Networking Questions and Answers - How to get more speed out of a wireless connection

Joyce writes in with a networking question
Question: I just purchased and installed a D-link Dir 615 N router and Nano USB adapter to use with my 6 year old Toshiba Satellite M45, 1600 MHz laptop. The most I am getting is 54mbps. I have tried disabling the built in Intel Pro wireless 2200BG network connection, but nothing has changed. Is there anything else to try to get better wireless speed or is this the best I can expect with the age and speed of my laptop? Thank you.

Answer: 54 Mbps is the typical speed for wireless connections between a router and computer and is the most you can get. It will still be much faster than your internet connection will be. Typical DSL speeds are 5-20 Mbps and typical cable speeds are 10-30 Mbps. So your 54 Mbps speed is still well above your internet speed so you don't have to worry about having any type of slowdown online. If you transfer files between computers using your wireless then it will be slower than if you used an Ethernet cable at 100 or 1000 Mbps but for most people it will be fine unless you are transferring huge files or a lot of data.

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