Ok, this is going to be a dumb question. Mild flames will be tolerated. I'm putting it here because I'm a Teksavvy guy, and I couldn't see where else to put it (mods please move it if necessary).
My mom is loving the iPad and I want to buy her one. However, I have read a few articles with statement like this
If a user is getting an average speed of 1Mbit to 3Mbit/sec. to the home via a DSL or a cable modem connection and has a fast Wi-Fi router (theoretically, a router that could be 540Mbit/sec. with 802.11nm although much lower in reality), that will be fine for most iPad functions, analysts note.
The iPad is widely seen first as a multimedia device and an e-reader, among its other functions. Some users may notice problems with real-time streaming video over Wi-Fi, depending on the size of the video image and its resolution. This might present a problem for some video clips embedded in a New York Times story, for example, but would probably be no different than what users could expect from a small video clip via a typical laptop over Wi-Fi.»
cable-dsl-wireless.com/i ··· att.htmlThe second paragraph is the real concern for me. We have a DSL connection at my parents place through Teksavvy. Unfortunately Teksavvy cannot give us more than 1.45 mbps stable (there is no remote available). We are using a 2Wire modem/wireless router combo (AT & T branded I believe but I can check). I do not want to get the iPad for my Mom if she is going to have problems watching streaming content. The iPad doesn't have to be everything for her, but it does need to be a fully connected and functioning internet browsing device.
Frankly the above para is confusing to me since I was under the impression that WiFi is so much faster than a DSL connection to the net. Obviously I have some misunderstanding here.
Any comments about my particular hardware/ISP speed setup, or what it would take to run an iPad with optimal efficiency in a small home, would be appreciated. I am hoping that I can grab the Wifi-only iPad as my Mom will effectively never leave the house with it.