Wireless and Broadband

Benny24

Hi All

I have looked through the wireless pages and some questions I have I can't seem to answer....

Have PC on blueyonder cable broadband, am going to buy the Dell Laptop with the integrated wireless stuff.

I want to go wireless with the laptop, I know I have to get a router was thinking Netgear 54mbps WGR614..But some Questions...

1. Is is better to go wireless on the PC aswell as the laptop? are there any pros and cons? Or Should I leave it hardwired?

2. is 54mbps going to be enough for a two bed terrace, All I will be doing is surfing web, emailing and downloading music. Or should I get the 108mbps?

3. Is netgear one of the better options?!

I'm not too technical so go easy on me!!

Thanks

scheming_gypsy

1 ) easier and less messy to go wireless on them both but with a router you can go wired into that rather than using a modem on another extension in the house.

2 ) i'm doing the same on a 54mbps wireless router, it's all really down to the speed of your net connection.

3 ) I use Belkin but some people don't like them. Whichever you choose somebody will tell you to go for a different one.

albertross_2

1. Hardwired is better, faster, more secure, and cheaper, assuming that the PC is near the phone point. It's always good to have one hardwired PC, that you can tinker with the wireless settings on the router with.

2. 54 Mbps is fine, as it will be faster than your net connection by far.

3. Yes

Benny24

Thanks alot guys.

albertross_2

Don't forget to setup security when you get it

These instructions are for the ADSL model, but the interface is probably the same .. The last bit about the firmware upgrade version will be different, make sure you download the version for your model.

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showpost.html?p=1460703&postcount=2

John_LG

I actual have the Netgear router you mention, and we are very pleased with it. We are using ntl. One of the best parts about that router was the excellent start up/ install guide CD. If you aren't brilliantly technical, I'd recommend it. It's an animated guide, and shows step by step which cable to connect in which order etc!
We also installed a wireless card into our PC, but Albertross is right, tweaking settings or diagnosing problems with your internet will be easier if you are wired - although I've not had any probs so far. (Nothing that a good ol' turn-everything-off-and-wait-10mins, couldn't solve)!
Either way, set up your internetaccount/settings by hard wiring first. Make sure everything's working, then go wireless once everything is working properly. The guide will help.

OK_Sauce

Second all of the above. I have NTL, the Dell Inspiron from the recent deal, the Netgear router mentioned. Had slight problems setting it up, wireless worked fine from the outset, but couldn't get on the internet. A quick 10 min call to Netgear tech support (tho' expensive via 0870 - couldn't find the Geographical no.) and got everything working just fine. Security VERY easy to set up on the Netgear too.

lee634

albertross wrote:

1. Hardwired is better, faster, more secure, and cheaper, assuming that the PC is near the phone point. It's always good to have one hardwired PC, that you can tinker with the wireless settings on the router with.

2. 54 Mbps is fine, as it will be faster than your net connection by far

Hardwired is no faster than wireless as the router speed is 54Mbs this will be the same wired or wireless, this is the speed of you LAN so if you are transferring a lot of files between PC and laptop the 108Mbs is better but 54 will be fine

albertross_2

Pedantic! Hardwired 100Mb/s is faster than 54Mb/s wireless. Fact. The wireless max. speed is 54, the hardwired is 10/100..

The statement didn't say that is would make the OP's downloads any faster, point number 2 pointed that out..

Are you bored?

lee634

Albertross

yes you are correct 100Mb/s is Faster than 54Mb/s but the original question was should i get a 54Mb/s or 108Mb/s wireless router, if he gets a 54Mb/s router this is the max speed, wired or wireless so the 100Mb/s ethernet card would still only work at a max of 54Mb/s if that's what he bought, the question was whether or not to buy a 54 or 108 Mb/s router is dependant on whether or not a lot of file transfer was going to take place between laptop and PC as you pointed out we do not have broadband at 54 or 108Mb/s,

I was merely point out the FACT that your point 1 was technically incorrect if he were to buy a 54 Mb/s router the wired would not be any faster

albertross_2

54Mb/s is the max wireless speed, not the max wired speed, have a look on the Netgear website if you don't believe me.