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I'm about to invest into some wireless networking for the house (mainly for my new laptop). I've been doing some research and most people seem to think LinkSys is a safe way to go.

I know this much so far:

- I need a wireless base, where the cable modem smacks onto
- I need a wireless PC card for the laptop

Now, LinkSys sells two models of the base.. one called a Router, and another called Access Point.

What is the difference between the two? Which do I need?

Thanks in advance, tech geek!!

 
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Msoft is the guy i pick when it comes to computer.
i am not using wireless router at home but i am happy with my D-link router

 
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A router is to route the traffic, that is the one you need initally. If you live in a mansion, and require Internet access boyond the hundreds of feet range that the router provides, then you get an access point, which extends the network.

 
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Go for the router. It's a lot less work. Basically it takes your existing cable or internet connection and it shares it. There are regular ports (RJ-45) for network cards and of course, it also allows wireless network cards to log on. So it accomodates both!

And don't get the 802.11b. That's the old one. Go for the 802.11g. It's much faster (54mbps vs 11mbps max which means "G" is 5 times faster in theory). also 802.11g is 802.11b compatible.
And to take advantage of the "G", you would have to buy new the "G" cards.

I think future shop sells the "G" for $209...
The "B" goes for $129

Hope this helps

 
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Oops... last time when I was looking at wireless network B was better than a , I guess this is what you get for not updating knowledge.

 
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babychai's always up to date with new tech

 
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no, i only take note of the stuff i want...

i bought the wireless "B" router a while ago cuz i couldn't wait for the "G" to come out. But now that it has and it's supposed to be better, why not get it?

or you can get the "B" (it's cheaper now) and then wait a bit and upgrade...(since they'll always be room for upgrade)

depends on how you look at computers...

 
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I have the Linksys wireless for over a year now and I have it hooked up to my laptop and desktop and by far I would say that the Linksys is one of the best ones out there and their customer service is the best out of all of them. So all u really need for u laptop is the wireless router and a card for the laptop. Then just follow the instructions and if u run into any problems call the number on the box and they will help u through the setup and in my point of view if u got a laptop it is well worth it.

 
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Costco has a deal on MS router+NIC combo, $249 w/$50 mail-in rebate.

If you want cheap solution, I have some WAY cheap SMC wireless router $90~ish + NIC for ... have to check.

You need a router, a router can work as an access point but can't the other way.

 
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Hey do I need the G? I heard all you need is a B... because it's quick enough.

Or am I wrong?

Somebody told me web pages load up just as quick... and that it only affects heavy download speeds.

 
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B is good enough for normal usage ... but file transfer computer to computer will be slow ....
it is always good to get something faster ...

 
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But than a few months or weeks something new comes out beating the transfer speeds. When I was a little kid, lol 4 years ago, I wanted everything top of the line... but now I don't care, its a waste of money, I just wait for what is on sale and than use coupons. I still have my AMD 1.33 Axia K (God that was 230USD first come out), along with GFTi300 (After my GF1 which costed 500CDN) and now I have a GFMX420 along with that (dual monitor).

I have given up on the computer, but still knowledgable :P

 
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wtf are u guys talking about
im getting a headache lolz
jk jk

 
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no, the wireless B is good enough (for now)
just listing ur options...

 
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What the....?

 
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I would personally go for the slower one, save myself some cash. It's fast enuf, trusttttt... unless you d/l tons of pr0n and transfer a lot throughout computers on the network :P j/k
Wow babychai, you know lots

 
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01Coupe, you might wanna check to see if 2.4 ghz phones work well in your house. Cuz if those cordless phones don't work very well through walls and stuff, then chances are your wireless network will have a smaller range.

 
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wireless sucks
i say just let wires go all around your house

 
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aaron@aysis.com

01Coupe drop me an Email I'll hook you up and explain some technology to you.

 
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Your Internet connection runs at a max of .8MB/s on a GOOD day on a PERFECT connection. A wireless connection at it's oldest technology is 11MBit/S which translates to about 2~3MB/s. That means even on the slowest wireless network your Internet speed will be 2-3 times slower than your network speed.

Wireless G is designed more for business networks, and currently the cost is too great, and ALSO wireless G is not certified yet! So it's yet to become a standard. That means if you buy a wireless G router now they just might come out with newer and better ones that your old one won't be compatible with.

Go with the old 11MB/s standard for cost. If it's only used for a home network. You won't notice the difference.

 
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hey MSoft, since you know alot about technology, I was wondering if you chould help me out.

I planning on buying a notebook computer and got my eyes set on the Toshiba Satellite 2435-S255.

Features:

2.4 GHz Intel Pentium 4
512 MB SODIMM
40 GB EIDE Hard Disk
CD-RW: 24x (write); DVD-ROM: 8x;
Windows XP Home Edition
Microsoft Windows XP home index_type
15 inch active-matrix display

Is it one of the best ones out on the market?

Thanks