📎 AI Summary:
In this thread, Peterr asks whether using Wi-Fi instead of Ethernet would be more economical in terms of data usage. Neemobeer explains that both wired and wireless connections typically use similar data amounts, and Windows automatically manages which connection to prioritize based on network conditions. Overall, the discussion suggests there is no significant financial difference between the two connection types regarding data consumption.

Peterr

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Thread Author #1
Is it more economical to set my desktop to data or WIFI?
 

Solution
The main different is the physical media you're connecting with. Wired is generally going to be faster since there is no collision of data. Wireless has to avoid collisions with other devices, but newer wireless is designed for better handling of this issue.

You can have both enabled. The connections will automatically be assigned a metric and which ever has the lower metric will be used. Windows determines the metric based on network equipment characteristics.

Peterr

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Thread Author #3
I use an ethernet connection now from pc to router; Wi-Fi is off.

I was asking if Wi-Fi w/o ethernet be more economical but I sense have determined it would be the same so I leave ethernet on and WI-FI off.

Is this correct that data usage would be the same?

Obviously, my knowledge of networking is very rudimentary that is why my first question was phrased the way it is..
 

Neemobeer

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The main different is the physical media you're connecting with. Wired is generally going to be faster since there is no collision of data. Wireless has to avoid collisions with other devices, but newer wireless is designed for better handling of this issue.

You can have both enabled. The connections will automatically be assigned a metric and which ever has the lower metric will be used. Windows determines the metric based on network equipment characteristics.
 

Solution

Peterr

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Thread Author #5
So there is no better choice financially? Both use equal data. Thank you​