Thinkpads Forum

Hello folks, this is a great site. I'm glad I'm the first to mention it.

I have a new to me one of these great machines (240) running windows XP Pro SP2. I would like to install a wifi card in it. From reading several post I know I can do this, but before I start I would like to know what you all think is the best card. Also I would like to know what 802.11 a b g means.

Atheros looks good but there are so many out there a novice such as myself can get confused.

Hello and welcome to another 240 enthusiast.

I have several 240 and 240X machines and I use a variety of PCMCIA cards and USB dongles for wireless access. Safecom, BlueNext and D-Link are three brands that I have never had problems with. I have an Orinoco card that used to work well but doesn't seem to like my current wireless box.

I use 11b and 11g. In theory 11g will run at about 5 times the data rate of 11b, but in practice I can't tell the difference. The actual sensitivity of the wireless adapter seems more important than the data rate to me.

These devices are cheap. I would advise that you buy any reasonable looking 11g card or dongle and give it a go.

Let us know how you get on.

Thanks for the information icebag. I'll post my results
Michael j

icebag wrote:I use 11b and 11g. In theory 11g will run at about 5 times the data rate of 11b, but in practice I can't tell the difference.

I just switched from 11b to 11g on my 240X some weeks ago, and there ist definitely a difference.

Of course, you need an AP that speaks 11g as well

I agree, a G card is 'better' than a B. Of course the signal from the router has to match.
Are you going to use a simple PCMCIA card, or install a wireless card in the modem slot under the keyboard?
Tim S