Question: Wireless B router, Wireless LAN 802.11g laptop...

[rockthecasbah]

Hi

Happy holidays everyone!

Here's my stupid question, as I am very computer illiterate particularly with hardware.

I have a Wireless B router for the internet connection throughout the house. And I just bought a laptop that has "Wireless LAN 802.11g". From my googling, I realize that Wireless G routers is backwards compatible with Wireless B... however, would my laptop that DOESN'T have Wireless LAN 802.11 (a/)b/g work on my wireless network? Would I have to replace it with a wireless g router to get my internet to work?

I was thinking of getting the 'Trendnet 54Mbps Wireless-G Router & Wireless-G USB 2.0 Adapter Package' on sale at futureshop, if this is the case (and plus I know wireless G is faster) but it's sold out right now...

[goofball]

it will work fine with 802.11b. I haven't met a card that hasn't worked yet.

[maebach]

it'd be really stupid if it didnt work.

[itsmypostoffice]

the a/b/g rating measures transfer speed (and sometimes encryptions varieties available as well as other goodies). generally, if you're just surfing or checking your email you won't notice any difference...in fact, most ISP don't offer downloads at Wifi G. you want a router with a strong signal and often it's a Wifi G model with up to date firmware to block out interference.

[rockthecasbah]

awesome, thanks for the responses everyone!

I got confused with the "why are there laptops with Wireless LAN 802.11 b/g, if wireless b networks work fine with merely Wireless LAN 802.11g?". Yes, I'm very very computer illiterate

[jerryhung]

Try transferring large files over 802.11b is no fun
802.11g is better at 54 Mbps, but 100-base LAN is even better

[shabby]

Try transferring large files over 802.11b is no fun
802.11g is better at 54 Mbps, but 100-base LAN is even better

The max transfer you'll see with 802.11g is around 20mbps, you'll never see 54mpbs like its advertised.