SpeedBooster...?

I recently bought a Compaq Presario notebook, and now am want to set up a wireless network in my home. The computer came with the integrated "54g 802.11b/g WLAN w/ 125HSM/SpeedBooster" networking option.

I was told that because it is has 'SpeedBooster' built-in I can only use a Linksys brand router with SpeedBooster... is this true? I personally think the Netgear WGT624 router looks a lot cooler and is less expensive, but I want the system to work. Any info is appreciated.

 

Yes, you need the WRT54GS router in order to see the speeds. Otherwise if you dont, then you wont see those speeds. Check my wireless guide and it compares these two routers. Hope this helps!

Nick

 

You will still see normal 54g speeds on the WGT624 - I know, because I do with mine at home. You just won't be able to use "SpeedBooster" speeds.

And that doesn't really matter, because your broadband connection doesn't even come close to 54g (or even .11b...) right?

 

True, the only thing speedbooster does is increase download times by 30%. If you just want a router to have wireless internet and you wont be downloading much, get what you want then.

Nick

 

Yeah, definitely. Thanks for clearing that up, Nick. If you're going to be swapping files from computer to computer (or having wireless LAN parties) then having everything SpeedBooster-ed would be worthwhile. If you're just surfing the 'net and downloading things from there, though, the bottleneck is your cable modem/DSL modem. Since I don't do things between my computers on the network and I'm just using it to get 'net access all over the house, SpeedBooster or Super-G do nothing for me.

The 30% increase works only for things going over your network, it won't speed up your cable modem...

 

So I can get the Netgear to simply go online. Thanks guys!

 

Sure you can. If you want the top speeds capable, then you might want the linksys. But with the Netgear, you will just get the average speeds without the 30% increase.