WiFi performance in Asus core duo

Curious as to anyone's experiences with the new Asus Core Duo notebook computers' wifi abilities. Decent range, speed, maintain or loss connection, etc? For folks who have used both Core Duo and the prior version of Centrino wifi, any difference? This particular aspect is very important to me in a notebook because I want to be able to use it in the back yard. It is only about 75 feet away, but there are a couple of internal walls and one external wall in the way.
Thanks,
mikeylee

 

Slightly off topic but you could always put a better wifi card in. They're not that expensive and you can probably ebay the original.

 

The new intel core duo uses a different wifi card i believe completely different hardare there are no other cards available yet.

Go to the intel web site the new card is completely different shape doesnt even look like mini pci anymore. i could be wrong though.

 

Oh snap you're right. They've changed to PCIe Mini.

ftp://download.intel.com/network/connectivity/resources/doc_library/tech_brief/31079601.pdf

Lucky us it's at least still a standarized format.

 

Yeah, we got this box of 250 of these new cards and it came in a bulk box that maybe 5 of the retail boxes of the old models could fit in.... I took a look at and realized they did step down to pcie mini.. it's almost like a microdimm ram stick, but with pins on the short side.

I like the performance for far... but it seems similiar if not a little better than the 2915.... it's a good card, but you can't use it in older models...... and you certainly can't replace it yet with anything else.... I don't think anyone else put out wifi cards in this format yet.

 

you need one of these. I don't think they are for sale yet though:

http://www.atheros.com/pt/AR5006EX.htm

 

Is that atheros card supposedly going to be the same form factor? I have read good stuff about Atheros.
Thanks all for the great info.
Hopefully, there will be additional info from others using it.
Justin, very helpful advice man.
mikeylee

 

Was on a quest earlier today to try and locate online stores/ebay that had them. But failed.

I guess people buying now will have to get the default intel card and wait for the atheros. Not sure it will be worth paying for the Wifi card twice though! as long as the Intel card is widely compatible it should be ok.

 

... honestly I just think people don't know how to update the firmware on their routers... and the drivers and software on their system.... and obviously probably don't know how to play with the settings on their system either. I've used a lot of cards and a lot of routers and the only real difference I experienced between certain models, including cards like that Asus made for themselves and the Atheros is higher amplification...... at the end of the day, all it gives you more range but nothing in the way of say higher productivity. Most routers are going to be setup by default to an "auto" speed option... and a card like all of the intel models are by default rather underpowered.... but they're set up for the best power for range to battery life.

If you knew the type of routers I've hooked up and the type of range I typically run at.... you'd see that although more power on wifi (just like cpu and hard drive) is "cool", it's not always the best option. I typically run a lot of stuff over 200 yards.... I could get 300-350 with the Asus or Atheros cards, but I think the 200 yards I usually go is probably 3-4 times more than anyone else in a typical environment goes.

.... you could always get a better router.... I've got a d-link enterprise outdoor model on our office which is on a hill and I can get on our network now about 4 miles away in the middle of a state park lake..... all that for about $450-500...... screw worrying about the card!

 

Justin,
Focus like a laser beam here. Since I do keep my drivers relatively current and am willing to play with settings a bit, I have another related question. Since my original question was related to distance, with the implication that throughput would not tank, and given that I really have no desire to go 4 miles from the house nor spend $400.00 on a router, what router(s) would you recommend as a god combination for the wireless cards Asus is putting in their core duo notebooks?

Of course, feedback from all is hoped for!

Thanks,
mikeylee

 

Basically a;; rputers are fine. But in routers, you sometime pay for a better thing

Here is a guide i wrote up on what wireless router to buy:
http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=33878