Which wireless? Thicko needs your help!!

jase_uk_2

Hi
I've been looking at purchasing a wireless system for my NTL broadband, i have looked at many over the past few weeks and am looking at spending up to £50.
I noticed that they create different link speeds, for example i saw one at 54Mbs and others that run at 100+Mbs, What i need to know is does this affect download speeds as im not quite sure what it all means!!

Out of the ones i saw, these look like the best options, i would be gratefull on your thoughts.

http://www.pcworld.co.uk/martprd/product/seo/424384


http://www.ntlshop.ntlworld.com/webstore/CNETrelated/ExtendedInformation.aspx?ExtendedCode=NTL979&ExtendedProdCode=Q570797&CatCode=SELF520302

I have also been told Linksys are ok.

Many thanks
jason

Chippy_Minton

Your download speed is determined by the speed of your broadband connection. The speed of the wireless router doesn't really affect it, unless you have a very poor wireless connection which would mean the wireless network speed is lower than the broadband speed and therefore not transferring data as fast as it could.

The 802.11g wireless network standard has a maximum transfer rate of 54 Mbps. This can doubled to 108 Mbps maximum by using a compatible wireless router and wireless adapter combination, usually from the same manufacturer. These speeds are both way faster than your broadband speed which may be up to 8 Mbps, so the broadband connection is the bottleneck in the system. You would only notice the difference in the two wireless speeds if you copy large files between computers on the network.

BillScarab

What speed is your NTL broadband? I doubt if it is above 8 Mbs so 54Mbs is fine unless you are planning to transfer lots of files between PCs on the network. If you just want to be able to use the net on two PCs get a 54Mbs one.

Personally I like Netgear and use a WRG614 with Telewest cable.

Ensure you get one designed for cable and not for ADSL.

Ebuyer have a good selection here.

http://www.ebuyer.com/customer/search/index.html?rb=24664199748&strSearch=&intStoreID=8&intCatID=39&intSubcatUID=1160&bolShowAll=true

jase_uk_2

BillScarab wrote:

What speed is your NTL broadband? I doubt if it is above 8 Mbs so 54Mbs is fine unless you are planning to transfer lots of files between PCs on the network. If you just want to be able to use the net on two PCs get a 54Mbs one.

Personally I like Netgear and use a WRG614 with Telewest cable.

Ensure you get one designed for cable and not for ADSL.

I only have 2Mb connection but its fast enough for me, thanks for your help ill have a look at netgear.

theboylard

Quick one - do you really need wireless?
What are you planning to do? If you want to sit in the garden then fine, but are you likely to be near a power supply?
I've gone off wireless as it's not a certainty, unlike death and nurses.
If you are near a power point, then use homeplug!!
Just had another 4 arrive for friends.

What is homeplug? Uses household internal wiring to act as carrier for network traffic. No configuration, no messing about with drivers, you just plug one into your router (which start at about £18), then plug another into a plug socket elsewhere in the house where you need a connection, et voila!! Instant network that is scalable (add more homplugs), flexible (move homplug at will to different parts of house), and compared to wireless - secure from the off.

Yes they are more expensive, about £35 for an 85mb homeplug, but for ease of use and functionality, sorry but they beat wireless hands down.

You'll need a minimum of 2, but for getting stuff like your xbox or ps2 online they are a doddle!!!

hapless