wireless N backwards compatible with G??

[Soundguy]

Got a question for you tech guys.

At work, our router has wireless G. I'm considering getting a new laptop ( as my old desktop died a few weeks ago, and I'm using an old laptop in it's place.. and like the portability ). I'm looking at a laptop that says it has wireless N... and wondering.. will it work on that G connection at the office? ( have already found out that we will -not- upgrade the router at this time.. so the onus is on me to buy compatible hardware... )

Any tech guys out there know the answer?

thanks

soundguy

 

[drssg]

The specs on the laptop should include compatibility of the wireless adapter. I'd say it's probably compatible, but it would be best to verify.

 

[Soundguy]

I only had time to run in at lunch and look.. should have hunted down the box to read it.. but only saw the sales 'tag' which just listed high points.. like ram, cpu, video carb.. battery life.. etc.

Are N products commoly backwards compatile? general question here as i know i will need to investigate the laptop further.. etc..

soundguy

 

[denmansoft]

Most wireless N gear is compatible with G. The laptop spec sheet (available on the web for most models) should say for sure.

 

[J_J]

Got a question for you tech guys.

At work, our router has wireless G. I'm considering getting a new laptop ( as my old desktop died a few weeks ago, and I'm using an old laptop in it's place.. and like the portability ). I'm looking at a laptop that says it has wireless N... and wondering.. will it work on that G connection at the office? ( have already found out that we will -not- upgrade the router at this time.. so the onus is on me to buy compatible hardware... )

Any tech guys out there know the answer?

thanks

soundguy

I would say , yes.

I found this.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/802.11#General_description


Draft 802.11n Wireless Connectivity
ZyXEL NBG-415N is the perfect solution for home users demanding cutting-edge, versatile networking devices. Taking advantage of Draft IEEE 802.11n technology, the NBG-415N can efficiently pinpoint client computers and select adequate methods to exchange radio signals. Coupled with Draft 802.11n clients, the NBG-415N can truly push wireless coverage to the limit. With the upcoming IEEE 802.11n technology, the NBG-415N can eliminate dead zones and extend coverage up to 4 times, while retaining the backward-compatibility with all 802.11b/g devices.

 

[Wombat125]

I can almost guarantee that it is 802.11g and 802.11b compatible. 802.11n isn't even a ratified standard yet. This is why the fine print on all the N devices still says Draft-N.

The vendor would have had to lost his marbles to produce a device that *only* supports an unratified protocol.

 

[Soundguy]

Ok.. update.. here's what I gleaned off the 'info' sheet fom the seller's website about this laptop model.. I take it that last line that mentions a/b/g/n is the stuff that i was looking for .. right?:

Intel® Centrino® 2 processor technology with interrelated Intel® Core™2 Duo processor P8400
Intel® PM45 chipset, Intel® Wi-Fi Link 5100 network connection (802.11a/b/g/n) and extended battery life.

By the way, Thanks for any and all help from all who have responded.

soundguy

 

[denmansoft]

You got it!. the a/b/g/n is what you were looking for.
I really don't know of anyone with 802.11a.
802.11b is usually the fallback if you have low signal/noise.
802.11g is faster than most peoples connection to the internet.
802.11n I have'nt seen actual impovements over G at this point but I haven't really tested that much.

 

[drssg]

...802.11a/b/g/n...

Yeah, that's the key phrase. That says you're good.

 

[Wombat125]

I take it that last line that mentions a/b/g/n is the stuff that i was looking for .. right?:

Exactly. You are basically compatible with every Wi-Fi device that has ever been released thus far.

 

[Soundguy]

Cool, thanks guys.

I've also never heard of the A... I used to have a B network in the house.. uh.. years ago.. I got my G router a couple years ago at home and was surprised to see it saw the old B devices.. which i upgraded to G for speed... My home laptop is thus G and that worked out good as I could take it to work where it is G as well.. Now I know the new laptp should work at work AND home.. DOUBLE bonus.

thanks again.

soundguy

 

[Wis Bang]

Cool, thanks guys.

I've also never heard of the A... I used to have a B network in the house.. uh.. years ago.. I got my G router a couple years ago at home and was surprised to see it saw the old B devices.. which i upgraded to G for speed... My home laptop is thus G and that worked out good as I could take it to work where it is G as well.. Now I know the new laptp should work at work AND home.. DOUBLE bonus.

thanks again.

soundguy

I bought an A/B/G adaptor for my thinkpad and I've never seen A. I think only early wireless corp offices used A.

 

[funkydaddy59]

I'm writing this reply on a N laptop which is sending to a G router.

 

[Wombat125]

802.11a was the first 54 Gbps wireless network standard, but never really gained market penetration.

It does have an advantage in some manufacturing/industrial environments since it operates in the 5 GHz band and is slightly more resistant to RF interference than the b/g/n variants which operate in the 2.4 GHz band. The 2.4 GHz band is shared with cordless phones and microwaves and all sorts of other electronic paraphernalia.

 

[Soundguy]

Mines working perfectly with a g router and n laptop.. so all is good!

thanks guys.

soundguy