What is this?

[RyanTH98]

Hey I don't really know anything about networking, but the moment I told one of my family members I ran my desktop off wireless he laughed and said I should get this:http://www.amazon.com/TP-LINK-TL-PA4010KIT-Powerline-Adapter-Starter/dp/B00AWRUICG/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1381812491&sr=8-1&keywords=powerline+network+adapter

 

Can someone simply explain to me what it is and what it does? And why supposedly wireless is so bad for a desktop? I have 15 Mb internet and I start lagging when my sibling is listen to pandora and im trying to play league of Legends with like 250+ms of ping. So would you think this would help me with the lag problems?

 

This is currently what I have for a wireless card in my desktop:

[megadarkwood]

Probably. It is just like wired.

[Spannerhands]

The plugs work, but they use the earth ground system in the house, so depending on age and condition and any products that leak interface into the earth, speed is not not always good.

[guyfromnebraska]

It uses the power lines in the walls to deliver internet. It's like running an ethernet cable but easier. If you have problems with your wireless give it a go.

[Xsilent(X)]

it is a repeater it takes the wifi frome your router sends it through the power line and saves you allot of reduction of speed from the wifi router. but keep in mind the power lines have to be in the same loop.

[SkilledRebuilds]

Speedtesting

 

Wireless ping to local server 30ms

Powerline adapter pingto local server 15ms

Hardwired ethernet cable ping to local server 15ms

 

Gaming

Wireless to local server- 75ms

Powerline adapter to local svr -36ms

Ethernet cable hardwired to local svr - 35ms

 

Overseas Gaming (WoW - USA server)

Wireless - 284ms

Powerline - 232ms

ethernet cable - 233ms

 

Transferring files over network pc to pc

Wireless (avg of 3-9mb/s,..up to 10mb/s)

Powerline (avg 7.5mb/s, tops @ 9mb/s)

Ethernet (avg 60-100mb/s, tops 102mb/s)

 

Powerline adapters vary in speeds, I've seen 150mbps models, also 300/500mbps models...