wireless n

ok i know this is probably a stupid question but if i get a wireless n card in my laptop.. 1 will wireless n live up to the hype.. 2 will i be able to use a b or g with the card?

 

1-hard to say because all the n-routers and card currently avialable arent the full range of n, so time will tell

2-yup, its compatiable with a/b/g, so it dosent hurt to have an N card, cause then when it does come out all over the place you'd still be better off with a lower range N then a G

 

To add more onto this topic...

1. As kingcrowing has said, its hard to say. As it stands, I do not think any manufacturer that makes a Pre-802.11n product can state for a 100% certainty that they can just flash the bios and make it 100% compatible with the 802.11n standard when it is finalized. But current drafts of N don't seem to be all cracked up to what they say it should be. Plus you have to worry about compatibility with other pre-N products by other manufacturers.

2. N or rather pre-N is compatible with B and G but not A.

Here are two articles you should read about recent testing of pre-802.11n products.

Tom's Hardware Draft 11n: Part1

Tom's Hardware Draft 11n: Part2

 

1. no way to tell, 'a' was a bust. But n may prevail

2. n works on the 2.4ghz (VERY popular) radio frequency band. a works on 5.xghz band so if you havd an a/b/g card youll be fine. But I hear the main deal with n is the added range.