wifi on a 4Mb broadband question

[AllYourBase]

I am moving my computer into a newly constructed extension to my house. At the moment, I have telewest boradband 4Mb internet, and telewest quote me �75 for an engineer to come and relocate the point where the cable comes ito the house.

I also have a wireless network (54G) that I use to enable my laptop anywhere in the house. I have seen USB dongles and expansion cards that convert desktop PCs into wirelss computers, but I worry that this would mean my desktop communcates with the internet more slowly than at present.

Put simply, is my direct, wired broadband faster than what I get through my wifi (ie is the wifi at 54G the rate limiting step)?

Does anywone have an idea of whether this �75 is worth it, when these adaptors seem to be less than �20?

[fo3nix]

Well your broadband definitely won't be at 54mbps (more like 4mbps) -- so from that perspective the wifi will be more than adequate.

however, that's assuming a perfect wifi connection. Other factors, like distance, walls, and interference (from your cordless phone, for example) will cause slowdown of the connection.

I'd suggest you move your laptop to where your PC is. If it consistently runs at the same speed you expect your wired PC to, then your PC should be fine in wireless mode too.

Here are some examples for you:
http://www.ebuyer.com/UK/product/45622
http://www.ebuyer.com/customer/products/index. html?rb=22936378436&action=c2hvd19wcm9kdWN0X3J ldmlld3M=&product_uid=107691

If you're confident about fitting the PCI card inside your computer (there's not really anything to it), then I'd suggest that over the USB adapter.

[AllYourBase]

Thanks
Seems obvious now, that 54 should be faster than 4, but then that's the beauty of the site- I get an answer that does not make me feel stupid. I think I can manage a PCI card.
Cheers