Intel makes Wi-Fi 6 AX200 network adapter available for laptops

Intel has released its Wi-Fi 6 AX200 network adapter for laptops. The m2 WiFi module supports the 802.11ax standard and can handle faster speeds than the popular Intel Wireless-AC 9260 module.

Intel makes the Wi-Fi 6 AX200 network adapter in two form factors: m2-2230 and m2-1216. These are 22x30mm and 12x16mm insert cards respectively. Intel sells the network adapters to laptop manufacturers for prices between ten and seventeen dollars. Presumably, the new network adapter will come to many new laptops soon. Currently, many manufacturers use the Intel Wireless-AC 9260 module.

On paper, the Wi-Fi 6 AX200 adapter achieves faster speeds than the Wireless-AC 9260 variant. With 5GHz networks, this is a maximum of 2.4 Gbit/s; that’s 1.73Gbit/s with the older adapter. There is also support for 2.4GHz networks and the adapter has a 2×2 mu-mimo antenna.

As the name implies, the new network adapter supports Wi-Fi 6. That’s the name the Wi-Fi Alliance uses to refer to the 802.11ax standard. 802.11ax routers have been on the market for some time now, but clients that support Wi-Fi 6 are scarce. Until now, there were no network adapters for laptops with 802.11ax support.