Thinkpads Forum

I am trying to purchase a thinkpad, but am terribly confused about the wireless in the model I want. Here are the specs that matter:

Processor: Intel Pentium M Processor 750 (1.86GHz 2MB L2 Cache 533MHz FSB) (Standard)

Integrated wireless: Intel PRO/Wireless 2200BG (Standard)

Ok, so does this mean it HAS wireless?? Because when I customize I can also choose any of:
Wireless connectivity [2] [Help me decide]
Erricson GC83 Edge PC Card [$249.99]
IBM 11a/b/g Wireless CardBus Adapter [$80.10]
IBM 11a/b/g Wireless LAN Mini PCI Adapter [$89.10]
IBM 11a/b/g Wireless LAN Mini PCI Adapter II [$36.00]
IBM 11a/b/g Wireless LAN Mini PCI Adapter II (US) [$58.50]
Intel PRO/Wireless 2200BG Mini-PCI Adapter from IBM [$53.10]
Intel Pro/Wireless 2200BG Mini PCI Adapter [$9.00]
Sprint PCS Wireless WAN Card [$179.00]

So it sounds like I need one of these things to actually connect? But they are all called "adapter" so does that mean that these just allow me to add yet another item (pci card) that will let me connect? Ahh, very confusing! Also...any recomendations on a type of "wireless connectivity" thing if I do need one? I want to use linux, so I'm leaning toward the Intel Pro/Wireless one (but there are 2...so confused....) since I have found linux drivers for that "one." I really appreciate any help.

perhaps you should post your question in the linux forum again, if intel or Atheros is better supported. I am quite happy with my Atheros a/b card and the linux madwifi driver, but I don't know about Intel and Linux.

If you search a little bit in this forum you can see that Atheros chipsets seems to cause less problems compared to Intel under Win XP, so personally I would go with the IBM adapter if it's possible. But if your Thinkpad Configuration says Integrated wireless: Intel PRO/Wireless 2200BG (Standard), you don't need anything else. You just could replace it with one of the other mentioned mini-pci adapter.

Thanks, the biggest confusion is that if I am just replacing the integrated wireless, why are two of the options:

Intel PRO/Wireless 2200BG Mini-PCI Adapter from IBM [$53.10]
Intel Pro/Wireless 2200BG Mini PCI Adapter [$9.00]

Isnt that what is already standard from what I described?

I use Linux with a T41 and the pro/w 2200BG and the open source drivers:

http://ipw2200.sourceforge.net

and it works flawlessly.