If all works as planned, I'm buying a new computer today. I have (hopefully) everything picked out, except the wireless adapter. (If I can't get anything decided, this will be bought later.) I've been looking up products, mainly Linksys, some reviews, etc., but overall, I don't know what the hell I am doing.

 

 

 

Can anyone help me with basic information? Or ofcourse in-depth information if you want.

 

 

 

The computer I am buying is a Dell Inspiron 530 Q8300 with a Intel Core 2 Quad processor. (I hope that all made sense...)

 

 

 

Also, does the wireless adapter I'm going to buy affect internet speed and stability, or are there larger factors out there?

 

 

 

Thanks for any help, and if need be, I'll try to provide any extra information.

 

 

 

 

 

Reading the answers, and then looking at my current router, I have realized its a piece of junk from a brand you have never heard of. (Its a SpeedStream 6150 if that makes sense.)

 

 

 

Is it possible/sensible to change routers? We use Frontier's Wireless Internet, since its the only thing available in my area, supposedly. Also, that can't change since we made a 4 year contract with them, or something like that. #-o

 

 

 

If it is, any recommendations on routers?

If all works as planned, I'm buying a new computer today. I have (hopefully) everything picked out, except the wireless adapter. (If I can't get anything decided, this will be bought later.) I've been looking up products, mainly Linksys, some reviews, etc., but overall, I don't know what the hell I am doing.

 

 

 

Can anyone help me with basic information? Or ofcourse in-depth information if you want.

 

 

 

The computer I am buying is a Dell Inspiron 530 Q8300 with a Intel Core 2 Quad processor. (I hope that all made sense...)

 

 

 

Also, does the wireless adapter I'm going to buy affect internet speed and stability, or are there larger factors out there?

 

 

 

Thanks for any help, and if need be, I'll try to provide any extra information.

 

 

 

In my opinion, Belkin Wireless adapters are the best. The wireless adapter will affect the speed of your connection (G being the lowest speed and range, N1 being the highest Range and best speed). The longer the range, the more stable your connection will be (you wont drop-out of the range easily. However, since you're using a Desktop PC, this doesn't matter as much), but it means more people can access your connection unless you password protect it.

 

 

 

One problem with this is that your Wireless router also needs to be N1 (if you are intending to use an N1 adapter), otherwise it will not reach it's intended speed (for example, if you use a G router with an N1 adapter, it will only have the speed of the G Router, but the range of the N1 adapter).

 

 

 

If Dell will allow you the choice when buying, then select a Wi-Fi adapter during the buying process. It will most likely be an Internal one, which is better, as the connection (between the computer and the Adapter) will be faster and more stable. However, USB adapters are much easier to install and use. If you gave me an idea of your budget, and your preferred type (internal or external), then I might be able to find one good enough

hobgoblinpie, do you at least know what you're talking about?

 

 

 

N has the speed of one of the others and the range of another of the others, in other words, the best of the two worlds, anyway, that's what they told us at college (if what I wrote made sense). G had the speed but not the range (or was it the other way around? I'm going to have to go read that part again in my cisco course to make sure).

 

 

 

If the computer is right beside the wireless router, you don't need more than G. It will cost much less. Although, if you want to keep up with the technology, then wireless N is alright.

 

 

 

Linksys is a very good brand for those routers/switches, they are even made by Cisco (well the company is a sub company of Cisco as far as I got told), and I personnaly like D-Link, which has served me very well for 6 years until recently that I replaced the one I had with a wireless one, and still have no problems.

 

 

 

If your dell has a minimun of quality, the adapter on it will be able to do a/b/g/n. At least that's what my laptop is capable, adding BlueTooth to that. I see a lot of people having problems with Dell computers, so I recommend changing to another brand such as HP or Asus.

hobgoblinpie, do you at least know what you're talking about?

 

 

 

N has the speed of one of the others and the range of another of the others, in other words, the best of the two worlds, anyway, that's what they told us at college (if what I wrote made sense). G had the speed but not the range (or was it the other way around? I'm going to have to go read that part again in my cisco course to make sure).

 

 

 

 

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/26460280/

 

 

 

N is faster than G.

I don't believe an N adapter would help out though if the OP doesn't have an N router, would it? To be honest I haven't read much up on wireless G vs wireless N. (My notebook has a wireless N adapter in it though and I don't notice a difference really compared to the other computers in my house on the network).

I don't believe an N adapter would help out though if the OP doesn't have an N router, would it? To be honest I haven't read much up on wireless G vs wireless N. (My notebook has a wireless N adapter in it though and I don't notice a difference really compared to the other computers in my house on the network).

 

 

 

Yes, you are right. There isno point buying an adapter higher than what your wireless router is capable of.

 

 

 

One problem with this is that your Wireless router also needs to be N1 (if you are intending to use an N1 adapter), otherwise it will not reach it's intended speed (for example, if you use a G router with an N1 adapter, it will only have the speed of the G Router, but the range of the N1 adapter).

I highly doubt he'll see a benefit to using N over G. A/N have a longer ranger while B/G/N have a faster speed. As you see, N is in both categories. However, your internet needs to be over 54MB/s, which is doubtful for most, and then you have to buy a router with the correct chip to process all of that information at once. Most routers, even those claiming to be N, still have a limited chip that doesn't allow the speed you want.

I used to use a N adapter with a G router (backwards compatible). Worked absolutely fine, but obviously no improvement.

 

 

 

Wireless will affect your speed depending on how far away you are from the router. For example, when I used to use wireless in my bedroom, my speeds were 1/10 of what they were supposed to be, and my ping kept [bleep]ing up to ridiculous levels (and that was with an excellent signal!) If you're going to be fairly close to your router, you should be fine and the difference would be negligable. Another thing you may wish to consider is the susceptibility to interference; but you can switch channels until you find one that doesn't conflict with other wireless devices in your house.

 

 

 

Another thing to note: I didn't notice any improvement with wireless-N. I switched out my faithful Belkin for a Netgear DGN2000, and the wireless clients in my house have stated that they've noticed no difference over the wireless-G router. It could be because it's a Netgear, but there's something to think about.

 

 

 

Wireless is useful sometimes, though. Just not if you're at the other end of a big house.

Reading the answers, and then looking at my current router, I have realized its a piece of junk from a brand you have never heard of. (Its a SpeedStream 6150 if that makes sense.)

 

 

 

Is it possible/sensible to change routers? We use Frontier's Wireless Internet, since its the only thing available in my area, supposedly. Also, that can't change since we made a 4 year contract with them, or something like that. #-o

 

 

 

If it is, any recommendations on routers?

I used to use a N adapter with a G router (backwards compatible). Worked absolutely fine, but obviously no improvement.

 

 

 

Wireless will affect your speed depending on how far away you are from the router. For example, when I used to use wireless in my bedroom, my speeds were 1/10 of what they were supposed to be, and my ping kept [bleep]ing up to ridiculous levels (and that was with an excellent signal!) If you're going to be fairly close to your router, you should be fine and the difference would be negligable. Another thing you may wish to consider is the susceptibility to interference; but you can switch channels until you find one that doesn't conflict with other wireless devices in your house.

 

 

 

Another thing to note: I didn't notice any improvement with wireless-N. I switched out my faithful Belkin for a Netgear DGN2000, and the wireless clients in my house have stated that they've noticed no difference over the wireless-G router. It could be because it's a Netgear, but there's something to think about.

 

 

 

Wireless is useful sometimes, though. Just not if you're at the other end of a big house.

 

If only one of the adapters is G, the router will use G instead of N to let everyone benefit of the connection. That would mean that maybe someone doesn't have N in your network.

 

 

 

As for the poster above me, I had that speedstream a while ago, until I changed ISP for bad service. That's a modem that really sucks, personnally had to reinitialize it at least twice a day to keep the connection. Very bad service with the company is another matter.

If only one of the adapters is G, the router will use G instead of N to let everyone benefit of the connection. That would mean that maybe someone doesn't have N in your network.

Nah I bought a set of N adapters for use with it. I moved my router a bit today though and that seemed to make at least a little bit of difference.