Wireless-G (802.11g) or Wireless-B (802.11b)

Is there really that big a difference in the performance and speed between a G and B router for home use?

 

It depends on what you are doing. If you are just using wireless for internet surfing, then B is fine as it is still faster then the internet will be, but if you are networking computers and transfer files between them frequently, or share resources, G is much better.

 

Radcom sums it up perfectly. G is roughly 5 times faster for transfering files on the network, but it won't make the internet any faster. It has better range as well, which might help if you're on the outside of your router's range.

 

Thanks for the help guys.

Someone gave me a Linksys model BEFSR81 EtherFast Cable/DSL Router with 8-Port Switch but he didn't have any paperwork for it so I was wondering if this will also work at home. Also, do I need any drivers or any additional downloads to get it to work?

 

Arb,

I don't know if you actually looked up the specs for this product (BEFSR81), but this is NOT a wireless router. This is just a standard 8 port router/switch for LAN connectivity, not wireless lan. B or G WiFi will make no difference here. If you want to get wireless along with this device, you need to also get yourself a Wireless Access Point or an actual Wireless Router instead of the BEFSR81. Something like the Linksys WRT54G (for G speeds) or the Linksys BEFW11S4 (for B speeds). Of course you can also go for any other brands as well.

-Vb-

 

Thanks Vb, this whole wireless thing is new to me. I guess I'll be purchasing a new unit this weekend.