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some laptops the BIOS will allow only a particular WLAN card to be usedYeah, that's what I was referring to. The FUD of "unapproved changes" invalidating the FCC's approval for the antenna system leads the manufactures to create those restrictions. Since the end user making a modification well after the sale has nothing to do with the manufacturer, I call it FUD. (Of course the user isn't selling their modified device over state lines either, but I disgress).
My experience is primarily limited to Thinkpads and a few crappy consumer models that I've inherited. But I figure the better designed laptops that can make it to "old" and not overheat with continuous usage are more likely to have those restriction lists.