Ask the Experts: I've seen ads for new Wi-Fi routers that say they are "Pre-N" and many times faster than regular Wi-Fi. Should I upgrade?

Answer: Belkin's brand-new Wireless Pre-N Router ($159) is the first to be based on Airgo Network's True MIMO. MIMO technology, which increases 802.11 range and throughput by using multi-path radio transmission, is one of the possible solutions being considered for the coming 802.11n standard. 802.11n will be the next generation of Wi-Fi performance standards beyond 802.11g, and promises speeds about six times faster, plus much better range.

While Airgo's solution, as well as similar chipsets from other vendors, will let you take immediate advantage of higher speeds and better coverage (Airgo claims 8 times the range of standard Wi-Fi routers), it's dangerous to buy a product that may or may not be compatible with the final standard once it is ratified in late 2006, a full two years from now. Plus you'll pay twice as much for the router and client cards as for regular G routers.

Our best advice is to only buy or upgrade to a Pre-N router if you truly need the performance (for frequently copying large files between computers, or playing lots of streaming media files). Pre-N can also be useful in a large house with lots of dead spots that would otherwise require additional access points. Other users will do just fine with a less-expensive 802.11g router.

Another hybrid product that has just shipped is NetGear's Got a Wi-Fi question you'd like answered here? Send it to us using our newsletter feedback form. We'll select the most interesting questions for this space. Please note that personal answers cannot be given.