill B.
Re: Worth upgrading networking in T61 from G to N?
Posted: Mon May 10, 2010 6:59 pm
by Radioguy
Tseng wrote:In your case, I'd say that upgrade would be a good choice.
Intel 3945 is one of the worst wireless card out there.
And in the real life applications, the Atheros does perform much better.
So upgrade from Intel 3945 to Atheros 11a/b/g/n would be a big boost in the term connectivity.
Agreed. It's no hype that the increased sensitivity of Atheros compared to Intel based cards continues to be true. Also, I am not alone in experiencing no impact on Bluetooth when I upgraded to an Atheros N card on my T61.