Intel Dual Band Wireless AC vs AN. What's the point of AN?

[cb474]

On the T440s, you have the option for the same price ($30) to choose either the Intel Dual Band Wireless 7260AN or the 7260AC card.

Isn't the AC standard completely backwards compatible with A, B, G, and N? So what's the point of the 7260AN?

[RealBlackStuff]

The AN only uses standard ABGN
The AC uses standard ABGN plus the new AC.

Intel makes even more of a mess:
http://www.legitreviews.com/intel-7260h ... 11n_135541

[ajkula66]

Isn't the AC standard completely backwards compatible with A, B, G, and N? So what's the point of the 7260AN?

Not quite.

On the AC cards the 5GHz band is AC only, leaving just the 2.4GHz band for the rest and limiting the speed to anywhere between 150 and 300Mbps, depending on a number of factors. In most scenarios it will be 150Mbps.

[TTY]

On the AC cards the 5GHz band is AC only, leaving just the 2.4GHz band for the rest...

I suppose you must be mistaken. The Dual Band 7260AC card is specified to be able to do IEEE 802.11 abgn. That means it can do 802.11a and most probably 802.11n in the 5 GHz band too.

[TTY]

So what's the point of the 7260AN?

From what i understand, and as long as both cards cost the same, there is no point in getting the 7260AN card. The Dual Band 7260AC should be able to do all the 7260AN card can do plus IEEE 802.11ac.

[killer]

So what's the point of the 7260AN?

From what i understand, and as long as both cards cost the same, there is no point in getting the 7260AN card. The Dual Band 7260AC should be able to do all the 7260AN card can do plus IEEE 802.11ac.

Agreed.

[ajkula66]

Question:

Has any of you been able to get over 300Mbps using 7260AC on a *non-AC* dual-band router? I haven't.

[TTY]

Question:

Has any of you been able to get over 300Mbps using 7260AC on a *non-AC* dual-band router?

I don't think anyone could hope for getting more than 300 Mbps throughput with an 7260AC card in a non-802.11ac network. The 7260AC card uses a maximum of two spatial streams per direction. With 802.11n technology, each spatial stream can deliver a theoretical maximum of 150 Mbps, but real throughput will probably be much lower.

[ajkula66]

With 802.11n technology, each spatial stream can deliver a theoretical maximum of 150 Mbps, but real throughput will probably be much lower.

I'd beg to differ since I've seen 450Mbps with Atheros 9380 and only two antennae more than once.

[TTY]

I'd beg to differ since I've seen 450Mbps with Atheros 9380 and only two antennae more than once.

The Atheros 9380 uses three spatial streams. I suppose that the card's third connector - the one, to which no antenna is connected - might still work as a transmitter, even if no antenna is connected. That could explain the higher speed.

[ajkula66]

The Atheros 9380 uses three spatial streams. I suppose that the card's third connector - the one, to which no antenna is connected - might still work as a transmitter, even if no antenna is connected. That could explain the higher speed.

That sounds like a plausible explanation, or at least a part of the equation.

I have a build coming up and am intent on testing several cards - including the "non-AC 7260" - as a part of that project.

We'll see what I come back with. Stay tuned...

[cb474]

So what's the point of the 7260AN?

From what i understand, and as long as both cards cost the same, there is no point in getting the 7260AN card. The Dual Band 7260AC should be able to do all the 7260AN card can do plus IEEE 802.11ac.

Yes, I understand that the AC card can do everything the AN card can, plus it has AC. I thought I indicated that in the OP.

I think people have misunderstood my question. My question is, why does Lenovo offer the choice of either the 7260AN or the 7260AC for the same price, on the T440s, if the 7260AC does everything the 7260AN does, plus it has AC? It doesn't make sense.

[RealBlackStuff]

They need to get rid of surplus/old stock.
And not everybody has or wants AC, because it only works on 5HGz and over a shorter distance than N.
See also here: http://www.zdnet.com/article/gigabit-wi ... d-to-know/

[cb474]

They need to get rid of surplus/old stock.
And not everybody has or wants AC, because it only works on 5HGz and over a shorter distance than N.
See also here: http://www.zdnet.com/article/gigabit-wi ... d-to-know/

Ah, thanks. Seems like it would make more sense to charge a lower price of the AN card, then, otherwise people have no incentive to not just get the AC card. Unless Lenovo is just praying on people's ignorance.