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    Wireless N vs G...worth the difference?

    Discussion in 'Networking and Wireless' started by str8flexed, Mar 2, 2009.

  1. str8flexed

    str8flexed Notebook Enthusiast

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    Sorry, I am not tech savvy and is wondering if the wireless G is worth say $25 more. Would I see the difference on say campus, Starbucks, wireless?
     
    str8flexed, Mar 2, 2009
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  2. afhstingray

    afhstingray Notebook Prophet

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    you wont see any difference. this is because the internet connection cant max out the G connection anyway.

    you'll only notice a difference if you are transferring files to another computer via an intranet that also supports wireless N.

    i think you got a bit mixed up, its the N thats faster, and therefore more expensive, not the G.

    most places dont even use N yet. so i doubt your campus or starbucks will have an N router

    basically what im trying to say is, the bottleneck is the internet connection, not the wireless.
     
    afhstingray, Mar 2, 2009
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  3. MidnightSun

    MidnightSun Emodicon

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    There are two benefits of wireless-N (which is the newer faster standard): 1) streaming video or transfering other files from one computer to another in your home network is a lot faster, provided that both are N-capable, and 2) your wireless has a longer range.

    As of right now, I do not think wireless N is worth it, unless every one of your computers is compatible with it, since dual-band routers (broadcasting in G and N) are very expensive, and single-band routers require you to buy costly wireless N adapters for computers without built-in N support.
     
    MidnightSun, Mar 2, 2009
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  4. aidil

    aidil Notebook Evangelist

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    There is still an option of changing the current wireless adapter inside your notebook with a (draft) N one for no more than 20 to 25 bucks. You can find these mini PCI express wireless N cards easily on ebay.
     
    aidil, Mar 3, 2009
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  5. sublime313

    sublime313 Notebook Evangelist

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    i say it get it just in case, for future purposes. it's a cheap upgrade anyhow
     
    sublime313, Mar 3, 2009
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  6. AlanP

    AlanP Notebook Evangelist

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    There can be a third benefit to N, some of the Modems use the 5 ghz band instead of the 2.4 ghz used by G and by some N equipment. Read the equipment literature carefully before you buy. This means that your wirelss phones and the microwave oven won't cut off your Laptop connection...
     
    AlanP, Mar 5, 2009
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  7. Clutch

    Clutch cute and cuddly boys

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    N is good for local sharing
     
    Clutch, Mar 5, 2009
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  8. nizzy1115

    nizzy1115 Notebook Prophet

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    If you are only using it for the internet then the answer is no there will be no difference. If you are advanced and have file sharing setup at your home between your different machines and they all have wireless N then yes you could notice it on large file transfers.
     
    nizzy1115, Mar 5, 2009
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  9. aidil

    aidil Notebook Evangelist

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    Actually... Even if it's only for the internet, wireless (draft) N still can make different. Cause it depends on your internet subscription speed, i.e. here in Japan 100Mbps VDSL or FTTH is common. So, hooking a wireless G access point/router will limit its full potential.
     
    aidil, Mar 5, 2009
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  10. AlanP

    AlanP Notebook Evangelist

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    Another caution though, if you need a range extender, then G is the mode you want. G Range Extending is fairly common and simple to implement. There is limited support for 2.4 ghz N as far as Range Extenders available, and 5 ghz N Range Extenders are MIA.
     
    AlanP, Mar 6, 2009
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