SIS chipset or Intel 855?

[Brahma]

I've been doing a little research into buying a new notebook.

From what I've seen it appears that I'm going to have to make my choice of a Centrino system, which restrict me to use solely, an Intel wireless card, or have to use a SIS chipset just so I can get a new dothan processor system. I don't won't to be restricted to the intel wireless network card, so I have to NOT buy a system with the 855 chipset just to get the wireless card I want? Please somebody correct me if I'm not understanding this right.

If I am, then Intel is trying to force us to buy a combination of Processor, Chipset, and wireless network all of their make, just to get the particular components I want. That's just wrong.

What, is Intel getting their marketing pointers from MS now?

[DMan82]

Actually, if my understanding is correct, the system merely has to include an Intel-branded wireless card in order for the system to be labelled with "Centrino Technology." Any card should work.

-Douglas

[Brahma]

So, to get the 855 chipset, I'll have to order the laptop without a wireless network card and then go to the trouble to add the card aftermarket. That's underhanded in my book.

[ImaNihilist]

You can get an 855 system with a Pentium-M without a Intel WiFi card. It's possible. Look at IBM. You can get them with NO card at all, or IBM a/b/g cards.

This has just been in my experiance though, the Intel WiFi card is VERY GOOD. Why? Driver compatability. I've found that aftermarket PCI/USB/PCMIA wifi cards can have driver conflicts with XP. I don't know what it is, but I've noticed it with cards from Netgear, Linksys, and D-Link. Maybe I just pick all the wrong cards, but the Intel WiFi card in Centrino notebooks seems to work flawlessly.

[ATilaptops]

Originally posted by ImaNihilist
You can get an 855 system with a Pentium-M without a Intel WiFi card. It's possible. Look at IBM. You can get them with NO card at all, or IBM a/b/g cards.

This has just been in my experiance though, the Intel WiFi card is VERY GOOD. Why? Driver compatability. I've found that aftermarket PCI/USB/PCMIA wifi cards can have driver conflicts with XP. I don't know what it is, but I've noticed it with cards from Netgear, Linksys, and D-Link. Maybe I just pick all the wrong cards, but the Intel WiFi card in Centrino notebooks seems to work flawlessly.

yeah, they're fine cards. And replacing them yourself isn't underhanded at all.

I am building my own Centrino laptop, and I'm using the Intel card, cause no one ever complains, and there's no reason to waste any money on some $200 voodoo super wireless g card for 10% mroe performance over the $20 Intel card. Get it, you'll be happy.

Edit: if you're willing to wait, I could build you a laptop for less than you'll find anywhere else (with comparable specs) and you can use whatever card you want. Only 1.1" thick, and comes in silver or black, wide screen or regular, 9600 or 9700 gfx card and all customizable. I may have to ask my friend, but he'd probably say yes.