Wireless Router Speeds... how helpful are they?

[chriscordell]

As far as I can see with the release of the new "ac" speed all it's gonna do is cut down on power usage. I don't understand really why there needs to be a speed bump. I know for business where huge amounts of data are required. yeah, of course its needed. Will it make any difference for me though? Range is an issue of course between a, b and n routers but I've never understood, if i'm only getting about 8mbps on my line why do I need the data transferred from the router to my mac at 54mbps+? Does it really make any difference at all? Could someone please explain this to me

 

[maflynn]

you don't if you're getting 8mbps on your internet connection, but many others on broadband are getting much faster internet connections so those faster routers will not be a bottleneck

With 8mbps your internet provider is the bottleneck and wireless-n router would be a waste of money.

 

[paulrbeers]

With 8mbps your internet provider is the bottleneck and wireless-n router would be a waste of money.

This is short sighted, it isn't just about your Mac to the world wide web, it's also about your Mac to any computers on your network. I transfer data all the time between computers in my house.

 

[NogbadTheBad]

My Macbook Pro backs up via wireless, the higher the bandwidth the less time it takes to backup.

 

[maflynn]

This is short sighted, it isn't just about your Mac to the world wide web, it's also about your Mac to any computers on your network. I transfer data all the time between computers in my house.

Yes, but many people only own a single computer and the OP is only referencing the internet, not a local network

 

[steve2112]

Yes, but many people only own a single computer and the OP is only referencing the internet, not a local network

Also, the router manufacturers advertising tends to make some people believe that simply by installing their product, their internet access will speed up. Except for the highest speed connections, this simply isn't true.

 

[paulrbeers]

Yes, but many people only own a single computer and the OP is only referencing the internet, not a local network

True, but as you can see the OP is a newbie, so it would probably help to explain how the speed can help because s/he may not realize the benefits are beyond just using the internet and by not explaining where the speed gains can be found.

 

[takeshi74]

Will it make any difference for me though?

Impossible to answer based solely on your post.

why do I need the data transferred from the router to my mac at 54mbps+? Does it really make any difference at all? Could someone please explain this to me

Have you actually verified that you're getting such speeds between your computer and your access point? The specs only specify the maximum speed. What you're getting in the real world is affected by a number of variables.