Buying a Wireless N Router or Upgrading to 20mbps?

[msw123307]

I just recently got set up and am wanting to get faster web speeds. I'm using a wireless-G router now. Typically I'll just use multiple computers to browse/download, and watch sports on Apple TV or PS3/Netflix. The PS3 and Apple TV are directly connected.

I'm wondering what differences I would see by going with an Airport Express that's N compatible, or by upgrading from 10mbps to 20? It seems if I up the speed to 20 it would only be useful for streaming. What about upgrading to an N router? Would this help my web speeds only since my video devices are plugged in directly? Do all my devices have to be wireless N in order to reap the benefits? I have a Withings Scale that I don't think is N compatible.

Thoughts appreciated.

 

[alust2013]

I'd say upgrading your speed would be better, especially with multiple devices. Even 20Mbps doesn't touch N speeds, so you wouldn't see a whole lot of benefit there.

 

[Razorhog]

20mb! Man I wish I had that choice.

 

[msw123307]

so i won't see any diff in web speed/streaming videos by upgrading the router?

 

[iStudentUK]

so i won't see any diff in web speed/streaming videos by upgrading the router?

You might see an improvement. It is hard to say though- what signal strength do your devices get? Does you current router signal suffer from interference? Is it a good quality one? Dual or single band?

However, upgrading the line from10 to 20Mbps will make a massive difference. (When I first got cable broadband they gave me 3 months free upgrade to 20 from 10. Miss it now! )

 

[cube]

This gives you an idea of what you can expect with G:

http://www.proxim.com/learn/library/whitepapers/maximizing_80211g_investment.pdf

 

[Hermes Monster]

Is both an option? Try asking your ISP to send you a N router to reward you for giving them more money p/m. If not, get the 20mb

 

[aristobrat]

so i won't see any diff in web speed/streaming videos by upgrading the router?

Web speeds are limited to the speed of whichever is the slowest: the speed of the network inside of your house, or the speed of your Internet connection.

Reading cube's linked article, your 802.11G network is likely pushing data around at ~27mpbs inside your house. Your Internet connection is 10mbps, making it the most likely bottleneck.

If you get a new router and it gives a stronger signal to a device that was getting a crappy one from your old router, that may make the Internet seem a little faster -- on that device.

But generally speaking, doubling your Internet connection (from 10mbps to 20mpbs) will most likely give you the biggest performance improvement on all devices.

 

[msw123307]

seems like the 20 mbps is the winner here. although i'm thinking about doing both.

i actually thought it would be the other way around. i had read that there isn't a big difference from 10 - 20 because basically the devices aren't able to capture data any faster. sounds like that isn't true.

my devices are macbook, macbook air, iphone, ipad 2, ps3, apple tv, and a withings scale. i think all are N compatible except the scale. is it true that having one device that isn't N compatible will bring the whole network down from N to G?

 

[aristobrat]

AFAIK, having a G device on a N network will stop the N devices from talking as fast as they are capable, but it doesn't slow them down to G speeds.

Some routers are dual-band, which let's you setup two wireless networks on the same router. One would be for B/G devices, and the other one would be for N-only devices. Best of both worlds, if you need N speeds. But if your N-devices are mostly just using the Internet, that's probably overkill!