Network Saavy Folks, Question

[Kailei]

As most of you may or may not know, I am planning on purchasing a new computer within the next few weeks (whichever option I wind up going with). I know I do NOT want to use a wireless card, or one of those USB wireless things on a desktop. I've done that in the past, and it makes the internet I do have, suck terribly.

The problem that I face, is I live with my mother, and drilling holes in the walls to run CAT 5 cable is not an option. So I found this:

http://www.amazon.com/NETGEAR-Powerline ... 1EPJTOX14W

The reviews on this thing are pretty good.

I was just wondering if any of you used something similar to this and if you had any input. I am willing to drop the money on it, just so I don't have to worry about trying to configure my desktop that I wind up purchasing for wireless.

[Pincus]

I use a similar setup. My experience is "meh". It really depends on how the house is wired. It can be good, and it can suck. Hard. I can get good speeds, but I had to work at finding plugs into the house on short wire runs and low noise circuits.

[Kailei]

But is it a step up from having a wireless card in a desktop or one of those wireless adapter things?

[Canaie]

Never tried power line networking. Wireless could be acceptable, but it depends on many factors such as signal quality and interference. You probably won't know till you try.

[Kailei]

Well I know where the router in the house and my room where my computer is, even now I get crappy wireless. It dc's me all the time, and I was hoping that something like this thing would make it so at least I have a constant connection.

[Malstrom]

Is your current wireless router Wireless 'N'? Or (more likely) Wireless 'G'.

If you upgrade your wireless router to Wireless 'N' it has a much stronger signal and a much longer range. If you are buying a new system, just make sure the wireless card supports 'N' (most of the new ones do) and it might go a long way to solving your issues.

I just bought this one and it really made a huge difference.

I can't guarantee it will solve all your issues, but it might.

Mal

[Pincus]

Debugging poor wireless performance was easier than debugging the powerline network. I had to do powerline since I couldn't get enough repeaters in the right spots.

[Kailei]

I honestly don't know what kind of router we have at the house. Plus there is the problem of me being on the opposite end of the house than where the router is.

Powerline seems to be an option that gives me the capability for wired connection without all the running cables across the house.

There have been times when I've been playing that I've had excellent signal strength and it would all of a sudden drop to limited or no connection at all.

[Greebo]

Pauline can work but can easily be rendered nearly useless if your house doesn't have quite modern and up to code wiring. A new router with a booster and a new cars with a good antenna is more likely to server you well if your house is more than 25 years old.

[Kailei]

This house is newer than 25 years, that much I do know. I just do not want to count on wireless internets for raiding anymore as it brings up all sorts of lag issues and such.

[Greebo]

Well then, I guess you should try out the powerline stuff then.