Best laptop network card

Hi all,

I have a Lenovo Yoga Slim 7 Pro X, AMD based. It comes with a MediaTek Wi-Fi 6E MT7922 wireless card. It's been flakey recently, I can connect to my WiFi AP, access devices I need to control but at some point I am unable to ping anything - but the wireless connection is still active. Only solution is to turn off and on the Wifi.

I see online quite a few complaints about this card - though it's mostly speed.

The card is modular on the motherboard and someone mentioned they just replaced it with an Intel one. Not that Intel are exempt from issues but is there a GOOD network card which would recommend?

I don't need speed, I use the laptop to control specialised equipment and what I need is RELIABILITY. I often prefer 2.4GHz for that reason.

Thanks!

A quick way maybe to look up the Lenovo spare parts list specific to your Laptop model you may find a couple of white listed Wireless Cards.

There are complications with the exact M.2 interface for Wireless Cards.

Mine is an Intel Wi-Fi 6E AX211 (M.2: CNVio2). Not suitable for your Lenovo, however it is reliable.
The Lenovo Vantage App has diagnostics and a history list of disconnections.

MediaTek Wi-Fi 6E MT7922 (M.2: NGFF, Not compatible with M.2: CNVio) ??? double check, just a quick google.

thanks - I only see the MediaTek for my model on Lenovo support. I thought the AX211 would be a good choice for an AMD system? Are there different M.2 type of connectors?

I'll check Vantage but Windows says I am still connected - I just can't ping anything anymore.
Meanwhile I realised I was on 5GHz and on "wide" channels. I'm trying to tell Windows not to use the 5GHz WiFi and I've removed the wide channel option.

But I'd be good to know if there is an HW option which could work with my system.

What I see on the image posted is that the Wireless card is next to the left cooling fan, could be an electrical issue, interference with the signal. As for 2G or 5G/6G, there usually is 2 choices on the wireless connection in the Notification Area near the clock for choosing either 2G or 5G for the same Router which provides both types of signals. This is for my Netgear Router, usually many listed for neighbors.



To test the wireless device activity I disable the onboard/built-in device then use a USB Wireless Dongle such as EdiMax.

"I thought the AX211 would be a good choice for an AMD system?"
As I said, wrong interface, it would not work at all.

"But I'd be good to know if there is an HW option which could work with my system."

There should be, but you will need to research the right Interface Card. Maybe Lenovo user groups/forums or whatever.

As for 2.4 GHz only, my Netgear router WAP has the option of turning on/off both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz.

the Airport Express cannot disable 5GHz but I asked it to use a different name.
I'll see if that helps. It's an AP I have used for many years and it has always been working great for me. But that was with intel WiFi cards.

According to the lenovo "parts" section, this is the adaptor I have in my laptop. Would you happen to know what interface that is?

I suggest removing, cleaning and re-seating the card. Also unclip and re-clip the 2 antennas, one at a time. Also verify you have the latest wifi driver from Lenovo.
EDIT also try 5Ghz

I see 210's on ebay with the same M.2 keying. No idea if they would work.

If you have a spare usb port you can always pick up a usb wireless adapter. They are pretty cheap.
Just disable the internal wireless adapter in device manager. If the internal card also supplies blue tooth just leave it enabled.

My favourite m.2 Wifi card is Qualcomm QCNCM865. It's available for cheap from many aliexpress sellers.

Helmut said:

MediaTek Wi-Fi 6E MT7922 (M.2: NGFF, Not compatible with M.2: CNVio)

Click to expand...

Assuming that is true, here is a little info to help:

There are 2 interfaces: PCIe with USB and CNVio (all of these take the M.2 form factor).

As an example, the Intel WiFi 7 adapter BE200 and BE201 are the same adapter, different interface. The BE200 uses PCIe for WiFi and USB for the bluetooth. The BE201 is CNVio. You MUST get an adapter that matches your type so if the above info is correct you want a PCIe / USB card since yours is supposedly not compatible with CNVio.

Intel models ending with "1" use CNVio.

Other notes:

I know that you said that you don't care so much about speed, but I would still strongly suggest getting a WiFi 7 adapter for these reasons:

1) Due to enhancements, even if you don't have a WiFi 7 router, the WiFi 7 adapters can often be more reliable even on older WiFi networks.

2) The price is only something like $5 more than a WiFi 6e adapter.

3) You'll be future proof (at least for a bit longer than a WiFi 6 or 6e adapter).

I've used them all - 6, 6e, 7. WiFi 7 is pure joy. It is as fast, if not slightly better than my 2.5Gbps Ethernet most of the time. If fact, I disabled my 2.5Gbps adapter on my primary desktop PC and am using WiFi 7 instead and it is stone cold reliable for me.

Others will have different opinions on brands, but I have finally settled on Intel as my standard (NOT the "Killer" series of adapters, however). I have about 10 Mini PCs which often ship with Realtek WiFi adapters and that is a never ending source of poor performance and glitches for me. In every system where the WiFi is not soldered down, I replace those with Intel adapters and have never once been disappointed.

A Card based on the Intel AX210 chipset might be suitable.

No guarantee though.

Interface described as: Wi-Fi(PCIe), BT(USB)


There is a lot more to WiFi cards and their drivers in Laptops.
Aerial placements, Card placement, internal shielding and so forth. Any of these factors can cause problems like disconnections or lower speeds.

Beware, some laptops Blacklist certain makes of cards.