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Which is the best wifi card for thinkpad?
Posted: Sun Nov 04, 2007 5:18 pm
by fahim
Hello,
I am using now the Intel 3945 on my X60 and am not satisfied. Connection is very poor and there is no good linux support (on ubuntu I can only connect to encrypted networks, not to open networks.
Can anybody tell me if all miniPCI cards do work on X60? Or do I need special cards from IBM? Which one seems to be the best card?
Thank you very much
Posted: Sun Nov 04, 2007 6:07 pm
by EOMtp
Only IBM/Lenovo cards internal WLAN cards will work because the BIOS checks for the card's "signature" at boot time and will not permit booting if one has an "unauthorized" card.
The Intel 3945 has precisely the difficulties that you describe. The ThinkPad 11a/b/g Wireless LAN PCI Express card (by Atheros), FRU #39T5578, works perfectly.
Posted: Sun Nov 04, 2007 6:59 pm
by mfbernstein
EOMtp wrote:The Intel 3945 has precisely the difficulties that you describe. The ThinkPad 11a/b/g Wireless LAN PCI Express card (by Atheros), FRU #39T5578, works perfectly.
Minor note, but the Atheros card does not work under 64-bit Ubuntu, whereas the Intel 3945 does. Both should work find for 32-bit Ubuntu (or did for me, with the latest 2.6.22 kernel in Gutsy).
Posted: Sat Nov 10, 2007 5:01 pm
by tamasrepus
I've never used a notebook with Intel's 3945 wireless chipset, but the Intel 4965 (802.11n-based) so far has been great to me. Great reception, and compared to my old T42p's Atheros card more reliable with fewer disconnects.
Posted: Sat Nov 10, 2007 5:17 pm
by pibach
atheros has better driver support if you wanne do some more complex things. E.g. scan the network in promiscuous mode. Additionally there might be some difference in power consumption, which I don't know.