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    Should I get Wireless N capability?

    Discussion in 'Networking and Wireless' started by Orius, Jun 22, 2008.

  1. Orius

    Orius Notebook Geek

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    Currently have an Asus Z96J with an Intel 3945ABG wifi card and will be getting a new wireless router, as my old one is starting to die.
    Debating between two different Linksys models:

    WRT54GL (A/B/G) - Great reviews, no wireless N
    WRT150N - (B/G/N) - good revies wireless N, might be more future proof

    Should I stick with the very solid WRT54GL or go ahead with the newer technology and get the WRT150N. The price difference is only ~$15, so that is not really an issue.

    My second debate is whether or not to upgrade my laptop wifi card from the 3945ABG to the newer and wirelss N capable 4965AGN. I am completely happy with the 3945 card right now, but want to "future proof" my laptop as much as possible before I start pharmacy school in the fall. The university I will be attending has already begun adopting wirelss N standards and recommend having a computer with wireless N capability.

    Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
     
    Orius, Jun 22, 2008
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  2. notyou

    notyou Notebook Deity

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    The only difference between N and G is that N can be broadcast farther and is faster. However, remember that the speed of your connection will likely be more of a factor than the speed of the router. For example, a standard G router transfers at 54Mbps (6.75MB/sec) so only incredibly fast connections can overload a G router. The only other way I think an N router would be better is if you do large file transfers in your home network. For example, I have a standard G router at home and 4 computers sharing the router (3 wireless, 1 wired) and we can't over load this thing.

    EDIT: forgot to mention, try out your laptop at school and see if you can get away with G, I'd bet you can since your university wouldn't like it if you spent all your time downloading stuff.

    My opinion, not worth it. In fact, at my university using a G connection, I can't even hit 1MB/sec.
     
    notyou, Jun 22, 2008
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  3. bigozone

    bigozone JellyRoll touring now

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    spend the $15 bucks,,, and get the newer better router....

    you can upgrade the laptop WiFi when needed then...
     
    bigozone, Jun 22, 2008
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  4. Crimson Roses

    Crimson Roses Notebook Evangelist

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    Future proofing is always good. For only $15 I would go for the N router. Especially if you want to game at all.
     
    Crimson Roses, Jun 22, 2008
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  5. nobscot6

    nobscot6 Wise One

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    get the N router

    new technology and can be upgraded via firmware.....
     
    nobscot6, Jun 22, 2008
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  6. Orius

    Orius Notebook Geek

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    Thanks for the advice guys, going to order the WRT150N tomorrow. Also, my apologies for putting my thread in the wrong forum (wasn't thinking).
     
    Orius, Jun 22, 2008
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