I saw in AirPort settings that you can set a 802.11n network to be 2.4 GHz (b/g compatible) and 5 GHz (a compatible). I set my AirPort up to be 802.11n-only, so I'm wondering which one is better?
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AirPort Extreme 802.11n network... 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz?
- Thread starter ravenvii
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5 GHz can be better speed-wise, especially if you use wide-channels. There's also fewer things to interfere with it there (microwave ovens, some cordless phones (although they're moving to 5 GHz as well), other WLANs) You'll have two possible problems, though:
1) signals in the 5 GHz range don't travel as far or penetrate walls as well as those in the 2.4 GHz
2) if people come over to your house with anything other than a 802.11a or 802.11n card (and most 802.11n cards don't even support 5 GHz, other than Apple's), they won't be able to connect to your network.
If you can connect fine everywhere in your house/apartment at 5 GHz, and the only wireless devices you use are newish Apple ones, I'd go for it. You can always switch it to 2.4 GHz if people come over. If you have a big place and/or regularly have people over with old hardware, stick with the 2.4 GHz b/g/n mode.