upgrading to 108Mbps or staying with 54Mbps?

[cfman]

Hi all,

I am facing two shopping choices: my laptop has a 54Mbps wireless card.

If I buy a 54Mbps wireless router, such as a Linksys one, it is about $50.

If I want a 108Mbps wireless router, it will be about $70. But I have to
further purchase a 108Mbps adapter wireless card, which is again $50-$100.

Overall, the investment on 108Mbps may be more than double of that of the
54MPbs.

Which option shall I choose?

Thanks a lot!

 

[Steve Winograd [MVP]]

Hi all,

I am facing two shopping choices: my laptop has a 54Mbps wireless card.

If I buy a 54Mbps wireless router, such as a Linksys one, it is about $50.

If I want a 108Mbps wireless router, it will be about $70. But I have to
further purchase a 108Mbps adapter wireless card, which is again $50-$100.

Overall, the investment on 108Mbps may be more than double of that of the
54MPbs.

Which option shall I choose?

Thanks a lot!

I'd go with the less expensive "54Mbps" gear for a typical home
network that shares a broadband Internet connection, because:

1. The fastest cable modem or DSL modem speeds now available are less
than 10Mbps. The "108Mbps" gear has no advantage for Internet access.

2. Only the "54Mbps" gear conforms to an IEEE wireless networking
standard. The "108Mbps" speeds are non-standard and are only
available if you get all of the equipment from the same manufacturer.

3. The non-standard "108Mbps" gear is more likely to get interference
from your neighbors' networks and to interfere with your neighbors'
networks.

4. The pending 802.11n standard will offer much higher speeds than
anything now available, so it doesn't make sense to me to buy
high-priced non-standard gear now.

I put quotation marks around the speed ratings because actual
equipment doesn't run at anything close to the rated speeds.

Here are some reasons that you might consider getting "108Mbps" gear:

1. You frequently transfer large files over the wireless network and
need the highest speed possible.

2. It might give the wireless network more range, which would help in
a very large house.
--
Best Wishes,
Steve Winograd, MS-MVP (Windows Networking)

Please post any reply as a follow-up message in the news group
for everyone to see. I'm sorry, but I don't answer questions
addressed directly to me in E-mail or news groups.

Microsoft Most Valuable Professional Program
http://mvp.support.microsoft.com

 

[cfman]

I'd go with the less expensive "54Mbps" gear for a typical home
network that shares a broadband Internet connection, because:

1. The fastest cable modem or DSL modem speeds now available are less
than 10Mbps. The "108Mbps" gear has no advantage for Internet access.

2. Only the "54Mbps" gear conforms to an IEEE wireless networking
standard. The "108Mbps" speeds are non-standard and are only
available if you get all of the equipment from the same manufacturer.

3. The non-standard "108Mbps" gear is more likely to get interference
from your neighbors' networks and to interfere with your neighbors'
networks.

4. The pending 802.11n standard will offer much higher speeds than
anything now available, so it doesn't make sense to me to buy
high-priced non-standard gear now.

I put quotation marks around the speed ratings because actual
equipment doesn't run at anything close to the rated speeds.

Here are some reasons that you might consider getting "108Mbps" gear:

1. You frequently transfer large files over the wireless network and
need the highest speed possible.

2. It might give the wireless network more range, which would help in
a very large house.
--
Best Wishes,
Steve Winograd, MS-MVP (Windows Networking)

Please post any reply as a follow-up message in the news group
for everyone to see. I'm sorry, but I don't answer questions
addressed directly to me in E-mail or news groups.

Microsoft Most Valuable Professional Program
http://mvp.support.microsoft.com

Steve,

Very good and very helpful! Thanks a lot!

I am using it in our office, which has a 100Mbps LAN, so I thought a 108Mbps
might be good for me. But as you said, the network card and the wireless
router has to match each other in terms of brand and manufacturers, and
nowadays in coffeeshop and other places they don't have a lot 108Mbps. So I
might be better off staying with 54Mbps...

Thanks again for your help!

 

[Steve Winograd [MVP]]

Steve,

Very good and very helpful! Thanks a lot!

I am using it in our office, which has a 100Mbps LAN, so I thought a 108Mbps
might be good for me. But as you said, the network card and the wireless
router has to match each other in terms of brand and manufacturers, and
nowadays in coffeeshop and other places they don't have a lot 108Mbps. So I
might be better off staying with 54Mbps...

Thanks again for your help!

You're welcome!
--
Best Wishes,
Steve Winograd, MS-MVP (Windows Networking)

Please post any reply as a follow-up message in the news group
for everyone to see. I'm sorry, but I don't answer questions
addressed directly to me in E-mail or news groups.

Microsoft Most Valuable Professional Program
http://mvp.support.microsoft.com