built in antenna

[EvanAdams]

I've heard that IBM and Apple lappys have built in antenas for better wireless signal performance. Do anyone else have these? Does anyone have built in antena ports for an external antena? (NOT in a PCMCIA card, I know how to do that)

 

[eriqesque]

Some of the panasonic toughbooks have retractable antenna.

 

[EvanAdams]

do the antenas on apples or ibms make a difference?

 

[Frightcrawler]

I believe it increases the range slightly, but don't be surprised if I'm wrong.

 

[Kenmitch]

The Dell 600m has internal antenna....Not sure but I would think that most laptops with the built in wireless would have an internal antenna

 

[dannybek]

all laptops that have an internal wireless mini-pci card have a internal antenna as well. Some antennas are better than others. I can vouch for my T40, compared to my homemade internal antenna, 800LCI centrino notebook, Dlink PCMCIA wireless card, all are uncomparable to the T40's internal antenna. The powerful reception on the T40 could pick up signals from other wireless signals around my general vicinity.

 

[aphex]

Originally posted by: dannybek
all laptops that have an internal wireless mini-pci card have a internal antenna as well. Some antennas are better than others. I can vouch for my T40, compared to my homemade internal antenna, 800LCI centrino notebook, Dlink PCMCIA wireless card, all are uncomparable to the T40's internal antenna. The powerful reception on the T40 could pick up signals from other wireless signals around my general vicinity.

Same on my T41. Through three walls and about 40-45 feet my connection shows 93%.

 

[WackyDan]

Most have internals.... But it's how many and where they are located that matters...

For the longest time, Dell put their ant's under the palm rest.... Not a good performing design/placement.

IBM not only puts one in the display lid, but PUTS TWO in the display lid of their ThinkPads.... I think they are the only vendor using two ant's/ Why? one is horizontally aligned and one verticle. The ant that gets the strongest signal is the one that handles the connection and they switch between the two as needed. I too can vouch for the wireless reception of my ThinkPads.

 

[dannybek]

Toshiba has two antennas, and they are located in the LCD lid. so does Vpr Matrix (Samsung OEM) 180B5, and my Acer 800Lci has two. I know that my T40 has the best performing antenna.

 

[nortexoid]

i think it's common practice for manufacturers to place internal antennae in the LCD lid..generally at the top.

i would get a faster connection picking up a signal in my building than my ADSL provided...which is why i cancelled it. latencies weren't good however, but then again, i don't game much so it didn't matter.

 

[davegraham]

i second the toshiba commment from Dannybek...my Sat A40 works wonders when war driving, picking up many networks from 500ft...

cheers,

dave

 

[Crusty]

My latitude D500 has an internal antenna