It means that you will not get the Centrino sticker on your system (you'll just get the Pentium M sticker instead).  Otherwise it's basically the same.  It depends whether you want Intel's wireless card or Dell's or if you want b/g instead of just b.  I have the Intel card and it works fine for me; I've heard that the Dell card has better range.  If I had to choose again, I would get the Dell card just so I have the g option.

The Centrino name is the combination the the 855 Chipset, the Pentium M processor, and the Intel Pro/Wireless card. Thats the way thte branding works. If you dont choose that card, you dont get to call it a Centrino anymore, but there is no functional difference (besides the extra features of the wireless card).

Why would you want the slow "b" protocol, when "g" technology is much faster? Go for the card that gives you the "g" protocol. I have had mine since the fall, and it works great.

revbishop

Both 1300 and 1400 support the 'g' protocol. But currently both at my office and home I have the 'b' wireless router. But yes it is a good upgrade for the future and since both are 'b' compatible also they will work in my existing environment.

I guess then the 1300 is the best bet then. Is the 'a' protocol widely used ? Thanks guys