Is wireless N worth it?

I have a Linksys Wireless G now, I currently got a new laptop with Intel wireless N.
I'm wondering if it's worth the switch to a broadband - N router, will I see the diffference?
Anyone have any experience with or advice for I'd appreciate it. Thanks!

 

You will see a slight difference becasue of the increase bandwith of wireless N. But then again this all depends how fast your broadband is.

I would say stick with G

 

Do you do alot of file sharing with other computers on your network?
If all you do is internet based then think about this: Wireless "G" supports 56MB/Sec and your internet is ? Unless you have a 56MB/sec or higher its not going to make that much of a difference.
Another thing to think about, most web pages are less than 500k, and even if you have a 500k/sec connection then it will take 1 whole sec to see the web page. How fast can you read?
GL

 

In theory g is 54Mbps, and wireless n 108Mbps,so what ever your surfing at now you can expect it to double as well as the range that you can connect. Wireless n is an improvement over g but the IEEE hasn't ratified as of yet so the device you have now might not be compatible with the final draft.It does depend on your connection speed,but as long as it not Dial-up you should be fine.

 

Does anyone notice a significant improvement in range? I'm living on a college dorm and my G router doesn't penetrate the floors very well.

 

Dont actaully expect your internet surfing speed to double, unless you have a 108Mbps internet connection. Most internet connections are less than 10Mbps. <--- no matter how fast your router is, you will not increase your internet speed. Just network speed.

 

You must remember that 802.11n uses MIMO(multiple input,multiple output).There for increasing the the speed.Also we're talking Mega bits not Megabytes. Mb,MB

 

8 bits = 1 byte.
54 Mbps = 6.75 megabytes p/s
to double that would be 12 megabytes per sec.
If you get 12 MEGAbytes per sec, can I be your friend?
wait... how many servers can upload that kind of bandwidth to just 1 user.
Your network speed will double and it you had a 12 MEGAbyte per sec internet connection it would also double.

what was I thinking, 6.75 * 2 == 13.5 difference is 1.5 MEGAbyte per/sec. Still who has a 13.5 megabyte p/s internet connection?

Verison FioS, I think offers a 40 MEGAbit connection using fiber optic. Not sure of price or availiblity

 

Oh my dear boy, I don't think you've ever really seen how fast a great server can spit out data.

Regardless, G has more than enough bandwidth for your internet connection. Only get N if you really NEED slightly longer range and transfer lots of files between computers over your network. Don't get N if you just want to use internet and it is already working fine.

 

Sykotic,that's just what I'm talking about network speed,not internet speed,I could've worded it different.So we're on the same page.

 

Thats a false belief of soooo many. they believe they will get faster internet when the internet is actually slower than the cabilities of the wifi card. I got mine for upgradeability (and because it was free sorry) realizing that I wont get better than the 54Mbps Im getting now...

I understand the speed would be effective of two systems connected in a network but, weve been down that road now havent we guys???

 

And those little flame stickers, they dont make your internet go any faster either.

 

There is one reason I could think of to switch to using Wireless N on a home network. I may be wrong on this but I believe Wireless G runs on a 2.4 GHz frequency only whereas N can run on the 5.0 GHz if you have a lot of crowding on the 2.4 GHz frequency from other devices. Of course, Wireless A runs on the 5.0 as well so that is an option if your current router supports it and you are trying to avoid some interference you may be experiencing. If your current Wireless G is working for you I am guessing interference is not an issue in your case, but something others reading this thread may need to consider.

Also, I believe that the 54 Mbps quoted for A and G is the maximum speed, not the typical speed experienced for a user. You will have to take a look at your network currently and see if your wireless connection is a bottleneck for the configuration in your house. I doubt we are all running at the maximum connection speed. You may be running substantially lower than this maximum for your activities and could possibly benefit from an N router.

Another reason I could see someone upgrading is if their router does not support more modern security means such as WPA2. Maybe it is just me, but I do not feel very secure with WEP. In your case that shouldn't be a problem however as I am also using a Linksys Wireless G router and upgraded my firmware to get the better methods of securing my wireless network.

Until the standard is fully determined however this equiptment may not even match the standard.