T41 Wireless Card Upgrade

[ResidentG33k]

I've been searching the forum but cant find it. I know someone created a topic for which is the best card to use in a T41...

Can anyone help me? I have a Intel Pro Wireless 2100 and want to upgrade to a 802.11g Adapter, which is better the Atheros or the Intel Pro Wireless 2200 abg adapter?

[sojourner]

I will not say which one is BEST because it depends on too many factors. For example, what OS are you wanting to install to? I use Win98SE (amongst others). The only 'G' card I could find to install in every OS used here is the IBM 11b/g, which uses an Atheros chip! The Centrino boot logo went away because the card does not have INTEL's chipset, which was OK with me. Some people INSIST on the Centrino boot logo!

MANY people go to ebay and buy an IBM compatible Atheros because Atheros has the best overall performance, however if you go that route drivers for older OS's may not be available; typically XP drivers are available but I would check to be SURE. Another noteworthy item, when buying these cards you may find even though you can connect well wirelessly, the TP wireless LED and Fn-F5 functions may not work, which is likely the case with this card: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... 0229636936

And there are cards like this (IBM approved)
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... 0229863128
which although having an OLDER Atheros chipset, would likely be an excellent performer in W2K, XP, Vista, Linux, and all wireless and Fn-F5 will work in Windows!

These are just SOME of the options so you have a LOT of considerations !

[ResidentG33k]

well I'm using Windows XP Pro. I have the T41 1.6ghz processor model with a gig of ram. I have a 120gb hdd if that matters. And currently i have the Intel Pro Wireless 2100b

[underclocker]

I've been searching the forum but cant find it. I know someone created a topic for which is the best card to use in a T41...

Can anyone help me? I have a Intel Pro Wireless 2100 and want to upgrade to a 802.11g Adapter, which is better the Atheros or the Intel Pro Wireless 2200 abg adapter?

You have seveal options, which I will list below, but the answer to your question is that the consensus on this board leans toward the Atheros-based adapters. They generally seem to have 1) less disconnects, 2) stronger signals, 3) ability to identify more available access points. To some degree this has been my experience as well. However, I've really never had an issue with Intel adapters and Intel adapters may be better at power savings, an advantage if you'd like longer battery life.

You incorrectly called the Intel abg card the 2200 model, that is the bg model, the 2915 is the abg Intel model. In addition to those two, you can select an IBM/Atheros bg, IBM/Atheros abg or an IBM/Atheros abg II.

Any of the five would be fine upgrades, IMHO. All sell for about the same amount, $25 - $45, depending on availability, luck, time and eBay skill.

[bill bolton]

the consensus on this board leans toward the Atheros-based adapters.

No, it doesn't.

Some here prefer Atheros, others prefer Intel, that's as far as it goes.

Cheers,

Bill B.

[underclocker]

"Consensus" is the wrong word. However, there are numerous threads about the options and a rather vocal population prefer the Atheros adapters and write about it.

My experience with the adapters, perhaps with a hundred of them, is listed above. And I still don't have a preference between Atheros and Intel, for me, any differences aren't significant enough to affect my buying decisions.