I've just changed my ISP and got a wireless router free with the startup package. I bought a USB wireless adapater to use with it but the transfer rates when downloading are about 1/4 of the speed I was getting previously with the wired connection. Is that about right? Seems quite a big drop. It's OK when browsing but may be an issue when downloading larger files.
2007-03-18 08:31:18 · 12 answers · asked by pm_french 1 in Computers & Internet ➔ Computer Networking
wireless networks will never deliver the bidirectional speeds that wired networks provide. in the "real-world" transfer rates for 802.11x network devices will be about 50% of the maximum data rate under optimum conditions.
2007-03-18 11:03:15 · answer #1 · answered by lv_consultant 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
USB does not have a very good data transfer rate.
It was good in it's day but now fire-wire is better.
I don't know if you can get a fire-wire wireless though.
I use a PCI wireless card from D-Link I have no complaints. The speed is just as fast.
Now depending on the card you buy and the router you're connecting to and how far you are from it and what obstacles are between your computer and router could alter the signal but you will get the same speed weather you have a weak signal or a strong one but a weak signal may drop out from time to time but when it's on you have the same speed as if you were wired.
2007-03-18 15:43:56 · answer #2 · answered by cromwell564 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Since residential internet speeds only approach 8Mb/s and a wireless connection, assuming you have a 802.11g router and USB adapter, generally run at 54Mb/s then there should not be any transfer speed difference since the internet connection is the bottleneck point and not the wireless router.
That being said there are other things that can be going on here. If you have not setup WEP or WAP security for you wireless connection on the router, then others in your area could be connecting to your router and stealing the bandwidth from you by downloading music or video files.
2007-03-18 15:39:27 · answer #3 · answered by Taba 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You will usually get slower transfer speeds between your computer and the modem using a wireless connection. This is nornal.
In a wireless (radio) link, the signal shares the same frequency band as some domestic items and is subject to interfenrence from TVs, Microwave ovens etc. As the signal degrades, the system auto negotiates the speed until it gets a reliable signal, usually by slowing down the data rate.
USB might also be a bottleneck, usually better results are obtained using an ethernet connection to you modem or router.
Ethernet was designed for network traffic, USB was not.
2007-03-18 15:57:26 · answer #4 · answered by David P 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's going to be slower than a wired connection no matter what. Depending on what kind of router or USB adapter (whether its 802.11b or 802.11g) your speed might be right on target or slightly slow. Check for positioning of the router (higher and more centralized in the home is always better). Also make sure there are no cordless phones that use the 2.4GHz range in use -- change to the new DECT frequency cordless phones if there are (1.9GHz range).
Good luck,
Annorax64
PS: That A+ computer guy above is on crack... doesn't know what he's talking about (and I aint now "newbie")
2007-03-18 15:39:17 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well there is a short delay in wireless that can slow down the transfer rates but when browsing seems the same or faster but wireless is a lot more useful as you can travel.
2007-03-18 15:39:54 · answer #6 · answered by sbraidley 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Congrats on your Wireless router, you may find some downloads are slower than using a wired connection but I find having no cable running to my laptop makes it worthwhile, however if you are using a desktop and it is close to your router then using wired connection would be best option
2007-03-18 15:38:51 · answer #7 · answered by BobC 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Wireless use the same speed as wired except they take longer for signal relay.
Wireless are good for web surfing, chatting, and download but not games.
Games on wireless are generally higher on the latency and more likely to lags.
2007-03-18 15:36:53 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
I'm on wireless and its just the same as wired. I sometimes notice, however, that there is another wireless system in range and wonder if they could pinch some bandwidth because mine is unsecured.
2007-03-18 15:41:22 · answer #9 · answered by JohnH(UK) 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
it depends on how well u have it configured i think ... i have a 5mb line and i get about 4/5ths the speed using wireless g ... that should be plenty for everything ... if ur not getting the speed then u have it configured incorrectly or one of ur hardware pieces is limiting it by its design ... or possibly the firmware needs to be updated on the wireless router ...
2007-03-18 15:39:58 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋