Right Palmrest Heat Solution Review

[smvp6459]

I've tried it all (Intel WiFi, Atheros WiFi, various power settings, disabling all sorts of devices) and nothing fixed the hot palm rest. The only thing that would keep the palmrest to a comfortable temperature on AC was disabling the WiFi (but there is still some warmth).

I took the plunge and bought this PCMCIA card ( http://www.3com.com/products/en_US/deta ... 3CRPAG175B ) in the hopes that I could end my heat woes (before the summer heat exacerbated the problem further).

It's working out quite well, so I thought I'd post my impressions:

1. The right palm rest still radiates warmth, but it is much cooler. Turn off your WiFi and you'll get an idea of the temperature to expect.

2. When I use the 3Com card, the left palmrest now radiates about the same temperature as the right palmrest does with the internal WiFi turned off.

3. The card has good reception. I would guess that it is somewhere between the Intel and the Atheros card for reception, being a little closer to the Atheros end of the reception-spectrum. Not bad, given its antenna versus the built-in screen antenna. I still have the Atheros card in the machine in case I need it, but I have it disabled in Windows, in the BIOS, and the hardware switch is set to off.

4. Power consumption seems to range from 6.9W to 11W depending on what is being downloaded and what else is happening on the machine (processor at full blast/harddrive spinning).

5. The antenna, when pushed in, is almost flush with the laptop, but it is barely noticeable and causes no problems when putting it into my Waterfield sleeve.

6. The setup was simple. They include a CD and you can also download the client and drivers from 3com online.

7. The wireless client is pretty straightforward and has power consumption controls for the card. It handles WPA2 with AES with no problem. It also appears to have the ability to manage windows and wireless connection at login (but I don't use this feature).

8. The light emitting diode is really, really obnoxious. It is a bright green flashing light that, for me, is in a spot that attracts my attention. I fixed this issue with a piece of a white label, a black marker, and a piece of tape to secure it.

9. The card will not operate without the antenna extended. It's not just that reception is bad, there must be a sensor that tells driver not to operate or a circuit that prevents the card from being fully operational. I think this choice is unfortunate, but not a deal-breaker.

9. Overall, I'm happy with the setup. I think Lenovo screwed up with its general design, but this is the best alternative I could reach without giving up WiFi altogether.

If anyone wants pictures, I could probably post them if someone is considering the same decision.

Also, I bought my card at provantage.com, which was the best price/reputation combination I could find. There are some refurbished units that can be had for less, but I don't want refurbished and have no dealings/information about the other companies I found.

http://www.provantage.com/3com-3crpag175b~73COC031.htm

[proaudioguy]

This one sits flush. It also has 2 antenna jacks and it's 300 mw.

http://www.fab-corp.com/product.php?pro ... 266&page=1



This one is what I use in my A31 and it works better than the internal in the X60T.

http://www.fab-corp.com/product.php?pro ... 266&page=1

I'm sure there will be a Vista driver if there isn't already.

[bunt]

To smvp6459:

Is the testing of right palmrest issue done on x60 or x61? Anyone who had used both machine can tell whether the x61 did have some improvement on the right palmrest issue?

Best Regards,

Andrew

[smvp6459]

Is the testing of right palmrest issue done on x60 or x61?

This is the X60s I'm talking about. It didn't sound like the X61 is much better designed. The wireless card is still under the right palm rest. My understanding is that if you have the WWAN, there is a second fan. However, that wouldn't help people w/o WWAN. They'd need to have some super low-power WiFi or serious heat-shielding to correct the problem, and it does not sound like that happened. Maybe an X61 owner can comment on this topic.

[Antioch]

I'm pretty sure the OP was talking about the X60.

Also, not many people have received their X61's yet so you probably won't get an answer for a few weeks. Although if I had to guess I would say that the heat issue has gotten better. Why? Well Intel and Lenovo are saying that the new line of laptops sporting the Santa Rosa chipset (R61, T61, X61) run with less power, are faster, and cooler.

[dclee012]

It's summer where I am, and it's HOT. I'm really not liking this super-heated right palm rest on the X60s...

Has anyone else used a PCMCIA WiFi w/ noticeably less heat on the palm rest?
Are there cards that don't require an external antennae?
And can a 3rd party PCMCIA card be properly configured with Access Connections?

Thanks.

[smvp6459]

1. Are there cards that don't require an external antennae?
2. And can a 3rd party PCMCIA card be properly configured with Access Connections?.

1. None that I could find, the 3COM's retractable antenna is the best option available. If you're good with electronics, it might be possible to solder a USB wifi adaptor somewhere in the machine. I'm not sure what would happen, but you might be able to un-retract the 3COM's antenna and saw it off so that it is flush and antenna-less. I'd be curious to know what would happen, but not so curious as to possibly waste my own $80. It's really not bad at all.

2. It can't seem to see it.

[GomJabbar]

There are cards that have a built-in antenna that makes the card stick out of the side of the laptop an inch or so.

Here is but one example of many. The part to the right of the orange label is what sticks out from the side of the laptop.

http://www.netgear.com/Products/Adapter ... pters.aspx

[smvp6459]

There are cards that have a built-in antenna that makes the card stick out of the side of the laptop an inch or so.

I think the poster meant to ask if there's a PCMCIA card that is flush with the slot and does not require an external antenna attachment (and presumably has decent reception).

I'm 99% sure the Orinoco Gold above is a card with the external antenna that juts out, just like the one you posted. Probably the vast majority of wireless PCMCIA cards in existence have an antenna that remains outside of the slot at all times.

[proaudioguy]

There are cards that require external antennas, that do not stick out.

There are cards that do both. They have an antenna sticking out, which can be removed then there are 2 antenna jacks.

Most if not all cards have U.FL connectors inside. These are designed for only a few connect, disconnect cycles, not everyday use. You could buy one of the cards that uses external antennas, and sits flush, remove the cover of the card, drill a hole or two, and route the computers built in antenna cables to the card. Obviously removing the card would destroy the antenna wires, so you would not want to do that.

I realize it's an extreme solution, but it is an answer to the question. I'd do it if I needed to keep the antennas internal.
Modding my A31 has not been a problem.

[smvp6459]

There are cards that do both. They have an antenna sticking out, which can be removed then there are 2 antenna jacks.

Can these get any kind of reception with the card's antenna removed and no antenna plugged into the two jacks?

[proaudioguy]

There are cards that do both. They have an antenna sticking out, which can be removed then there are 2 antenna jacks.

Can these get any kind of reception with the card's antenna removed and no antenna plugged into the two jacks?

Yea, but you would have to be very close to the WAP.

I wonder how hot this bad boy gets.
http://www.fab-corp.com/product.php?pro ... 291&page=1

I wish I knew if it would run without a boot error. They really have no business limiting the devices we can use. They don't limit the PCMCIA cards, so what difference does it really make?

[proaudioguy]

You know, you could use this http://www.fab-corp.com/product.php?pro ... 266&page=1

And make a small antenna out of a pigtail. You could tape it tight to the side of the computer and you would only have the slightest protrusion of the antenna plug.

They also have an antenna that's flat and can be mounted to the back of your screen. It is supposed to be a top performer and isn't cheap. I couldn't find it tonight on the site.