which among these WiFi LAN adapters to get for thinkpad?

[lenojustin]

Hello, i am buying an i7 thinkpad T430. i am getting a choice between : Integrated WiFi Wireless LAN Adapters * ThinkPad 1x1 b/g/nIntel Centrino Wireless-N 2200 (2x2 BGN) [$0.00] * Intel Centrino Advanced-N 6205 AGN [add $20.00 $10.00] * Intel Centrino Ultimate-N 6300 AGN [add $40.00]I do only business work and lots of YouTube.What should I take? If the ultimate is worth it then 40$ is not an issue. Thanks!

 

[Batmeat]

Standard b/g/n for $0.00 will be fine for your work in my opinion

 

[gsaldivar]

Ultimate for $40.

 

[Lifted]

$0 - 2x2 MIMO (300Mbps), 2.4 GHz
$20 - 2x2 MIMO (300Mbps), 2.4 GHz + 5GHz, plus some enterprise features you prob don't need
$40 - 3x3 MIMO (450Mbps), 2.4 GHz + 5GHz, plus some enterprise features you prob don't need

I would want the 5GHz option (2.4GHz airwaves are crowded).

I don't think you'll see much difference between 300Mbps and 450Mbps, which are not even close to the actual performance you'll see anyway. You would need a 3x3 MIMO router / access point to take advantage of this. If your home router is 2x2 that's the best you'll get.

 

[JackMDS]

It is "Silly" to skip Dual Band option for $20.

Thus, in lack of more precise info about your specific Wireless Bandwidth needs.

I would say: "$20 - 2x2 MIMO (300Mbps), 2.4 GHz + 5GHz".

 

[QuietDad]

b/g/n is b/g/n. Unless you KNOW what your connecting to and what features it will support, it really doesn't matter. The $20 for the added 5Gz band, while it sounds better, there aren't a whole lot of 5Gz band routers out there.

 

[Smoove910]

having the 5ghz antennae just gives you more options going forward. I love having the 5ghz ability on my laptop. I get to connect to my 5ghz channel while the rest of the fam uses the 2.4ghz portion off the router. I'd go for it... it's only $20

 

[Batmeat]

I stand by what I said earlier. 5ghz frequency although nice isn't that great if you aren't close to the access point. Signal degradation is horrendous for it. Since the OP said mainly the laptop is for menial things and youtube the transfer speed over 2.4ghz of 300mb/s or greater is a non issue, unless your back bone to the net is OC3. Does the current wireless network even support anything better then 802.11 bgn? My guess is no.

 

[RossMAN]

Intel Centrino Advanced-N 6205 AGN gets my vote.

 

[RadiclDreamer]

I could be wrong but I dont think the 6300 supports bluetooth, it adds an antenna in its place though.

 

[QuietDad]

None of the three supports bluetooth. One of the other issues is the drivers for thee 6300 let you become a personal hotspot. Just another thing you need to worry about.