BT vs. Wi-Fi... Which one should I buy?

[pepemosca]

Hi! I don't know if this topic was already posted, but i can't find it... so:

I'm going to buy iPaq H545X and I also want to buy a Wireless USB port. The thing is, I don't know which one: BT or 802.11b?!?!

I'll need the wireless conection to have Internet Access (For Example: Web-Mail-Instant Messanger Services), file sharing (For Example: MP3 Playback) and Desktop Control (Something like Symantec PC-Anywhere)

So, I'll need some speed (not much, it's just a MP3 the faster bitrate that I'll need.

As you can see, I'm new on this wireless PPC world, so I need a lot of advices.

Thanks in for your future replys

[Ekkie Tepsupornchai]

Hi! I don't know if this topic was already posted, but i can't find it... so:

I'm going to buy iPaq H545X and I also want to buy a Wireless USB port. The thing is, I don't know which one: BT or 802.11b?!?!

I'll need the wireless conection to have Internet Access (For Example: Web-Mail-Instant Messanger Services), file sharing (For Example: MP3 Playback) and Desktop Control (Something like Symantec PC-Anywhere)

So, I'll need some speed (not much, it's just a MP3 the faster bitrate that I'll need.
You should check out the Wireless forums here and at Brighthand (http://www.brighthand.com). They discuss these things all the time.

With that being said, the two are both capable of helping to support internet surfing. If you want internet connectivity anytime/anywhere, then Bluetooth along with a Bluetooth-enabled phone can help you. If you are satisfied with Internet connectivity within your home and you have a desktop that connects, then 802.11b is the better choice, though you'll need both a 802.11b PC or CF card for your iPaq (as well as a CF or PC card iPaq sleeve to support the card) AND an 802.11b WAP (wireless access point) that plugs into your Ethernet hub at home. With 802.11b, you'll be able to stream video/music/etc to your PPC off your desktop and do any amount of file sharing that you like. Keep in mind also that with 802.11b, you'll have the ability to surf the web in areas that has a WAP available for you to use (Starbucks provides this service in some of the coffee shops).

Hope this helps.

[pepemosca]

Of course it help! THANKS!

I'll check on Brighthand.com

Thanks again

[marlof]

So, I'll need some speed (not much, it's just a MP3 the faster bitrate that I'll need.

I'm a big Bluetooth fan, but I find a little limited when it comes to wireless networking. Most of the available BT products have a more limited range than WiFi / 802.11b ( 10 meter against 100+). Next to that, BT in my experiences is a whole lot slower than WiFi / 802.11b. If you're going to do file transfers and wireless networking in your whole house, you're probably better of with a 802.11b Access Point. If you only want to connect without wires when you're near your desktop, Bluetooth might do the trick as well.

[pepemosca]

So, you are saying that 802.11b has better range than BT? That's a very good point (for me) of decision.
Also the speed issue.

Thanks for the information!

[Brad Adrian]

So, you are saying that 802.11b has better range than BT?
The range is MUCH different. Of course, it depends on your surroundings, too. If you live in a tradtionally-built, wood frame house, you shouldn't have any trouble getting 802.11b to work throughout your house and yard. However, if you've got more dense construction (heavy plaster or stone), the range may be very limited, and BT might not work except when very close to an access point or BT modem.

802.11b cards typically use a lot more power than BT, but that gap is closing with some of the newer cards, too.

[pepemosca]

So, i have made a decision, i'll buy a Wi-Fi port!

And does anyone recomend any USB Wi-Fi (802.11b) network adapter?

Has anyone experience with the Linksys WUSB11?

[Ekkie Tepsupornchai]

So, i have made a decision, i'll buy a Wi-Fi port!

And does anyone recomend any USB Wi-Fi (802.11b) network adapter?

Has anyone experience with the Linksys WUSB11?
Uhhh... I'm sure other people may say otherwise, but I haven't had a lot of good experiences with Linksys over the years. In terms of networking equipment, they are usually have the most presence at retailers and provide prices that are hard to beat, so if you do invest in one, I'd recommend you buy it from a place that will accept returns (probably a good policy with any brand considering this is new technology for you).

I have a D-Link USB WiFi receiver that works well (DWL120 I think it's called). It's been on the market for a while so the price shouldn't be too high.

[Janak Parekh]

Uhhh... I'm sure other people may say otherwise, but I haven't had a lot of good experiences with Linksys over the years.
Just for trivia's sake, the Linksys PC card is absolutely horrible, rangewise. Their other products are better. :)

--janak

[Ekkie Tepsupornchai]

So, you are saying that 802.11b has better range than BT?
The range is MUCH different. Of course, it depends on your surroundings, too. If you live in a tradtionally-built, wood frame house, you shouldn't have any trouble getting 802.11b to work throughout your house and yard. However, if you've got more dense construction (heavy plaster or stone), the range may be very limited, and BT might not work except when very close to an access point or BT modem.

802.11b cards typically use a lot more power than BT, but that gap is closing with some of the newer cards, too.
Pepemosca, try not to think of Bluetooth and 802.11b as competing standards... 802.11b to me is really just like having Ethernet connectivity without the need for CAT5 cables or a CAT5 jacks, while BlueTooth really a replacement for the use of serial cables to hook up devices... it's much like InfraRed technology with much better distance and without the same "line-of-sight" limitations of InfraRed.

Anything that you can normally do with Ethernet network connectivity, you can typically do with 802.11b, while anything you typically could do with IR or serial cables, you can do with BlueTooth. They are very complimentary technologies in my opinion.

[marlof]

Anything that you can normally do with Ethernet network connectivity, you can typically do with 802.11b, while anything you typically could do with IR or serial cables, you can do with BlueTooth. They are very complimentary technologies in my opinion.

Exactly! Bluetooth is Wireless PAN ( Personal Area Network ) where 802.11b is Wireless LAN ( Local Area Network ). Both technologies are great, but each serves a different purpose. With the release of wider range Bluetooth product that enable you to do networking tasks, this division became less clear, but in my experiences it is still valid.

As for Linksys: the PC Card is very bad, I've had far better experiences with their USB 802.11b stuff. I've been hearing very good things about Orinoco/Avaya 802.11b products. They seem to offer a very good range.

[pepemosca]

Great comparation ekkie. Now i'm sure that i have to buy a Wi-Fi insted a BT.

And thanks Janak Parekh for the advice about the Linksys PC card.

So, now that i know that i have to buy a Wi-Fi.... I'm looking for wich Wi-Fi PC Network Adapter.

I'm thinking about an USB N.A. or a Router with wireless capabilitys like the http://www.linksys.com/products/product.asp?grid=33&scid=35&prid=415, any comments?

[Ekkie Tepsupornchai]

I'm thinking about an USB N.A. or a Router with wireless capabilitys like the http://www.linksys.com/products/product.asp?grid=33&scid=35&prid=415, any comments?
Looks like the right kind of product if you're already set-up at home with Cable or DSL. Remember, you'll still need WiFi receivers for each system that you want to use wirelessly. For a PC that's located near the hub (and not likely to move around), it may not be necessary as a simple CAT5 cable connecting the PC directly to this hub/router would work fine (assuming your PC has an Ethernet card installed). However, for your PPC, you'll either want a WiFi CF Card or WiFi PC Card (make sure you have the right PPC sleeve to support the card). If you're looking to set-up a laptop wirelessly, then you also have the option of using a USB WiFi receiver.

[pepemosca]

ekkie, i already know that (about the needing of some NICs). Thanks anyway for the advice

I was asking about the quality of the Linksys router with wireless capabilitys

PS: Sorry for my terrible english!

[Ekkie Tepsupornchai]

ekkie, i already know that (about the needing of some NICs). Thanks anyway for the advice

I was asking about the quality of the Linksys router with wireless capabilitys

PS: Sorry for my terrible english!
No no... there's nothing wrong with your English at all (in fact, if English is your second language, you're pretty darn good at it)... I just didn't want make any assumptions on what you know / don't know.

You may want to do a search on that router within the various messaging boards and if you don't find someone who's used it, perhaps start a new thread with the name of the router in the title.

Good luck.

[pepemosca]

Thanks for the flatteries about my english.

I'll, I'll look in the forum this router model.

[bucho]

I've been using the Linksys WLAN/router for over a year and never had any problems with it... It's great if you have Cable/DSL connection, but it may be an overkill if you only have dial-up. In that case I would look for the WiFi only model - http://www.linksys.com/products/product.asp?grid=33&scid=35&prid=501

If you have larger space you want to cover without any in-house wiring, the WAP11 supports bridging multiple units (the router version does not).

Also, I use Orinoco silver PC cards with the Linksys WiFi router, including WEP and did not have any problems at all.

[pepemosca]

bucho, that's true, with a Dial Up connection, a router is a bit silly and expensive choice. But I have DSL so... is not that bad choice.

Oh, ekkie, i take your advice, and look all over the forum, and it seams to be a good wi-fi router.