Router Upgrade Question

Compaq sr1650nx desktop (Dec 2005)
AMD Athlon 64 x2 4200 (2.20 GHz)
2 gb RAM

IBM ThinkPad T41 notebook (April 2004)
Pent M (1.60 GHz)
512 mb RAM

Linksys wireless-B router (BEFW11S4)

To date, my wireless network runs fine and I'm using Time Warner Cable
RoadRunner Extreme (up to 10 mbps) service. I have my Compaq desktop wired
to my Linksys router and my ThinkPad connects wirelessly. I do not
broadcast my SSID, I use MAC address filtering, and I use Channel 9 since
most people don't change their default channel.

My question is would I notice a download speed increase on either computer
if I upgraded to the Linksys wireless-G router (maybe even the SpeedBooster
version)? My ThinkPad always shows a 11 mbps wireless connection, whereas
I'm used to seeing something closer to 54 mbps connections with other
notebooks and wireless-G router environments. I also believe my 2004
ThinkPad has an internal wireless-B card so perhaps I'm limited there?

Any feedback is appreciated. Thanks!

Dell Christopher wrote:
> Compaq sr1650nx desktop (Dec 2005)
> AMD Athlon 64 x2 4200 (2.20 GHz)
> 2 gb RAM
>
> IBM ThinkPad T41 notebook (April 2004)
> Pent M (1.60 GHz)
> 512 mb RAM
>
> Linksys wireless-B router (BEFW11S4)
>
> To date, my wireless network runs fine and I'm using Time Warner Cable
> RoadRunner Extreme (up to 10 mbps) service. I have my Compaq desktop wired
> to my Linksys router and my ThinkPad connects wirelessly. I do not
> broadcast my SSID, I use MAC address filtering, and I use Channel 9 since
> most people don't change their default channel.
>
> My question is would I notice a download speed increase on either computer
> if I upgraded to the Linksys wireless-G router (maybe even the SpeedBooster
> version)? My ThinkPad always shows a 11 mbps wireless connection, whereas
> I'm used to seeing something closer to 54 mbps connections with other
> notebooks and wireless-G router environments. I also believe my 2004
> ThinkPad has an internal wireless-B card so perhaps I'm limited there?
>
> Any feedback is appreciated. Thanks!
>
>

Have you tried to test your speed by downloading some large files to
both your desktop and laptop so you can compare whether it would make
any difference?

Downloading large files, no. Speed tests, yes - and many times over the
last several months (speakeasy.net and dslreports.com). The notebook speed
is always noticeably lower (~ 3500-4000), whereas the desktop occasionally
gets close to the 10 mbps mark but mostly ranges between 6-8.

Interestingly, the upload speed on both is the same (~ 975).



"Cal Vanize" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:KyFFi.60$(E-Mail Removed)...
> Have you tried to test your speed by downloading some large files to both
> your desktop and laptop so you can compare whether it would make any
> difference?
>

Dell Christopher wrote:
> Downloading large files, no. Speed tests, yes - and many times over the
> last several months (speakeasy.net and dslreports.com). The notebook speed
> is always noticeably lower (~ 3500-4000), whereas the desktop occasionally
> gets close to the 10 mbps mark but mostly ranges between 6-8.
>
> Interestingly, the upload speed on both is the same (~ 975).
>
>
>
> "Cal Vanize" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
> news:KyFFi.60$(E-Mail Removed)...
>> Have you tried to test your speed by downloading some large files to both
>> your desktop and laptop so you can compare whether it would make any
>> difference?
>>
>
>

Upload would not be limited by your network bandwidth as much as your
ISP. ISPs typically cap upload speeds.

Ssounds like you're probably a candidate for 802.11g. I would have
suggested 802.11a but most laptops don't have that native support and
you'd have to get a PCMCIA card for your laptop that supports 802.11a.

I know a lot of people that have had success with the little Trendnet
TEW-432BRP 802.11b/g wireless router. Or you could just disable your
current radio and get a wireless access point.

Dell Christopher wrote:

> Compaq sr1650nx desktop (Dec 2005)
> AMD Athlon 64 x2 4200 (2.20 GHz)
> 2 gb RAM
>
> IBM ThinkPad T41 notebook (April 2004)
> Pent M (1.60 GHz)
> 512 mb RAM
>
> Linksys wireless-B router (BEFW11S4)
>
> To date, my wireless network runs fine and I'm using Time Warner Cable
> RoadRunner Extreme (up to 10 mbps) service. I have my Compaq desktop wired
> to my Linksys router and my ThinkPad connects wirelessly. I do not
> broadcast my SSID, I use MAC address filtering, and I use Channel 9 since
> most people don't change their default channel.
>
> My question is would I notice a download speed increase on either computer
> if I upgraded to the Linksys wireless-G router (maybe even the SpeedBooster
> version)? My ThinkPad always shows a 11 mbps wireless connection, whereas
> I'm used to seeing something closer to 54 mbps connections with other
> notebooks and wireless-G router environments. I also believe my 2004
> ThinkPad has an internal wireless-B card so perhaps I'm limited there?
>
> Any feedback is appreciated. Thanks!
>
>
Absolutely. G is a faster technology then B. N is even faster than G.
To get the most from your broadband you need the N, cause your wired
connection is even faster than G technology. However, you need to check
your PC's for the types of wireless devices that are installed,
otherwise, you will have to buy a wireless USB device to connect. No
older computers come with wireless N cards, which is also more expensive
than G. But B is old. By the way, you need to use WEP-2 encryption to
be safe with 128 bit encryption.