What data transfer rate?

Question

Researching gateways for wireless connection (UK ADSL) and am unsure whether to go with data transfer rate of 108 Mbps or 54Mbps. Don't want to go with a speed that'll be out of date soon, on the other hand I want to be sure my laptop network card/adapter is compatible. ie isn't slower than the gateway. Anyone know how I can find out, or doesn't it work that way?? I have a Dell Inspiron 1300 with a 1370 Wireless LAN PC Card 802.11b/g   Thanks

volcano11 · Answer

DSL will not likely ever be faster that 10 Mbps (currently less than 5 Mbps). Thus since both 108 Mbps or 54 Mbps are much faster than the dsl connection, you will see no difference. Note that you will only see the 108 Mbps transfer rate if the network cards and the router are from the same manufacturer, since 108 Mbps speeds are proprietary to the manufacturer (i.e. there is no current standard). The 1370 and 1300 wireless cards from Dell do not support the 108 Mbps speed and Dell does not make a router that supports this higher speed. Furthermore, the only reason you would ever need 108 Mbps is if you frequently transfer large files on the local network (i.e. between the computers). 54 Mbps is more that sufficient for internet browsing.

Steve

NemesisDB · Answer

I'll just say that as 802.11n *finally* made it to final draft stage, anything you buy will be out of date (relatively) soon ;-)   Here's to hoping that n is everything g was supposed to be

esquire · Answer

DSL has already reached 12Mbps and higher using VDSL.  In the UK the max bandwidth for ADSL is 8Mbps in selected areas with BT Broadband, but I do agree with Steve, it is still slower and will see no difference.

NemesisDB · Answer

i just got dsl at a new office (6down, .5 up) ...  comcast couldn't give us cable for 2 months ... will prolly switch once cable is available (8 down 1up)

Networking, Internet, & Bluetooth

What data transfer rate?

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