which INTERNAL intel wireless card should i purchase

Question

Hey guys,   I have a two year old i5100, and at the time of purchase, I had no need for wireless capability.  However, I am not wanting to upgrade, and I have no desire to have a PCI card sticking out the side of my computer.  I can still buy these from Dell, and am simply curious as to whether or not I should purchase the intel pro 2200 b/g wireless card or the intel pro 2915 a/b/g wireless card.  There should not be a difference in speed right?   The only advantage seems to be that IF i had a network running 5GHz, then I would of course need the pro 2915.  But otherwise, the 2200 should suffice...correct?   And should one suspect that most wireless networks will be at 5GHz within a couple of years?  or is the 2.4GHz such a solid standard, that many will continue to use it?   thanks for your opinions.

jingyenshiau · Answer

@cazint wrote: '... the intel pro 2200 b/g wireless card or the intel pro 2915 a/b/g wireless card.  There should not be a difference in speed right?   'The only advantage seems to be that IF i had a network running 5GHz, then I would of course need the pro 2915.  But otherwise, the 2200 should suffice...correct?'   Both are correct. a and g have the same speed, and there is no need to get 5 GHz if you have the 2.4 GHz-equivalence running.   'And should one suspect that most wireless networks will be at 5GHz within a couple of years?  or is the 2.4GHz such a solid standard, that many will continue to use it?' Three years ago I started using 802.11a because there was no such thing as 802.11g. The 5 GHz market hasn't expanded at all in these years, especially after the release of the new 2.4 GHz standard (the 'g'). Will 5 GHz network someday take the lead? Probably not in the next five years, if it ever does. Though the 2.4 GHz bandwidth seems very crowded, in reality no devices really run into interference. To the contrary, because 2.4 GHz network has wider coverage area, more people want to use this frequency! Message Edited by jingyenshiau on 06-14-2005 06:35 PM

Jerry Park · Answer

Until/unless Intel fixes the problems with the drivers for their cards, I would avoid the 2200BG and the 2915ABG.

cazint · Answer

thanks for the reply. I was unaware of any issues with the drivers of intels internal wireless cards. Are these "known" issues, or is it a handful of people who have had problems. And with these issues, what is the problem? I mean, is it software conflicts, hardware conflicts?

And if you do not recommend the intel, what internal wireless card would you recommend.

Thanks.

Jerry Park · Answer

The drivers reduce the Transmit power arbitrarily. When reduced sufficiently, you may lose connection.

It is a bug because Intel's own documentation notes that the default setting is maximum transmit power. You can force the card to increase the transmit power by changing the settings manually, but when you log off, etc. the settings you made are lost.

I don't have any specific recommendation. I bought the Intel 2915ABG thinking it would be a good card. (The card seems capable if Intel would fix the drivers).

Networking, Internet, & Bluetooth

which INTERNAL intel wireless card should i purchase

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