Re: Intel PRO/Wireless 2100 vs. Broadcom BCM9430x

[Davide Libenzi]

On Thu, 12 Jun 2003, Marc Sowen wrote:

> Hi everybody,
>
> I hope this is not too off-topic, but the fact is that neither the Intel
> PRO/Wireless 2100 (Centrino) chipset nor the Broadcom BCM9430x (e.g.
> Dell Truemobile 1180/1300/1400) chipset is currently supported in Linux
> due to FCC regulation problems.
>
> Anyhow, I plan to get a new Notebook within the next 2 or 3 weeks and I
> need to decide, whether to go for the Intel PRO/Wireless 2100 or the
> Broadcom BCM9430x chipset. I know it's hard to say, but what do you
> think, which company (Intel or Broadcom) is more likely to release the
> necessary documents and/or drivers for their chipsets? Both companys
> seem to ignore all inquiries concerning Linux support at the moment.

I used to win the "Dumb context 2003" by buying a laptop w/out checking
the hw compatibility list. It was first sight love :) Now after a series
of custom patches (SiS chipset, pcmcia irq selection, local apic,...)
everything is working fine but the Broadcom integrated WLAN. I suggest you
to go with a machine w/out the integrated WLAN and then buy a supported
pcmcia card (orinoco prismII works great on my machine). To understand who
between Intel and Broadcom will first release specs, take a look at their
web sites for documentation/specs. The answer will become pretty easy.

- Davide