Getting a laptop with 802.11 A/G/N Wireless LAN...

A few quick questions:

- It's also equipped with bluetooth, so does this mean all I need is a wireless router?

- And do you recommend buying a "N" router (I read it's not that widespread yet) for it? If so what are your favorite routers? Linksys...netgear...

Thanks.

 

Linksys...

 

Yes, To use the wireless, you will need a wireless access point or a wireless router, You can get a 802.11n router if you want but the standard isnt finalized yet, so current routers are a bit slow and buggy. The fastest one on the market at the moment to my knowledge is Dlink.

http://reviews.cnet.com/routers/d-link-dir-655/4505-3319_7-32145084.html?tag=pdtl-list

That link shows the maximum throughput on the new routers.

 

yes, the final draft "N" won't be out until 2009

but there are some cheap alternatives- you can always pick up a refubished Netgear Router WNR834B or M for under $45, plus approx $10 for shipping on eBay- I know that sounds nuts, but the Netgear Routers are refurbished at the factory to like new condition, 30 day warranty. No, I don't work for eBay or Netgear

The D-Link and Linksys are also available

You should get around 270mbps, depending on what card you get in your laptop- so be sure and read the threads on Intel and Atheros chips

 

Can I just get a regular A/G router? This was the only option on my laptop.

 

sure, that works

but the n routers are also backwards compatible w/ b/g

 

All right, one more question, I promise. I ordered my laptop so that's exciting.

I'm planning to order this as well. Thoughts?

And again to clarify - my laptop is already set to work with the router right? So what about this old computer I'm typing on. I want to transfer a load of files from this PC to the laptop. I'm using a broadband modem...so all I have to do is set the 2 computers, router and modem together and go from there correct?

 

I would look at product reviews before I purchase the product.

 

Get the D-Link 655 Extreme that matt h1 gave you the link for. I'm using the same router and love it; zero problems and great signal strenght. If you go with Linksys the only decent one is their gaming N router.

 

I just ordered the Trendnet TEW-631 at amazon. It's a Draft N for the price of a G router. I'm waiting for delivery but the reviews seem ok on it.

http://www.amazon.com/TRENDnet-300Mbps-Wireless-N-draft-Router/dp/B000IZC2B2/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1196250098&sr=8-1

info:

http://www.trendware.com/products/TEW-631BRP.htm

 

I had the Dlink 655 for about 3 weeks, I thought its USB port was for expandability but it turns out it was just for configuring settings between computers, I ended up buying the Wl-500w from asus, I get about 9MB/s over wireless sustained transfer which is pretty decent, unfortunately alot of the features are broken, the USB printer works brilliantly, but the USB hard drive is very tricky to set up, I had to use a linux live CD to format the USB drive into ext-3 which seems a bit advanced for something marked on the box as "Plug and Play USB support" Also you can only use 802.11n with WPA2-AES, If you use Tkip it falls back to 802.11g for some reason.