Atheros vs Intel wifi

[edelrc]

Hi guys!

Well, the title says it all... What are the differences you have encountered between these two approaches on the X60/X61?

I wanted to use Linux so, it used to be better Atheros... is it still true nowdays?

Are the new Intel better (range or compativility) than 4 years ago?
I remember these forum been highly agains intel´s wifi, but now people are choosen it more than Atheros...

[jdhurst]

I don't use Linux except within a virtual machine, so I cannot say about that. Within Windows, however, the Atheros-based card has always worked well (my IBM 11 a/b/g Atheros card in my T41 is and has been flawless). Where I have used them, the newer Intel cards have worked well (where the first ones did not). So if you have a choice - use Atheros. If your machine has a new Intel card, try to work with it. ... JDH

[edelrc]

Hi jdhurst!!! I remember you from when I was puzeling in this same forum about my (then) new Thinkpad T42p. Glad to see you around, you helped me so much then with multiple posts!!!

Yes, I have Atheros too and I only have good things to tell about it... what is puzzeling is to see now people in waves adquiring the new intel cards so I was wondering what has changed since!

Greetings!

[sugo]

I have used the following mini-pci(e) cards on laptops over the past few years:

Atheros AR5001x, AR5005G and AR5006EX based cards
Intel 2100B, 2200BG, 3945ABG cards

In my experience with home and corporate WiFi networks Atheros excels in connection/driver stability while Intel has an edge on less heat, lower idle power consumption and wider OS driver support (Server 2003 and Linux).

[tamasrepus]

I use a 4965AGN in Linux and it works fine, despite the drivers being new.

The newer Atheros-based 802.11abgn card is pretty new, and the drivers were not very good last time I looked when I purchased my current machine (6 months ago). The current generation of Atheros cards are much warmer than previous--search the forums for complaints about heat issues with the Atheros card.

I'd go with the Intel card, as it's cheaper, and Intel (as of late, anyway) has more of a devotion to open-source than Atheros.