You may recall Neowin's previous article regarding this topic, posted on the eighth of August this year. "The 802.11n technology, as it is known, was ratified by the IEEE, a body that oversees all wi-fi standards."
The previous article was regarding the technology being in a near completion stage. News today from the BBC Technology website indicates that it has officially been approved for users. Although undoubtedly a big piece of news for internet users the world over, there has still been some speculation and malcontent for the technology. Some individuals are stating that the new standard is only helpful for the user who wishes to upgrade (in terms of bandwidth) for the purpose of HD media streaming in a household - to upgrade to the new technology is somewhat a false economy for the general internet user.
Originally conceived around six years ago, the new technology promises speeds at least six times faster than current approved technology which runs at 54mbps as a standard. Many may think that the N series of routers have been around for a while, and they would be correct in thinking so, however these products were only 'draft' in terms of their standard and on average only produced advertised speeds of 150 - 300mbps. The newly manufactured routers should be able to produce speeds of up to 600mbps constantly.
Based on personal experiences, setting up HD media streaming in a household with a draft N router has been a little bleak - unsurprising, considering the product was only a draft one. If you are after the ability to stream HD throughout your household, do some research and make sure you are getting the best out of your new N standard router.
+1... I was wondering if they were ever going to approve it... Now I can plan to upgrade...
What is your source for that? even your source in the article says 300Mbps.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/8254085.stm
Wikipedia's source also states the same:
http://www.electronista.com/articles/09/09...80211n.at.last/
Not a typo, see my comment (#6)
1. When will the non-draft N routers be available on store shelves?
2. I am planning on purchasing a new laptop this fall. Would it be in my best interest to wait until the non-draft wireless N cards are available? Any idea when those would be available?
Thanks.
Greenstein
Data rates up to 600 Mbit/s are achieved only with the maximum of four spatial streams using a 40 MHz-wide channel. Various modulation schemes and coding rates are defined by the standard and are represented by an MCS index value. The table below shows the relationships between the variables that allow for the maximum data rate.
2. Yes do wait
Hopefully, those HD streaming capabilities are somehow accurate...
It was about time already for it to be approved.
For most people 54g is enough...
If things didnt move forward we'd all still be sitting infront 486 with 4MB RAM.
With HD streaming etc becoming more popular, N will be a welcome speed boost. Especially given the new 5GHz band (N) which is less congested than 2.5GHz (G)
Granted it never pays to be an early adopter but once prices and compatibility settle N should be much better than G
If things didnt move forward we'd all still be sitting infront 486 with 4MB RAM.
With HD streaming etc becoming more popular, N will be a welcome speed boost. Especially given the new 5GHz band (N) which is less congested than 2.5GHz (G)
Granted it never pays to be an early adopter but once prices and compatibility settle N should be much better than G
One point that "hardgiant" may not have expressed is that the bandwidth provided by most people's ISPs is much, much lower than 54mbps, therefore there is no benefit to having a faster router.
Of course it's a different thing altogether when it comes to exchanging data between computers within your own LAN, but then again, you'd need to be transferring gigabytes worth of data on a regular basis in order to justify replacing a router that you already have...
If things didnt move forward we'd all still be sitting infront 486 with 4MB RAM.
With HD streaming etc becoming more popular, N will be a welcome speed boost. Especially given the new 5GHz band (N) which is less congested than 2.5GHz (G)
Granted it never pays to be an early adopter but once prices and compatibility settle N should be much better than G
One point that "hardgiant" may not have expressed is that the bandwidth provided by most people's ISPs is much, much lower than 54mbps, therefore there is no benefit to having a faster router.
Of course it's a different thing altogether when it comes to exchanging data between computers within your own LAN, but then again, you'd need to be transferring gigabytes worth of data on a regular basis in order to justify replacing a router that you already have...
Most ISP's offer free loan routers as part of their package. So upgrading as such isnt a concern.
As you say moving data around the LAN, extended N coverage are the main factors. Personally if my ISP offered an G router and an N router you would be stupid not to take the N.
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