Pre-N WiFi gear: consider yourself warned
By Ryan Block 
posted Apr 26th 2006 10:37AM
posted Apr 26th 2006 10:37AM
So for those not following the IEEE 802.11n draft spec pending approval and ratification, it could still be a
while before that gets sorted out and "true" 802.11n gear hits the market. Of course, that hasn't stopped
manufacturers from making 802.11n-speed (or faster) and MIMO wireless devices for the past couple of years, but now
that the spec drafts are merged into one, the first "proper" pre-N chipsets are hitting the market, and finding their
way into actual devices. However, eWeek and the Farpoint Group advise a big caveat emptor on pre-N purchases, as
early gear tested by the two has shown issues from incompatibility to poor performance and range that's sub-par to
existing non pre-N Airgo Gen 3 True MIMO chipset-based devices. So do you really need that pre-N gear that much?
Obviously it's your call, but being an early adopter does have its tradeoffs.
Being an early adopter is fine, as long as it isn't early literally untested gear what you adopt. Adopt a poor child instead. Or even better: adapt, adopt and improve...
So what? Isn't this what firmware upgrades were invented for? If the specs change, just update the software.
gnome-
adapt, adopt, and improve... i like that
Since the spec deals heavily with performance that is hardware related it could very easily not be fixable with firmware. And just as easily a firmware fix could make it 'compatible' with the standard and yet not 'compliant'. So you would still get performance below a fully compliant device.
eWeek and the Farpoint hit it on the head, early adoption is fine if you know and accept the risk that in the future your device may work poorly or not at all with compliant devices.
Patrick - Wow, you found a spelling error! That's amazing. I am overjoyed that you decided to share it with us. Do you write the publisher of your favorite book every time you find a mistake in one of their editions? If not, it'd be a great idea. Maybe they'll mail you a special certificate or plaque for your bedroom wall so that everyone can stop by and see for themselves how attentive and intelligent you are.
Of course, remember that the WRT54G, perhaps the most well-known 802.11g router out there, was a Pre-G router...
Justin - Yes!!! And thank you, Justin. I'm glad we think alike. GOSH, MY GENIUS IS FINALLY SEEING FRUITION!!!
Justin reminds me of that judge towards the end of "Billy Madison".
i award you no points. and may god have mercy on your soul.
YESSSSSSSSS. They changed it...