802.11n PCMCIA cards and system requirements

Hi,

I've got an old Compaq Armada 1750 and I'd like to get it networked wirelessly. I have a 802.11n DLink router, and so I finally found a good deal on a Linksys PCMCIA 802.11n card. The problem is, the specs show there are fairly stiff system requirements for the card. The reason I think it's stiff is because most other 802.11n PCMCIA cards don't have CPU/RAM requirements, suggesting that they're run on any OS that has drivers for the card.

Here's what I mean:

Linksys by Cisco Dual-Band Wireless-N Notebook Adapter WPC600N

versus

D-Link Xtreme N Notebook Adapter

The DLink one doesn't say anything about CPU/ram requirements, similar to other less popular brands I've seen.

Just to clarify, this is what my laptop has:
300MHz PII CPU
128 MB RAM
Windows 2000

1) Do you think I will be able to install the card and get it running? If so, will it make my laptop run sluggish?
2) Why does Linksys have CPU/RAM requirements and DLink have none, for their supposedly similar technology cards?

Thanks for any advice!

Kevin

the reason that some manufacturers have system requirementrs is not so much for the drivers, but for the software and/or install packages.. Likewise, certain OS's , especially windows products such as 95,2000 and ME are just not born in mind anymore when drivers and supporting software are coded. Therefore, all you can do is try it and see.

I would say just install the basic drivers and disregard the extra software and see where that gets you. And hope you can return if you really HAVE to. Or post it for sale here LOL...

I think most of the responders in this sub forum will say "try and see". And let us know what happens..

Both cards claim compatibility with 2000, so you should be okay. I'd question whether an N card is necessary, as not sure your laptop can handle huge throughput, but it shouldn't harm it any. I still use a "B" adapter for a few pc's, and until such time as my provider ramps up my internet, it's till plenty fast.

thanks for the replies...

the reason for the "N" is distance more than speed...there are a few 8" thick concrete walls that "could be" between the laptop and the router, and it could be around 50' total distance; I tried G with another laptop on the same router and performance was sketchy...so, that's why I'm hoping for "N".

from the positive replies I've got, I think I'll try it...just the drivers, not the whacky extra-add-on software

thanks all!

just thought I'd follow up on this thread, for anyone curious...

the card installs effortlessly and works flawlessly...so far, at least...

I even did the install exactly how Linksys suggested, instead of installing just the drivers...

so, in my limited opinion, CPU/RAM requirements for a wireless N card is overblown.