Lab
Wireless routers
[PC Pro]
If you have a wireless router, chances are it supports a maximum speed of 54Mb/sec, more commonly known as 802.11g. But with new routers based on the Draft 802.11n standard boasting 12x faster speed and 6x better coverage, and a host of so-called Super G routers promising similar feats, a whole new world of possibilities opens up.
The 802.11n standard hasn't been ratified yet, but why wait for official 802.11n products when unofficial ones are available now? Instead of being able to stream DVD-quality video, you can now watch HD content wirelessly. Several users can now listen to music or watch DivX movies simultaneously, while others browse the internet. And where you might have shied away from transferring large files wirelessly because of speed issues, some routers here claim to be faster than 10/100 Ethernet.
Likewise, all the routers boast better coverage than standard 802.11g models. Most use MIMO technology (see Buyers' guide, p109) to increase range and remove dead spots.
But many of these claims are simply that, and actual performance can be vastly different. We've rigorously tested every router to show exactly what sort of speed and coverage you can expect in a home or office; for details, see p108. None of the models matched the claims, but several will leave your 802.11g router for dust.
Of course, there are features to consider, such as Quality of Service. This gives priority to traffic like video streams or VoIP calls to ensure they don't break up because your bandwidth is saturated with other data.
To get the best speed and range from any of these routers, you'll need the matching PC Card, USB or PCI adapter. Using your notebook's built-in 802.11g WLAN simply won't do - it will work, but with reduced speed and range. These adapters vary in price with some costing as much as £90. If you have two or three notebooks, the total bill will soon mount up.
You can find specifications on p110. There are routers with and without integrated ADSL modems, and prices to suit all budgets. However, only two walk away with awards.
