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Wireless card options on t400s, differences?
Posted: Thu Oct 29, 2009 1:47 pm
by Louis
I was wondering if there's a big difference between the regular thinkpad wireless adapter and the intel adapters (5100 and 5300) that are offered in the t400s?
I am about to purchase a t400s and Im wondering whether it makes a difference which one I go for. The difference is basically 18.00 more for the 5100 and 36.00 more for the 5300. Not a lot by itself but once you start adding other things to the laptop (camera, etc...) it adds up.
I believe I read somewhere that the 5300 has an extra antenna or something to that effect. Will this matter much in real world scenario?
Thanks
Re: Wireless card options on t400s, differences?
Posted: Fri Oct 30, 2009 10:33 am
by truk
I can't really speak too much for the standard adapter, but I have the 5300 and it gets amazing range. My girlfriend has the 5100 and it's ok, but only gets about 2/3 the quality signal range that I do.
Re: Wireless card options on t400s, differences?
Posted: Fri Oct 30, 2009 10:46 am
by Louis
Thanks for the info!
I have the thinkpad adapter on my z60t and its just OK..especially with Linux. I guess if there's a big difference between the 2 Intel ones I might have to go for the 5300....
Re: Wireless card options on t400s, differences?
Posted: Fri Oct 30, 2009 3:29 pm
by Louis
Great now there's a 4 week wait on the 5300....guess it'll have to be a 5100
Re: Wireless card options on t400s, differences?
Posted: Fri Oct 30, 2009 5:12 pm
by returnzer0
Louis wrote:Great now there's a 4 week wait on the 5300....guess it'll have to be a 5100
You might want to double check that. You might be using a different page than me, but I have it showing that the wait is on the WiMAX part above it, the 5150.
Re: Wireless card options on t400s, differences?
Posted: Fri Oct 30, 2009 6:46 pm
by Louis
I know I saw that too, but if you try to place an order with the 5300 by the time you get to the checkout part your estimated shipping time goes from 11 days to 4 weeks. I called Lenovo to confirm and they did, the website just hasn't been updated yet. They confirmed the 5300 is on backorder.....
I ended up getting the 5100 because I need it by December and I could not risk it....
Re: Wireless card options on t400s, differences?
Posted: Sat Oct 31, 2009 10:22 am
by msnflier
I was able to find a new one on Amazon for about $45, including delivery. Will report back when it arrives.
Re: Wireless card options on t400s, differences?
Posted: Sat Oct 31, 2009 11:10 am
by Louis
I thought about doing that as well, getting it form elsewhere and just upgrading it myself. I'll see how the 5100 works and go from there and if i get a good deal on the 5300 I'll probably get it.
Re: Wireless card options on t400s, differences?
Posted: Sat Oct 31, 2009 12:22 pm
by giant
Did you order a Lenovo part number, or was it just an Intel 5300? From what I remember only the cards with a Lenovo part number and firmware will work in a Thinkpad.