Wireless routers.... G or is N worth the price?

[Danronian]

I'm not the best with computer, but I recently realized how I would love to sit downstairs and use my laptop without having to be wired to the connection.

I have a G-rated (don't know if that makes sense) laptop that is only about 6 months old, and relatively slow Jazzd DSL, so i doubt speed will be something that will matter for me. I'm more concerned about range. I have a high place where I could place the router so that it would only have to go through either one wall or one floor to get to anywhere I sit. Would a G or a G MIMO work for me, or should I get the N? It's about a $40 price difference, but I've read that some people are saying the N is no better than the G MIMO.

I have no idea as for the brand. I'm guessing I'll buy a linksys since I know a few people with them that have no problems ore complaints with how they work.

Any input on the range/brand/type would be quite appreciated. THanks!

[garrettej8]

what a lot of people don't understand about wireless networks is that you don't really need something faster than G or 54mbps in most situations. The speed of the wireless network is entirely dependent on the speed of your internet connection. So, whether your wireless network speed is 54mbps you're only using 6mbps (comcast speed for example.)

Basically what it comes down to is bandwidth and 54mbps is ideal for having lots of users on the same network to spread out the bandwidth. It's somewhat overkill for most homes in my opinion.

Now as far a signal strength and frequency interruptions you shouldn't have to worry about that with b, g, or n. Go with whatever is popular I guess.

Oh and I've heard a lot of good things about the range for wireless n. I'd go with that if possible or get some kind of antenna.

[Danronian]

Think I'm going to go with this router:

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/produ...uct_id=2470125

I'm pretty sure this is the exact one my friend has, and it works nice there.

After reading about the range on PC magazine, I saw that it should be good for 60 feet from their test, and that is as far away as I would ever use it.

[Danronian]

THanks for the input.

Yeah, the ratings I've found online, seem to favor this router brand and model more than most, so I guess this should be a good one.

I saw it at walmart for about $49, cheaper than anywhere I saw it online, so I'll probably just get it there tomorrow.

[garrettej8]

good luck, I'd try newegg.com before buying at walmart though. they have some amazing deals sometimes.

[Danronian]

Originally Posted by garrettej8

good luck, I'd try newegg.com before buying at walmart though. they have some amazing deals sometimes.

Thanks.

Just checked.

Dollar less at walmart.

I'll do an ebay search to see if anything cheap comes up on there.

[Danronian]

Same price or higher on ebay. Guess I'll go with walmart afterall.

[lagos]

shop on newegg for computer parts. they are honestly the fastest and best place to buy from.
the N router would be a waste of money for you. you have to have both an N router and an N wifi card/laptop in order to take any advantage of that protocol. if your laptop only supports a G network, then the N router would just downscale to a G.

[05GT]

Originally Posted by garrettej8

what a lot of people don't understand about wireless networks is that you don't really need something faster than G or 54mbps in most situations. The speed of the wireless network is entirely dependent on the speed of your internet connection. So, whether your wireless network speed is 54mbps you're only using 6mbps (comcast speed for example.)

Actually, I'm sorry but you are incorrect. I understand what you are getting at, but it doesn't work just like that, and what you just stated is a huge misconception that a lot of people have.

Based on your comment, if Comcast is supplying you a 6MB connection, and you hook up a G router @ 54mbps, then you will not see any degrade in signal or mbps...since Comcast is only supplying 6 but you are connected at 54.

That is incorrect. Do a bandwidth speed test while connected to the wireless, then do a speed test while connected directly to the modem, and you will notice the numbers a quite different.

For example, in my case, I pay Comcast extra to have a 16MB connection. Connected through a standard wireless router @ 54mpbs, if I do a speed test, I'm seeing anywhere from 4-6MBs. BECAUSE a 54 mbps router can get about 6.5 MB/s (54/8 (8 bits to 1 byte) but it IS wireless... so the further you are away the lower the speed you'll get... hence the 4-6 I mentioned. Mb = megabits where as MB= Megabytes. Comcast supplys in MegaBytes, not Megabits.

So if you have anything faster then a 6MB connection, like myself, then yes, an N router would make a huge difference. Since IIRC they can transfer at 300mbps.

Just a little FYI.

[garrettej8]

yeah I guess I meant in a perfect world where signal strength wasn't an issue, and there are some ISP's which are much faster than the comcast example. wireless N will be great once the bandwidth war arises again between the internet service providers in the future.

[05GT]

Huh? Signal strength does matter...even now. Not sure I get that statement.

There isn't a need to wait til the future. Comcast offers a 16MB connection, as I mentioned, and Verizon Fios offers speeds of 15MBs or more as well.

[Danronian]

Thanks for the comments

I won't get the N, seems like a waste for this connection I have. I'm going to go with the G. Hopefully I'll have it up and running pretty fast. I suck with computers, and especially VISTA, which I have, so hopefully it all goes well. I'll try setting it up with my XP PC since that will probably be easier.