Wireless N laptops

[Arnwyn]

So, it looks like laptops are now coming out with Wireless N built in.

However, while we've seen for quite a while Wireless N routers being sold (ostensibly under the most recent "Draft N" standards), it seems like the N standard won't be ratified until November 2008, and not published until June 2009.

Is it worth buying a laptop with Wireless N (and a router that works with it) right now, or just wait until 2009? (Assuming one isn't in a tremendous hurry.)

 

[Umbran]

Is it worth buying a laptop with Wireless N (and a router that works with it) right now, or just wait until 2009? (Assuming one isn't in a tremendous hurry.)

In the past, the industry has sold equipment with what they expect to be the new protocol, only to have the standard change on them shortly before it is ratified, such that they don't interact well with later equipment made to the standard.

My own thought would be to wait for it to be official - you aren't going to get much functionality out of being an early adopter.

 

[Bront]

In the past, the industry has sold equipment with what they expect to be the new protocol, only to have the standard change on them shortly before it is ratified, such that they don't interact well with later equipment made to the standard.

My own thought would be to wait for it to be official - you aren't going to get much functionality out of being an early adopter.

Yes, but most companies build firmware updatable products that can adjust to this, as long as it's not a huge hardware change.

If it's GBA comatable, you're probably safe enough. I wouldn't pay much extra for it though.

 

[Thanee]

Unless you desperately need a laptop now and won't buy another one by then whatsoever, I see absolutely no reason to do this now.

Bye
Thanee

 

[XCorvis]

I would wait as well, but if you really want to go for it, get one where the manufacturer guarantees that they'll be able to offer a firmware update to make it officially 802.11n compatible.

 

[azhrei_fje]

I'm not sure a guarantee is really practical. Since it's a "draft standard", there could be electrical changes that will require a hardware replacement, not just a firmware upgrade. And you're not likely to find a manufacturer who will guarantee to replace a wireless card that you buy now (Jan 2008) with one after the standard is published (June 2009; using the previous poster's dates).

On the flipside, many wireless cardsets are firmware upgradeable for a wide array of options. Many of the LinkSys WRT54{G,GL} routers can actually do the "SpeedBooster" thing if you reflash them to Linux and install the necessary kernel modules...

My advice would be: don't purchase a laptop because of the wireless N card. If you can get one with everything you want and it comes with wireless N, great. But don't make wireless N a requirement for consideration.

After all, you're unlikely to find wireless N in most coffee shops or bookstores any time soon (except maybe in some California locations!), so it wouldn't be of value except at home. (I use the wireless on my laptop mostly when I'm on the road, which is about 30-35 weeks a year. But I prefer the speed and security of a wired connection at home. And I have an RJ-45 jack in every room of the house.)

 

[XCorvis]

I'm not sure a guarantee is really practical. Since it's a "draft standard", there could be electrical changes that will require a hardware replacement, not just a firmware upgrade. And you're not likely to find a manufacturer who will guarantee to replace a wireless card that you buy now (Jan 2008) with one after the standard is published (June 2009; using the previous poster's dates).

I have actually seen equipment offer this guarantee, though I don't know exactly what that entails if the upgrade will require more than firmware. Supposedly the draft standard was "close enough" that they didn't expect any hardware changes, and that was about 6 months ago.