802.11n 5 GHz in laptops?

[AndyKH]

Hi

I'm considering getting an ASUS U, UX or UL series laptop. At the same time I'm seriously considering getting a netgear simultaneous dual band 802.11n router (can't recall the model number) as the 2.4 GHz band is VERY crowded where I live.
However I'm having a really hard time finding out which laptops support 802.11n at 5 GHz. This is not just for the mentioned ASUS laptops: When reading up on laptops from other brands, I also find it almost impossible ot unearth which bands are supported - it just says 802.11b/g/n.


Do any of you know if 5GHz n is supported in any significant number of laptops (especially the ASUS 2010 models) or if the general trend in 2010 is just to not include 5 GHz?

Thanks in advance

 

[CurseTheSky]

I believe that the 5 GHz channel is used by 802.11 a/n, while the 2.4 GHz channel is used by b/g/n. So, if the wireless card supports 802.11 a/b/g/n, you should be all set, but if it only supports b/g/n, you will probably be stuck with 2.4 GHz.

For what it's worth, I have a dual band router, and my laptop is usually about 15-20 feet away with a wall between the rooms. The 2.4 GHz channel usually has a full signal bars, but the 5 GHz channel only has about half the total signal bars. All of the phones in the house are DECT (1.9 GHz) and there aren't any other electronic devices between this room and the one with the router, so I think it's just the 5 GHz channel has more trouble penetrating walls. Again, just something to consider.

 

[AndyKH]

I believe that the 5 GHz channel is used by 802.11 a/n, while the 2.4 GHz channel is used by b/g/n. So, if the wireless card supports 802.11 a/b/g/n, you should be all set, but if it only supports b/g/n, you will probably be stuck with 2.4 GHz.

For what it's worth, I have a dual band router, and my laptop is usually about 15-20 feet away with a wall between the rooms. The 2.4 GHz channel usually has a full signal bars, but the 5 GHz channel only has about half the total signal bars. All of the phones in the house are DECT (1.9 GHz) and there aren't any other electronic devices between this room and the one with the router, so I think it's just the 5 GHz channel has more trouble penetrating walls. Again, just something to consider.

Thanks

I realize that the higher frequency makes it harder to penetrate walls and other obstacles, but I have read other people stating that they get significantly better range (and speed) from their 5 GHz 802.11n network than a 802.11g one.
Your argument that notebooks that support 802.11a will also support 802.11n@5 GHz is reasonable. However I think I recall reading some people saying that it wasn't the case in their situation (something about different versions of a Atheros card wifi card).

I guess there is nothing else to do else than calling customer service.

 

[papaschtroumpf]

yeah, disappointed in sites like newegg where they dont insist vendors post whether 802.11n is supported at 5Ghz or not (it's pretty useless otherwise, g gets you better results).

 

[Headcase_Fargone]

The biggest boon to using the 5ghz band is lack of interference from other networks. I don't know about anyone else, but the 2.4ghz spectrum is a damn mess in my apartment complex. There's literally not a single (overlapping or not) channel without two access points on it. Some of which are close enough to cause problems.

 

[alkemyst]

I have access to 5Ghz and 2.4Ghz...my signal strength is crap with 5GHz even in the same large room.

Most simply don't know how to tweak their 2.4 connection than truly have an oversaturated area.

I have been getting requests from customers to switch over to the 'better and faster 5G network'.