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This is really a great question. There's a lot of advantages to going with Wireless-N.
First off, you'll get up to double the speed (or more) of a Wireless-G connection, in theory. You may not need this speed for standard internet use, but it would be helpful when streaming HD video or playing demanding online games.
Second, you'll get expanded range from Wireless-N, again up to double or more of a Wireless-G product. NETGEAR's WNR2000 Wireless-N router claims up to 5X the range, and 15X the speed of a Wireless-G connection.
Also, if you get a dual-band Wireless-N router, you can take advantage of the 5 gHz band to help reduce interference from household devices.
The current devices are built on the 802.11n Draft 2.0. The draft is expected to be finalized in March 2009, so again in theory, upgrading to Wireless-N now will prepare you for the future. (See Wikipedia for more info on the specific updates to the status of the draft.)
In order to take advantage of it, though, you'll need to get Wireless-N adapters for your laptop/etc. Here are some examples.
And for your last question, should you buy an open source router? It depends on what you're looking to do. If you're not much of a tinkerer or a hacker, then an open source router may offer features that you don't need. I do like the DD-WRT firmware, but will openly admit that I don't really use the advanced features that it offers, at least not right now, since I mostly use it for simple internet access. So I think a standard router would work just fine for you, check out this one for starters.
It's a moot point, though, if you're looking for a Wireless-N router; I don't know of an open source router that supports Wireless-N. (The WGR614L is Wireless-G, for example.)
Categories: MyOpenRouter Lounge
Some questions I have regarding the purchase of a new router (mine broke):
I have to admit that I haven't been up on the latest in wireless standards lately. Is Wireless N a standard yet, or should I stick with G? My existing wireless connections are all built in to laptops, so I don't really have any legacy Wireless G technology that would go to waste.
I'm not a tinkerer, so probably wouldn't need an open source router, or would I? Are there other advantages that should lean me in tha t direction?
I have a MediaSmart Server, so I'll be using the network heavily to stream video and audio as well as backup my devices. I would love to do this wirelessly if possible.
Any thoughts, inputs would be appreciated!
- member since: 01/02/2008
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My IMHO: if you have .n devices to use it with, .n router is a must. If you have no any .n devices, buying device with .n will not give you benefits but still good to have benefits in future.However .n support is not only a criteria to go.You may also want gigabit ports and\or fast CPU so router can really cope with routing and firewalling of all this traffic.I'm personally like USB jacks and will never buy device without USB since this extends device features set greatly.And so on.
I ended up going with the RangeMax WNDR3300 Dual Band Wireless-N Router. It's screaming fast with the Wireless N card that I bought for my laptop 
According to the DD-WRT website the WNDR3300 is supported by DD-WRT - not by this website, of course, since it is not WGR614L. See http://forum1.netgear.com/showpost.php?s=532cf94ecac15dcd5ed40841cbe4c57e&p=1... or go to the "supported hardware" page through the tab on the main DDWRT page. I have no personal experience of this (yet).
Maybe stupid question but will wireless N speed up/expand range of wireless G as well as all our laptops have wireless G inside but am not capable to reach max speed due too concrete/distance.
View unverified member's comment - posted by mercer
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Good questions... to my knowledge, to reap the benefits of Wireless-N, you'll have to upgrade the cards in your laptop to Wireless-N type cards. Now, you should still be able to get a signal from your Wireless-N router on your laptops with the G cards, but you won't get the extra speed.
I'm thinking that you *might* still be able to benefit from the expanded range, though, even with the G cards - but I'm not 100% sure.
I'd love to hear some Wireless-N experts out there give us their thoughts... anybody?
From what I understand so far, if you use Wireless N router and have wireless G cards installed in ur PC's/laptops you won't gain from either higher transfer rates nor wider wireless cover. Ie range wireless G will still be same as wireless G router. However am not an expert in this.
A quick questio, will the N standard improve wireless streaming of video over the network as at the moment im gettiing jumpy playback from my ReadyNas shared folders over G on VLC player. Could the N standard improve things?
- member since: 01/02/2008
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I think it's possible that it could improve streaming speed for you, but only if you have a wireless-N connection on the machine that you are streaming to.
So, if it's a laptop that you're using the VLC player to stream video to, you would need to get a Wireless-N card if it doesn't already have it built in. Otherwise, you won't get the benefits of Wireless-N.
Of course, it's not a guarantee that your speed will improve because of all the other variables, but there's a good chance it will help.
View unverified member's comment - posted by Goobe
The advantages of having Wireless-N (Draft-N to date) is that you get three things mainly: speed (up to 600Mbps (N) over 54Mbps (G), range up to 5 times greater, and MIMO (multiple input, multiple output). If you have an
I guess I'm still a bit lost. How can I find out which router will work with my laptop. I have always used G, but N appears to be half the price. I dont really care about all the bells and whistles, just don't want wires running all over my floor. So, how can I check my computer and see which router will work. I have moved and bought a new laptop and also am wired right now. So its as if I was starting fresh. Thanks,Mark
My router busted today. I have several devices (laptops, gaming systems, etc) using the wireless. However, only one of the 3 laptops used in my home have N capability (the laptops use the router more than anything - except when my son is home from college).
SO - I want to buy a new router with N capability, but the G devices must still be able to use them. Is N automatically backwards capable to G (understanding that the G devices will not gain the benefits). I just want to be certain that an N router will work with G devices.
And any suggestions on brands/models?
- member since: 10/14/2008
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Yes you can use G devices with N router .... but u will not be able to avail features specific to the N standard ..... :)
Rest of the things will remain OK ...
Hey there, Escalade
Wireless G is usually half the price, but that's okay due to the fact most people don't "need" Wireless-N, that is to say that they don't benefit due mostly to the fact that while N does increase data-rate-transmission, this is generally only useful for networking (transfering files from one computer to another in a home/office network ie. laptop===>desktop). N does increase range, and this is important for trying to recieve a signal through a floor lets say, but as for speed, if you don't subscibe to a fast, most likely expensive internet service (greater than high-speed) you wont even notice the difference, trust me. So what I'm trying to say is, go with Wireless-G if you're not networking, and money is an issue, if not, go with N, also because there will be resale, but it's not necessary.
Dear Peter, I have two wireless routers. I want to extend the range by networking second wireless router to first wireless router in wirless mode. ( I want to connect second router to first router thru wireless and enxted the range).Can you help me out is it possible is yes how?
Boy this stuff is confusing. I have a XP desktop in my office of my house that does not have a cable connection. I don't want wires running all over the place. Can I have a wireless N connected to my cable where my TV is downstairs and able to access the internet via cable in my office upstairs? Do I have to do anything to my desktop for it to use the wireless internet?
wireless n if yu plan to use a wireless connection , it's much better than G standard
you can find top N wireless routers here : wireless router reviews
I agree with chrome
alos,802.11 is finalized today and will be published in October .
so G routers will not be released in the future .
also there are cheap N routers with decent performance ,even cheaper than g routers .
take a look at TP-LINK TL-WR941ND Wireless N Router.
you can get it for 49$ and it offers an excellent throughput speed (one of the fatest routers in mixed mode(N/G))
i'm surprised also with the router range , i can get a stable signal for 300 feet away .
that's really great deal
- member since: 10/14/2008
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thnx for d info ... I was also in a dilemma abt whether to go for a N router or keep using G routers ....
This information has solved most of my queries ... :)
I have a neighbor who is a childhood friend. If we buy a wireless N router for his house would I be able to receive a reliable signal? The distance from my house to his is about 40-50 yards. It would be great to split the cost of internet service each month. :)
View unverified member's comment - posted by WILDJON99
I have a lynksis router at my apt. After a few weeks, I can't connect anymore. I changed the channel twice, it works for a while, then quits. I'm at a loss, what else can I do??
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