Should i choose wireless "n" or "abg" and can't I have both?!

hi all,

Apologies if this is a rather basic question but i'm confused. Am trying to choose options for the Vostro 1400 i'm planning to get built at Dell but the wireless options appear to be an either/or? The two options are:


Intel® Pro Wireless 3945 802.11a/b/g Mini-Card - Europe [subtract £30.00]

Intel® Next-Gen Wireless-N Mini-Card - Europe [Included in Price]

If i select one it de-selects the other. The main website adress is here (wireless options are under the third tab):

http://configure.euro.dell.com/dell...en&m_30=115528&oc=N0114005&rbc=N0114005&s=bsd

SO what does this mean - that I can only have a/b/g OR n standard? Or will the n standard one also include a/b/g? And if not which would you advise me to get? My basic understanding is that n is much faster but not rolled out everywhere yet whereas b/g is the common current standard both at home and in starbucks/trainstation hotspots etc??? help!

 

The wireless-n card offers support for a/b/g as well, so there's no worry if you upgrade to that card.

 

Intel® Next-Gen Wireless-N Mini-Card is actually Intel® Wireless WiFi Link 4965AGN With this card you can connect to any wireless standard i.e., 802.11a/b/g/Draft N. When the final n version is released, the card can be upgraded to the same easily via software update.

 

The N is backwards compatible so you get everything (b/g).
I wouldn't even think of getting anything less with a new system. Your other hardware (wireless router, other computers) will need to be also N compatible if you want to see the speed boost.

 

i was just in circuit city, best buy and staples...all had nicely priced wireless n routers for homes. i'm talkin under $120, so i bet theyre even cheaper online.

 

N is backwards compatable to A/B/G. N gives you 300Mlbs. while G only gives 54Mlbs. (Super G gives 108Mlbs.) -B gives 11Mlbs. and so on. But to get N speeds, you also need an N wireless router too. Although N isnt popular in public places, you can get an N set up at home for around $100. The speed difference is very noticable and worth it. I have N now, i switched from G>Super G> now N - and none of the previous versions are near N speed.

 

I agree in the obvious thing as getting the 4965.
But the only thing it will be good for is game play on lan, as the internet wont give you those speeds that it can do.
And if you play lan, then you're probarly using a cable instead.
Convince me?

 

Go ahead and get the 11n. Then you will be compatiabe with the latest stuff being released. Unless you have a 11a router. This uses the 5ghz bandwidth which has less interferience from wireless devices like cordless phones. Th e Intel card is a dual band, which means if you get a dual band router 11g and 11n users do not share the same bandwidth. In turn will be faster for both when ever they get the firmware worked out.

 

ummm.. is it possible to upgrade from abg to n on my notebook??

 

I have yet to see any "N" router or card thats worth it. Its still in draft stages and most of the time it doesn't perform anywhere even close to what its supposed to.

There is no real reason to upgrade at all unless you find a good card for the same or nearly same price as a standard G card.

 

Well you can stream HD video wirelessly with any N draft combo in the market which you can't do with any g combos.
Draft does not mean much at this stage as most N hardware has the option for a firmware upgrade (which obviously the G cards/routers don't).
In conclusion I cannot see the point paying twice for the same thing (getting a G setup now and paying again for a N setup after a while).

 

Still its draft, it may be a hardware upgrade down the road thats required. There are plenty of ways to stream video without N grade equipment.

 

You can always stream video with 11a/g hardware. provides you don't have to may users. It just requires good hardware setup properly. If only a couple of pc's require video only, put then on there own AP. That way it will not be impacted by other traffic. Best if using 11a for one, 11g the other. Can be done with 11g only just need to make sure the channel used are 1 and 11.