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    Intel 5300 vs 5350 on T61

    Discussion in 'Lenovo' started by BNHabs, Apr 15, 2009.

  1. BNHabs

    BNHabs Notebook Deity

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    I am able to upgrade my 495 in my T61 to one of these cards. Should I choose the 5300 or 5350. 5350 is more expensive and I don't even know what Wimax is.. Which would be better?

    (Yes, I am able to upgrade... I have a custom BIOS)...
     
    BNHabs, Apr 15, 2009
    #1
  2. jonlumpkin

    jonlumpkin NBR Transmogrifier

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    The 5300 and 5350 are the same card except for WiMax.

    WiMax is sometimes referred to as 4G and is a wireless metropolitan area network that may replace 3G/EVDO in the future. However, at present it is only available in Baltimore and Portland, and it's rollout is uncertain.

    To learn more about WiMax read the wikiand check out Sprint's XohM.


    In general, the 5300 is a perfectly safe choice, but if the price difference isn't too large the 5350 may be a good choice for "futureproofing".
     
    jonlumpkin, Apr 15, 2009
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  3. BNHabs

    BNHabs Notebook Deity

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    Will there be a monthly fee if Wiimax was located in my area?
     
    BNHabs, Apr 15, 2009
    #3
  4. jonlumpkin

    jonlumpkin NBR Transmogrifier

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    Unless your University, municipality, or Employer implemented it then there will almost certainly be a fee.

    Sprint is currently charging $35 a month for WiMax. This is a bargain compared to the far slower (and capped at 5GB) EVDO at $60, but it is (at least at the moment) a local rather than national plan.
     
    jonlumpkin, Apr 15, 2009
    #4
  5. BNHabs

    BNHabs Notebook Deity

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    I don't plan to ever pay for a service like this unless my Univeristy, municipality, or Employer offers it for free..

    I think it's say to say I should save my $30 and go for the other card? I just don't simply have the money at this point to spend it on for services like WiiMax. When do you think (guess/estimate) when WiiMax will be fully implemented in all of North America (United States, Canada, Mexico)?
     
    BNHabs, Apr 15, 2009
    #5
  6. sgogeta4

    sgogeta4 Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    Won't be any time soon...
     
    sgogeta4, Apr 15, 2009
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  7. ZaZ

    ZaZ Super Model Super Moderator

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    If you have no money to pay for service, why do it? It's probably more hassle than it's worth unless you're having an issue which needs addressing.
     
    ZaZ, Apr 15, 2009
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  8. mullenbooger

    mullenbooger Former New York Giant

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    Why and how do you have a custom bios?
     
    mullenbooger, Apr 15, 2009
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  9. MaxGeek

    MaxGeek Notebook Evangelist

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    You need a custom bios because lenovo has locks in the bios which prevent you from using a none Lenovo wifi card. Basicially if you upgraded the wifi the laptop won't boot and will give an error unless you bought the card from lenovo or got one out of a lenovo. The custom bios takes care of this lock.

    To the OP did you have an N card in your laptop before? You may not have 3 antenna's if you didn't.
     
    MaxGeek, Apr 16, 2009
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  10. MeruGuru

    MeruGuru Newbie

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    can you post a pointer or email me a pointer to the custom bios -

    have been trying to find a way to install the 5300 I bought on ebay for months

    big thanks in advance
     
    MeruGuru, Jun 25, 2009
    #10
  11. LoneWolf15

    LoneWolf15 The Chairman

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    Why would you upgrade from an Intel 4965AGN card? The 4965AGN is a perfectly good card, second in performance only to the Intel 5300; it in fact outperforms the newer Intel 5100.

    Personally, unless you have a malfunctioning WiFi card, I think you'll spend money, and gain little or nothing.
     
    LoneWolf15, Jun 25, 2009
    #11
  12. pacmandelight

    pacmandelight Notebook Deity

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    Save your money and keep the 4965AGN. There are a lot of headaches involved with changing the wireless card.
     
    pacmandelight, Jun 26, 2009
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  13. erik

    erik modifier

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    +1 on the 4965AGN.   i have a 5300 in my X61s and it doesn't seem any better than the 4965 it replaced.   then again, i'm one of those old-fashioned types who use a gigabit ethernet connection to transfer files because ethernet beats wireless any day of the week.
     
    erik, Jun 26, 2009
    #13