( john_silver | 2025. 06. 05., cs – 13:19 )

Gemma 3 27B

Compare these wifi cards: Intel AX201, Intel AX200, Intel AX100. Which is the best?

Okay, let's break down the Intel AX201, AX200, and AX100 Wi-Fi cards and determine which is the best. Here's a detailed comparison, covering their key features, performance, and where they stand today:

1. Intel AX201

• Wi-Fi Standard: Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax)

• Maximum Theoretical Speed: 2.4 Gbps (5 GHz: 2.4 Gbps, 2.4 GHz: 574 Mbps)

• Bluetooth: Bluetooth 5.1 (or 5.2 depending on revision)

• MIMO: 2x2 MU-MIMO

• Key Features:

  • Supports OFDMA and 1024-QAM for improved efficiency and speed.

  • Target Wake Time (TWT) for better battery life in mobile devices.

  • Generally considered the most widely adopted and readily available Wi-Fi 6 card.

• Form Factor: M.2 2230 (most common)

• Availability: Excellent. Found in many laptops and readily available as an aftermarket upgrade.

• Price: ~$30-50 (depending on retailer and condition)

2. Intel AX200

• Wi-Fi Standard: Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax)

• Maximum Theoretical Speed: 2.4 Gbps (5 GHz: 2.4 Gbps, 2.4 GHz: 574 Mbps)

• Bluetooth: Bluetooth 5.1

• MIMO: 2x2 MU-MIMO

• Key Features:

  • Very similar to the AX201 in terms of Wi-Fi 6 capabilities.

  • The main difference is that the AX200 was initially targeted towards desktop PCs, while the AX201 was for laptops. This meant the AX200 often came with a PCIe adapter for desktop installation.

• Form Factor: M.2 2230 (but often sold with a PCIe adapter)

• Availability: Good, but generally less common than the AX201. You'll find it more often as a desktop PCIe card.

• Price: ~$30-60 (depending on retailer and whether it includes the PCIe adapter)

3. Intel AX100

• Wi-Fi Standard: Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax)

• Maximum Theoretical Speed: 1.73 Gbps (5 GHz: 1.73 Gbps, 2.4 GHz: 574 Mbps)

• Bluetooth: Bluetooth 5.0

• MIMO: 2x2 MU-MIMO

• Key Features:

  • An earlier Wi-Fi 6 offering from Intel.

  • Slightly lower maximum speed compared to the AX200/AX201.

  • Older Bluetooth version (5.0 vs. 5.1/5.2).

• Form Factor: M.2 2230

• Availability: Becoming less common as newer cards have superseded it.

• Price: ~$25-40 (often found at lower prices due to its age)

Here's a table summarizing the key differences:

Which is the Best?

The Intel AX201 is generally the best choice for most users.

Here's why:

• Performance: It offers the same maximum Wi-Fi 6 speed as the AX200 (2.4 Gbps). The real-world difference between the AX201 and AX200 is often negligible.

• Bluetooth: The AX201 has the newer Bluetooth 5.1 or 5.2, which offers improvements in range, speed, and power efficiency compared to the AX100's Bluetooth 5.0.

• Availability & Price: It's the most readily available and often the most competitively priced.

• Wide Compatibility: It's supported by a vast number of laptops and motherboards.

When to consider the others:

• Intel AX200: If you specifically need a Wi-Fi 6 card for a desktop PC and find a good deal on an AX200 with a PCIe adapter, it's a viable option. However, you can also buy an AX201 with a PCIe adapter.

• Intel AX100: Only consider the AX100 if you find it significantly cheaper than the AX201 and don't need the latest Bluetooth version. It's still a Wi-Fi 6 card, but it's becoming outdated.

Important Considerations:

• Router Compatibility: To take full advantage of Wi-Fi 6, you need a Wi-Fi 6 router. If you have an older router (Wi-Fi 5 or older), you won't see the full benefits of these cards.

• Real-World Speeds: The "maximum theoretical speed" is just that – theoretical. Actual speeds will vary depending on your router, network conditions, distance from the router, and interference.

• Driver Support: Ensure that the card you choose has good driver support for your operating system (Windows, Linux, etc.). Intel generally provides good driver support for its Wi-Fi cards.

In conclusion, the Intel AX201 is the sweet spot for performance, features, availability, and price, making it the best overall choice for most users looking to upgrade to Wi-Fi 6.