Q&A: New Speeds for Old Machines

Q.

Will an 802.11ac-enabled router improve Wi-Fi speeds older computers? Or do the receiving machines need upgraded hardware to benefit from it?

A.

802.11ac, also known as “Gigabit Wi-Fi,” is the current Next Big Thing in wireless home networking. Compared with the 802.11n standard with its top speed of 450 megabits per second, data can theoretically move at 1.3 gigabits per second over an 802.11ac network; real-world speeds tend to be slower. Considered the fifth generation of Wi-Fi technology since 1997, the 802.11ac standard is also referred to as “5G Wi-Fi” by some companies, including Broadcom, a major chipmaker.

To take advantage of the promised “3x-faster” data speeds, you need compatible 802.11ac network adapters for the computers you want to use with the 802.11ac router. 802.11ac adapters are available from most companies that make networking gear; prices start around $50 for an adapter that plugs into the computer’s USB port. Buying a network adapter made by the same company that manufactured the router sometimes leads to an easier setup, but be sure to read the adapter’s system requirements to make sure it is compatible with your system before buying.

If you do not have 802.11ac adapters for your computers, they do not get the advantage of the router’s increased speeds. The 802.11ac standard uses the 5-gigahertz (GHz) radio frequency, but most new routers can also operate at the 2.4 GHz frequency as well, so devices using 802.11n and older wireless standards can still connect.

With its faster speeds, an 802.11ac network can better handle data-heavy chores like streaming high-definition video, copying large files or multiplayer gaming between computers and devices on the network. Internet download speeds, however, are still at the mercy of your broadband provider’s service and the Web sites you visit.