"Not sure why anyone would need ethernet with fast 802.11n speeds, but if you are an old timer, you can easily add ethernet to any MacBook Air for $20. Backups and everything else is plenty fast over wireless, it's just the old "cable people" haven't kept up with modern wireless. 802.11n is just as fast as 100mbps cabled ethernet. So what is the problem? You have slow wireless network that's all... quit living in the past..."
Hmmm, I'll take the bait on this.
1. Wi-fi is shit when compared to ethernet for things that count - speed, reliability etc
2. Encryption on it has been problematic - WEP is crap WPA a little better and WPA2 not universally standard until more recently.
3. 802.11<b/g/n> broadcasts in the free-for-all section of the spectrum occupied by cordless phones, microwave ovens etc and, in my experience, is highly prone to interference and connection drop-outs if it even gives the range in a solid built dwelling.
4. "802.11n is just as fast as 100mbps cabled ethernet" which is utter gash when you've been using gigabit ethernet for the last 5+ years and can make the most out of your storage device's speed. HD streams a lot better too.
5. "it's just the old "cable people" haven't kept up with modern wireless" - not really, some of us just recognise the latest fanboi fad and prefer to stick with tried, tested and un-hijacked sonny.
In it's defence it's more convenient than cable, but then cheap credit was convenient until the housing market blew up as a result.
Register
@Ted
"Not sure why anyone would need ethernet with fast 802.11n speeds, but if you are an old timer, you can easily add ethernet to any MacBook Air for $20. Backups and everything else is plenty fast over wireless, it's just the old "cable people" haven't kept up with modern wireless. 802.11n is just as fast as 100mbps cabled ethernet. So what is the problem? You have slow wireless network that's all... quit living in the past..."
Hmmm, I'll take the bait on this.
1. Wi-fi is shit when compared to ethernet for things that count - speed, reliability etc
2. Encryption on it has been problematic - WEP is crap WPA a little better and WPA2 not universally standard until more recently.
3. 802.11<b/g/n> broadcasts in the free-for-all section of the spectrum occupied by cordless phones, microwave ovens etc and, in my experience, is highly prone to interference and connection drop-outs if it even gives the range in a solid built dwelling.
4. "802.11n is just as fast as 100mbps cabled ethernet" which is utter gash when you've been using gigabit ethernet for the last 5+ years and can make the most out of your storage device's speed. HD streams a lot better too.
5. "it's just the old "cable people" haven't kept up with modern wireless" - not really, some of us just recognise the latest fanboi fad and prefer to stick with tried, tested and un-hijacked sonny.
In it's defence it's more convenient than cable, but then cheap credit was convenient until the housing market blew up as a result.