N Router versus G Router

[MULTIZ321]

Our new computer has an N wireless card.

We've decided to switch to cable (have DSL now) and have an appointment for the cable installer to make the switch on Saturday May 9th.

We have an option of using an N wireless router or a G wireless router.

If we choose the N wireless router - in practical terms, how much faster will the download speeds be compared to the G router? Is it worth the extra money for the price of the N router over the G router?

Thanks for any input.


Richard

 

[Arb]

N

Our results were amazing. We were so happy to upgrade.

 

[Nancy]

Good N Router

I plan to purchase a new N router. What one's have you purchased and were they easy to set up? Do you recommend the one that you have?

Thanks
Nancy

 

[Icarus]

If you run your wireless N router in compatible mode, so it supports B/G and N, it will be a little faster for N, but not that much. I bought an Airport Express last night, and in compatible mode with one G and one N device, the N device says it's connected at 72Mb/s.

When I get back home, I will use it along with my existing wireless G router, and put it in N only mode, and I'm sure it will be faster that way. Effectively, I will have 2 parallel wireless networks, one for all the existing B/G devices, and the new one just for the N devices.

One of the options in the Airport Utility is to run N-only at either 2.4Ghz or 5Ghz. I assume I will want to run this one at 5Ghz, if my N device supports that, so there's no interference with my existing wireless network. If I can't do that, I can select different channels for the 2 networks.

Nancy: The Airport Express is very easy to use. That's what Apple does well. They make tech that is relatively easy to use. They also make a non-portable one, called Airport Extreme. I haven't tried it.

-David

 

[1950bing]

I like using the Makita router. Been using it for years, all cuts are very smooth.

 

[Elan]

If one's using the router for internet only, isn't it likely that the download speed will be limited by the ISP's data rate, and not the router's? I mean 802.11g wireless is capable of 54MBPS, which even with overhead is probably greater than 20MBPS actual. So if one has 802.11g setup, with say, a 10MBPS internet connection, aren't they more than covered for internet downloads? Of course it's a different story if you're streaming video files over your home network, etc. Someone please clarify.

BTW, 1950bing I love my Bosch.......

 

[timeos2]

Go N

Go N. It's faster (but as pointed out above G is already faster than your provider is) and more importantly has a better range.

I prefer Belkin for easy setup &, on the better models, Lifetime Warranty. Routers are rather fragile so the warranty is likely to pay off over time. Most others have 1-3 years tops.

 

[JeffW]

While the max rate for g might be 54Mb/s, you need to factor in the losses due to encryption, distance from the router, and possibly contention from another router on the same channel. By the time you're at your working distance from your router, you could very well be below the rate your ISP provides to you.

Speaking of that, I wouldn't assume a simple 10Mb/s rate. FIOS offers a 15Mb/s service, and Comcast has I think 12Mb/s and 16Mb/s, both of which I think can run 'Powerboost', which is an initial spike in the transfer rates.

Also as mentioned, if you're transferring files between other wired computers on your network, you can be looking at 100Mb/s bandwidth.

 

[dioxide45]

If you plan on doing file and folder sharing go with N. While others point out that the G is faster than your speeds from the ISP for the internet, it will limit your speeds over your home network from PC to PC.

 

[MULTIZ321]

Thanks for all the responses.

We've decided to go with N.


Richard

 

[Elan]

While the max rate for g might be 54Mb/s, you need to factor in the losses due to encryption, distance from the router, and possibly contention from another router on the same channel. By the time you're at your working distance from your router, you could very well be below the rate your ISP provides to you.

Speaking of that, I wouldn't assume a simple 10Mb/s rate. FIOS offers a 15Mb/s service, and Comcast has I think 12Mb/s and 16Mb/s, both of which I think can run 'Powerboost', which is an initial spike in the transfer rates.

Also as mentioned, if you're transferring files between other wired computers on your network, you can be looking at 100Mb/s bandwidth.

Thanks for confirming my thoughts.

Jim

 

[Arb]

Netgear

We replaced our very old Linksys with a Netgear N wireless router and we are SO happy with it.
We use it for everything! Internet, printing, etc.

 

[Arb]

Netgear® (NR834B-100N) RangeMax™ Next Wireless-N Router

I decided to look up exactly what model we bought.
It's Netgear® (NR834B-100N) RangeMax™ Next Wireless-N Router

Here is a website that compares various Netgear models:

http://www.netgear.com/Products/RoutersandGateways/RangeMaxWirelessNRoutersandGateways/WNR834B.aspx

Below (in quotes) is what the description said from the site where I bought it. I have a new Dell laptop and my DH has a 1-yr-old Sony laptop. We also have a little Averatec in the house and a Sony desktop. We recentlty got a new HP Officejet Pro 8500 Premier printer that operates off our wireless network beautifully. We're all networked together and are much happier than we were with the old, old wireless router we'd been using.

"Extend your wireless network coverage up to 10 times that of standard 802.11g and up to 15 times the speed. Easily surf, email, stream HD video, game up on-line or make Internet phone calls—simultaneously. Three preset internal antennas deliver maximum performance and range. Maximum performance requires use of RangeMax Next Wireless-N adapters."

I don't own stock in Netgear. I just like my new router.