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    IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n?

    Discussion in 'Networking and Wireless' started by BondEternal, Oct 27, 2008.

  1. BondEternal

    BondEternal Notebook Consultant

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    I was reading some leaflets on laptops since I'm choosing one, and I keep noticing that there are a bunch of letters after the numbers 802.11.

    So far the letters that I have come across are a, b, g and n. My questions are, what is/are the difference(s) between them, and which one would be the best, in your opinion?
     
  2. Exodemia

    Exodemia Notebook Evangelist

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    They are different standards which determine the speed of a wireless connection. The best one is 'n' and that's fact. It has a theoretical maximum speed of 600Mbps, although products only go up to 300Mbps at the minute as the standard has yet to be finalised and is still in draft stages. The next best is 'g' which is 54Mbps then 'b' which is 11Mbps. 'a' doesn't really matter, it's 'b', 'g' and 'n' which are important to normal users.
     
  3. PhoenixFx

    PhoenixFx Notebook Virtuoso

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  4. Takk

    Takk Notebook Enthusiast

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    The speed is great but that's for between computer systems doing the wireless and to the access point.. Keep in mind though you might do
    300mbs or even 54mbps to your wireless gateway (linksys, dlink) device you still have to goto through your internet connection which will be anywhere from 56k to a 10mb connection based upon your internet connection speeds.

    just saying, don't expect 54mb to 300mb internet connection speeds because you are doing wireless.

    but i'd get 802.11n anyways :)