Wireless vs. Wired

• Although wireless connections can be more convenient than wired connections, they are not usually faster. According to computing news website OS News, "wireless has an inherent bandwidth limitation." When you use wireless Internet, you have to send the signal through an intermediary. The router has to get the signal and then distribute the signal to your computer. With a wired connection, the signal simply goes through the cable and directly to your computer. The signal is not slowed down or reduced at all.
  
  

Wireless Network Users

• If you are using a wireless network for your laptop, factors such as the number of users on the network can impact connection speed. If several devices are connected to that Wi-Fi simultaneously, it will slow the Internet connection on your laptop.
  
  

Technology

• The type of wireless technology the router represents also affects your Internet speed. Different routers meet different specifications. For example, some routers use a 802.11b specification, while others use 802.11a. 802.11g and 802.11n are also available for routers. The most advanced technology of these is the 802.11n specification, which provides the most speed for those using wireless Internet connections on a laptop.
  
  

Ethernet Cable

• If you are only concerned with speed, and convenience is not an issue, using an Ethernet cable to connect your laptop to the Internet provides optimum speed. Ethernet is designed to handle the greatest bandwidth of the available technologies. Ethernet may not be convenient when you are using a laptop, as you will not be able to move around the area without dealing with a cable. Using a cable when you need speed and going wireless when you need convenience may be the best solution.