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    802.11 n

    Discussion in 'Hardware Components and Aftermarket Upgrades' started by rexdorian, Jul 16, 2006.

  1. rexdorian

    rexdorian Newbie

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    Currently the available standard for wifi is 802.11 g. And i am going to buy a laptop for a life of 3 yrs.
    So, if in july 2007 802.11 n is released. Will my 802.11g enabled laptop be able to use the 802.11n network?????
    I know that 802.11 g enabled laptop can work in a 802.11 a & b network.
    Sorry if my doubt is a lame one.
     
    rexdorian, Jul 16, 2006
    #1
  2. ttupa

    ttupa Tech Elitist NBR Reviewer

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    Draft "n" network equipment is already widely available. However, it's unfortunate that manufacturers are not integrating it into their machines quite yet.

    If you don't need that range or speed just go with G. To use an n network you will need a compatible card. Without that, you won't get the speed or range. It will be like using a "b" card on a "g" network.
     
    ttupa, Jul 16, 2006
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  3. Andrew Baxter

    Andrew Baxter -

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    Although, there will be an announcement this week about a manufacturer that will be offering built-in 802.11n wireless cards so stay tuned for that. The 802.11n card will be backwardly compatible, but 802.11g cards will not be able to operate on 802.11n only routers. Most routers you buy in the future will offer 802.11n/g/a/b though so don't worry about this too much.
     
    Andrew Baxter, Jul 17, 2006
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  4. Iter

    Iter Notebook Evangelist

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    802.11n which can support up to 540Mbpsshould be going to standardize next year of the beginning, but now the fastest router only supports up to 270Mbps in the market. It is 4 times higher range than 802.11g and 12 times faster than G.

    Cheers
     
    Iter, Jul 17, 2006
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  5. Thaenatos

    Thaenatos Zero Cool

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    Yeah I think they would have learned to make it backwards compatible after having 802.11a being kinda of a bust. As long as I can still use my wifi then I can deal with the range sacrifice. Worst case scenario buy a pcmcia card or express card if they make one.

    edit: no you cant use a b/g card on an "a" wifi network. The reason is that a runs on 5.xghz and b/g work on 2.4ghz. Your card needs to run at both frequencies in order to work.
     
    Thaenatos, Jul 17, 2006
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  6. compaq64

    compaq64 Notebook Consultant

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    We recently purchased a 802.11 n acess point, there crazy fast, with one computer accesing it. If you get over 1 computer they suck. Do not buy them, this is basically like the beta of vista. (something you wait to buy because its full of bugs and things that need to be fixed.)
     
    compaq64, Jul 18, 2006
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  7. Charles P. Jefferies

    Charles P. Jefferies Lead Moderator Super Moderator

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    I think "Turbo G" 108Mbps is a better investment. The 802.11n out now is draft.

    Or, gasp, go wired and get 1000Mbps via Gigabit Ethernet.
     
    Charles P. Jefferies, Jul 18, 2006
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  8. pdxlou

    pdxlou Notebook Geek

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    LOL that made me laugh... :D
     
    pdxlou, Jul 18, 2006
    #8