Smudge

I will be getting a new laptop soon - probably a Dell. The guy at Dell said that I should definately go with the 802.11n instead of 802.11g. However, I have read that wireless-n is only the draft version, and it has not been finalized. I also read where there is some doubt that when wireless-n becomes finalized that it will not be compatible with the draft version. This is my first laptop with built in wifi - any advice? Thanks

nffc10

Get the 802.11n. I have a Belkin N1 router and a wireless N usb device and they are both compatible.

I can't see though why they wouldn't be compatible if 802.11 A/B/G are all backwards compatible.

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jimmymac

wirless N is still in draft stage (at least i think it still is) which means not all will be compatible wth each other, to be safe it is better to get two of the same brand.

Im using a netgear DG834N with a netger wireless N pci card and its been fantastic, Its solved all of my dropout problems as my pc is quite distance from the router

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atomic

I have the same router. Awesome router. Where before i had dead zones, i now get very good to excellent signal.

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Smudge

how about if I get the 802.11n and go to a hotspot that has 802.11g......should my laptop be able to connect to the internet

nffc10

My Wireless-N usb device can connect to uncles Wireless-G router....

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PohTayToez

I'm pretty sure all wireless 'n' should be compatible with all wireless 'g'... nffc10, that must be a problem somewhere else. What you read before was that some wireless 'n' routers are not compatible with some wireless 'n' adapters, because the format is still in the draft stage. I wouldn't pay more for wireless 'n' if you can help it... by the time it becomes the standard your laptop will be outdated.

[-0MEGA-]

As Jimmy said, 802.11n has not been finalized yet, so any manufacturer can create their own 802.11n device using different technology, and market it as a "pre-n device". You can buy parts from the same manufacturer and they will be compatible, but if you mix 802.11n brands theres a chance they wont work at the 802.11n speeds and ranges.

And any 802.11n device is backwards compatible with at least 802.11b/g.

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The_Other_One

The question is what do you plan to do with your laptop? Do you plan to make many file transfers OVER A NETWORK(IE not the internet?) If so you may wish to consider the faster "N" cards. However, I think of the most part, you'd be just fine with a good B/G card. I mean I just got a router a few weeks ago, and I didn't even consider an "N" router. Why? Besides the fact all my computers still run "G"(and PDA is "B") 99% of the time I'm doing stuff online. Most of the time I'm the only one even connected to my router ;P

Just some stuff to think about

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spitviper

you can alway get an external card when they finalize wireless n

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