Which Wi-Fi LAN adapter to buy in a new ThinkPad Laptop?

[lenojustin]

Hello,
I am about to buy a Thinkpad from Lenovo.
Lenovo is offering a few Wi-Fi LAN adapter upgrades from the usual ThinkPad b/g/n. They are:
• Intel Centrino Advanced-N 6205 (2x2 AGN)
• Intel Centrino Ultimate-N 6300 (3x3 AGN) $15.00
• Intel Centrino Advanced-N + WiMAX 6250 -$55

I use it only for business purposes but lots of multi tasking like word, net browsing, etc. I do not play any games and barely watch any movies. I download over Wi-Fi and maximum 5 gb a month. Also I want something which is future proof for at least 3-4 years...

Which one should i get?
Thanks

 

[JackMDS]

• Intel Centrino Ultimate-N 6300 (3x3 AGN) $15.00

P.S. Future proof for few years is an Oxymoron in computing.

For sure these Cards will work well for the next few years.

However, if a new standard will come by No current Wireless card will be Future proof for it.

E.g. Users that have 802.11g only cards from few years ago can use very well there Wireless computers with cards from years ago, but it does not do 802.11n

 

[ViviTheMage]

I went for the 6205 in my x220, because the 6300 removes the camera. If it did not remove the camera, I would have gone 6300.

 

[mammador]

Any of them will be good, since 802.11n won't be superseded in a while. I cannot see it, and even if the IEEE authorise a new standard it doesn't mean N will disappear completely. To use a loose analogy, Windows XP is still used by some (and numerous software vendors make programs for it still) even though it came out over a decade ago.

Another thing is that the bandwidth for wireless N is 600 Mbps, which is more than enough for home use. The major consideration would be the speed of your ISP connection.

 

[lenojustin]

Hello Guys, thank you very very much for your replies! I think all of you pretty much recomended the 6300. But is the 6250 better than that 6300? I am a novice and making this conclusion only based on the assumption that it is $55 and 6300 is $15. Or maybe te price differrence is due to that WiMaX thing. I dont even know what is Wimax... So I guess what i am asking is 6250 a better investment than 6300?

 

[jlazzaro]

spend the extra $15 and get the 6300. it supports 3x3 MIMO instead of just 2x2, better theoretical speeds. i run the 6300 AGN in my T510 without issue.

WiMax is wireless broadband...if you dont know what it is, you probably don't need it.

 

[alkemyst]

wifi is more than just about speeds...

the 3x3 option would be the way I went though. Many thinkpads can be updated later. My T60 was G originally, but the N card and antennas work fine in it.

 

[JackMDS]

Hello Guys, thank you very very much for your replies! I think all of you pretty much recomended the 6300. But is the 6250 better than that 6300? I am a novice and making this conclusion only based on the assumption that it is $55 and 6300 is $15. Or maybe te price differrence is due to that WiMaX thing. I dont even know what is Wimax... So I guess what i am asking is 6250 a better investment than 6300?

Yap, the extra is because of the WinMax.

If you do not know what WinMax is?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WiMAX

 

[lenojustin]

Thank you very very Guys for taking out time to answer my questions! This has settled the matter for me and I am getting the 6300. Kind Regards Justin

 

[gsaldivar]

• Intel Centrino Ultimate-N 6300 (3x3 AGN) $15.00

 

[pitz]

I agree with the other posters. The problem with Thinkpads is that they tend to use a 'whitelist' in their BIOS/firmware which makes using other Wi-Fi cards problematic.

Having said that, in a year from now, 802.11ac cards are likely to be shipping, offering up to 80MHz bandwidth instead of the current 40MHz solutions. So no good reason to spend a ton on a current card unless there's a feature you're looking for.

I personally like to add a GPS and/or 3G/4G card to my laptop, to use mobile data and just for GPS. Might want to check out your options on the Thinkpad as well before you buy.

 

[heymrdj]

I just got the 6205 because as another user said the 6300 (3x3) removes the camera. The camera was a necessary business need so I had to sacrifice.