Wireless N+
 

Should I upgrade to N plus wireless. I currently have G and I play games on line and stream movies. Rarely do I have a issue but wondering if N plus will make a huge leap for me.

Thanks in advance!

Re: Wireless N+
 

If you're doing a lot of transferring between computers on your network, sure. Otherwise G is still adequate.

Re: Wireless N+
 

I recently switched to N but I honestly haven't noticed a difference.

Re: Wireless N+
 

[quote=Mattyk;648433]I recently switched to N but I honestly haven't noticed a difference.[/quote]
Yeah, most people won't. If you're moving files around a bit you'll notice it as it's definitely faster in that regard; or in a direct line of site you'll get better range. It operates at a higher frequency though which is actually worse for passing through barriers.

Re: Wireless N+
 

[quote=tryfuhl;648435]Yeah, most people won't. If you're moving files around a bit you'll notice it as it's definitely faster in that regard; or in a direct line of site you'll get better range. It operates at a higher frequency though which is actually worse for passing through barriers.[/quote]

802.11n in the US is mostly 2.4GHz, which is what b/g also runs on. There are some products in the market that are using the 5GHz spectrum, which as you said, does not propagate through obstacles as well as 2.4GHz. Also note that 802.11n uses 2 channels (40MHz in total, for those keeping score at home), so if you live in a congested area, you may run into noise problems with neighboring 802.11b/g/n devices.

To answer your question, mredskins, no, N will not be a huge leap for you.

Here's a good [URL="http://www.thewarpath.net/parking-lot/29586-computer-question-regarding-wired-ethernet-vs.html"]thread[/URL] (though [URL="http://www.thewarpath.net/parking-lot/29586-computer-question-regarding-wired-ethernet-vs.html#post553121"]someone[/URL], didn't think I knew my stuff) where N was discussed last year. It should be noted that 802.11N has since been ratified by the IEEE.

Re: Wireless N+
 

[quote=cpayne5;648456]802.11n in the US is mostly 2.4GHz, which is what b/g also runs on. There are some products in the market that are using the 5GHz spectrum, which as you said, does not propagate through obstacles as well as 2.4GHz. Also note that 802.11n uses 2 channels (40MHz in total, for those keeping score at home), so if you live in a congested area, you may run into noise problems with neighboring 802.11b/g/n devices.

To answer your question, mredskins, no, N will not be a huge leap for you.

Here's a good [URL="http://www.thewarpath.net/parking-lot/29586-computer-question-regarding-wired-ethernet-vs.html"]thread[/URL] (though [URL="http://www.thewarpath.net/parking-lot/29586-computer-question-regarding-wired-ethernet-vs.html#post553121"]someone[/URL], didn't think I knew my stuff) where N was discussed last year. It should be noted that 802.11N has since been ratified by [B]the IEEE[/B].[/quote]

Speaking of IEEE, I recently bought a Toshiba Laptop and it does not have an IEEE port, is there a way that I can put an IEEE port on the laptop???

Re: Wireless N+
 

[quote=Redskins8588;648512]Speaking of IEEE, I recently bought a Toshiba Laptop and it does not have an IEEE port, is there a way that I can put an IEEE port on the laptop???[/quote]

I assume you're referring to IEEE 1394 Firewire? If so, then you can probably just pick up a [URL="http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&DEPA=0&Order=BESTMATCH&Description=pcmcia+firewire&x=0&y=0"]PCMCIA[/URL] or [URL="http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&DEPA=0&Order=BESTMATCH&Description=expresscard+firewire&x=0&y=0"]ExpressCard[/URL] Firewire card.

Re: Wireless N+
 

[quote=cpayne5;648535]I assume you're referring to IEEE 1394 Firewire? If so, then you can probably just pick up a [URL="http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&DEPA=0&Order=BESTMATCH&Description=pcmcia+firewire&x=0&y=0"]PCMCIA[/URL] or [URL="http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&DEPA=0&Order=BESTMATCH&Description=expresscard+firewire&x=0&y=0"]ExpressCard[/URL] Firewire card.[/quote]

You are correct sir!!! I have a sony handycam that uses Mini-DV tape cassests, I like the camcorder but until I got my old HP laptop I couldnt do anything with the home movies. But then my HP took a crap so I bought this Toshiba but it did not come with an IEEE firewire card. Thanks for your help...

Re: Wireless N+
 

[quote=Redskins8588;648546]You are correct sir!!! I have a sony handycam that uses Mini-DV tape cassests, I like the camcorder but until I got my old HP laptop I couldnt do anything with the home movies. But then my HP took a crap so I bought this Toshiba but it did not come with an IEEE firewire card. Thanks for your help...[/quote]

Sure! I hope you get it working.

Re: Wireless N+
 

So I guess I am going to up grade my router, any suggestions? I got a free Best Buy $100 gift card at work for staying in shape over 2009 so I guess I will use that on the new router. Any suggestion? I like N and a good range my current one doesn't have the best range.

Re: Wireless N+
 

Here is the one my sister has, as well as the one we use here at work for our wireless network: [url=http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Cisco+Linksys+-+Ultra+RangePlus+Wireless-N+Broadband+Router+with+4-Port+Switch/8639967.p?id=1194054018722&skuId=8639967]Cisco Linksys - Ultra RangePlus Wireless-N Broadband Router with 4-Port Switch - WRT160N[/url]

Re: Wireless N+
 

^^ I've got that one too, works great

Re: Wireless N+
 

[quote=BDBohnzie;671953]Here is the one my sister has, as well as the one we use here at work for our wireless network: [URL="http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Cisco+Linksys+-+Ultra+RangePlus+Wireless-N+Broadband+Router+with+4-Port+Switch/8639967.p?id=1194054018722&skuId=8639967"]Cisco Linksys - Ultra RangePlus Wireless-N Broadband Router with 4-Port Switch - WRT160N[/URL][/quote]

I use this one. Never an issue with it, it's great.

Re: Wireless N+
 

I take your guys word for it but that router has pretty stinky reviews.

What about this one?

[url=http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Cisco+Linksys+-+Wireless-N+Router+with+4-Port+Ethernet+Switch/9301178.p?id=1218080215945&skuId=9301178]Cisco Linksys - Wireless-N Router with 4-Port Ethernet Switch - WRT120N[/url]

Re: Wireless N+
 

So I bought the WRT160N seems really good, much better range. I am getting my full signal on my Xbox when before I was getting two or sometimes three bars. thanks for the tip.

BTW- Unless you have a N wireless card on your Xbox it is running at G no matter what your router is. PS3 has a built in N card.

Re: Wireless N+
 

[quote=mredskins;672449]PS3 has a built in N card.[/quote]

That's why I ultimately chose an N router when I was looking. Cpayne is probably right about N not being a big upgrade from G (after all he's a smart dude), but the extra $ was worth it to me to never have to wonder if my PS3 experience could be better.

Rationalizing the irrational in the name of getting a new toy. It what we guys do.

Re: Wireless N+
 

[quote=Schneed10;672471]That's why I ultimately chose an N router when I was looking. Cpayne is probably right about N not being a big upgrade from G (after all he's a smart dude), but the extra $ was worth it to me to never have to wonder if my PS3 experience could be better.

[B]Rationalizing the irrational in the name of getting a new toy. It what we guys do.[/B][/quote]


So true my PS3 kicks major butt now! LOL! Actually it seems to be performing the same. I may even upgrade my Xbox G card to a N card but why it runs perfect now.

Re: Wireless N+
 

[quote=BDBohnzie;671953]Here is the one my sister has, as well as the one we use here at work for our wireless network: [URL="http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Cisco+Linksys+-+Ultra+RangePlus+Wireless-N+Broadband+Router+with+4-Port+Switch/8639967.p?id=1194054018722&skuId=8639967"]Cisco Linksys - Ultra RangePlus Wireless-N Broadband Router with 4-Port Switch - WRT160N[/URL][/quote]


This router end up being a fail for me. It always dropped the signal it was horrible. Well I am back to my G router in search of something else.

Re: Wireless N+
 

Could be a dud. Sorry you had issues. Sounds like it worked great at first.

Re: Wireless N+
 

It may be an interference issue.

From an earlier post, I said...
"Also note that 802.11n uses 2 channels (40MHz in total, for those keeping score at home), so if you live in a congested area, you may run into noise problems with neighboring 802.11b/g/n devices."

802.11 has 12 channels in the US. Of those 12, only 3 are non-overlapping at 20MHz channel widths (b/g). So, theoretically, if you see 4 SSIDs, there is interference on at least one channel (and with devices coming from the factory set to channel 6, they all may be using the same channel!). N uses 40MHz channel widths, so you do the math on how much noise there may be on the 2.4GHz spectrum if all your neighbors are using N too.

You can change the channel on which your device operates. Do a site survey, ie look at all the SSIDs visible from your device, and note their signal strength and channel number. Set your device to use an empty channel, or a channel with the lowest signal if a device is already operating on that channel.

Re: Wireless N+
 

[quote=BDBohnzie;673911]Could be a dud. Sorry you had issues. Sounds like it worked great at first.[/quote]


Yeah it was. Funny thing is a lot of reviews said the same thing great entail performance then it crapped out.

Re: Wireless N+
 

[quote=cpayne5;673924]It may be an interference issue.

From an earlier post, I said...
"Also note that 802.11n uses 2 channels (40MHz in total, for those keeping score at home), so if you live in a congested area, you may run into noise problems with neighboring 802.11b/g/n devices."

802.11 has 12 channels in the US. Of those 12, only 3 are non-overlapping at 20MHz channel widths (b/g). So, theoretically, if you see 4 SSIDs, there is interference on at least one channel (and with devices coming from the factory set to channel 6, they all may be using the same channel!). N uses 40MHz channel widths, so you do the math on how much noise there may be on the 2.4GHz spectrum if all your neighbors are using N too.

You can change the channel on which your device operates. Do a site survey, ie look at all the SSIDs visible from your device, and note their signal strength and channel number. Set your device to use an empty channel, or a channel with the lowest signal if a device is already operating on that channel.[/quote]


you may be right but is now back in the return pile at Best Buy. I am getting FIOS at the end of summer I will re-visited the issue after the install.

Re: Wireless N+
 

The wireless router market is a crapshoot...pick a router and hope for the best.

Re: Wireless N+
 

[quote=cpayne5;673924]It may be an interference issue.

From an earlier post, I said...
"Also note that 802.11n uses 2 channels (40MHz in total, for those keeping score at home), so if you live in a congested area, you may run into noise problems with neighboring 802.11b/g/n devices."

802.11 has 12 channels in the US. Of those 12, only 3 are non-overlapping at 20MHz channel widths (b/g). So, theoretically, if you see 4 SSIDs, there is interference on at least one channel (and with devices coming from the factory set to channel 6, they all may be using the same channel!). N uses 40MHz channel widths, so you do the math on how much noise there may be on the 2.4GHz spectrum if all your neighbors are using N too.

You can change the channel on which your device operates. Do a site survey, ie look at all the SSIDs visible from your device, and note their signal strength and channel number. Set your device to use an empty channel, or a channel with the lowest signal if a device is already operating on that channel.[/quote]
I had initially wrote about interference, but pulled back as I've gotten a bad router from Linksys before.

I recently switched security on my G router from WEP to WPA in order to get my work Win7 Laptop to connect (Never had any hacking issues with WEP, so I never changed it; and for some reason, Win7 did not like WEP), and it was dropping the signal on all computers, having to reboot my router every 12-18 hours. Changed the channel, and boom, no more issues or reboots.

Re: Wireless N+
 

[quote=saden1;674012]The wireless router market is a crapshoot...pick a router and hope for the best.[/quote]

Pretty much. They're all cheapo knockoffs from their commercial grade stuff.

Re: Wireless N+
 

I changed my channel out of the box for the various reasons above. Still running G and haven't had a problem with the router yet. I stream Netflix to a Roku over it with no problem...through two floors from the corner of a sub-terrain basement. I'm afraid to switch to N since my G has been so rock solid .