Does an old laptop using XP get fair share of wi-fi

XP has problems handling data that newer OSs don't.

If your network card is from the XP days, it's probably on the way out. They're not made to last forever, so what you're seeing is probably happening.

Run speed tests to see if your feeling is correct. Newer hardware is just more efficient.

You might want to rethink your upgrade. If you want bug free, get Windows 7. It's about the best recent release of Windows that doesn't leave you completely frustrated.

Slow PC with Old Configuration and OS will be frustrating and security hazardous

Security is the main issue with WiFi and Hotspots these days

at least upgrade to windows 7 because you will get regular security updates

The speed at which you use internet will depend on OS, system config. and your network speed

No security expect these days will recommend you to stick with win xp and use it with WiFi etc

There is no problem in the XP to use the WI-FI. If your computer is slow, you will get slow connection also,but you will be able to use the WI-FI. There is no doubt about it.

What networking standard does your internal wifi card... or external wifi USB device using? If i'm correct, i believe the fastest and best wifi standard for the past 5 years has been 802.11ac. Also, how close to the access point/wireless router are you when you get online?

Wifi networks have no way of detecting your hardware. Since it is unlikely that all dozen wifi networks have gotten slower, the problem is likely with your computer.

- Disable all browser plugins and see if that helps. Better yet, do a clean install of a browser you don't have yet and see how that performs. Try Opera or Yandex.

- Check your wifi card's connection strength. It may have gotten "optimized" and turned down. I think you right click the Network icon on your desktop and then properties and it's in there somewhere. You'll have to look that up.

- Perhaps your XP laptop dates to the B protocol. You could disable that and connect through a wireless N USB stick instead and see if that helps.

- Changes in web development trends may be to blame. There's a lot of javascript and video out there nowadays and it's putting a heavy load on old computers during page load time. You should still be fine with any dual core as long as you aren't doing other CPU hungry things at the same time. But if this is a Pentium 4 laptop then I think you're really pushing it. RAM is another potential issue. If you haven't already, max out your laptop. Given the age, it'll be really cheap on eBay.

I suggest moving away from XP anyway. It's old and no longer really supported. A new laptop may be in order soon. If you get one this fall, you should be able to get one with Windows 10 preinstalled.

I suggest getting a windows 7 PC

Yeah, MOST standards, to the best of my knowledge, allow the FULL bandwidth of their capability to the standard. Some even EXCEED it! There ARE several standards that are available now, but I believe ALL allow for the lower standards. The fastest ones ARE supposed to be FAR faster than the slowest, but they tend to degrade faster as you move away from the hub. Eventually, the standards THEMSELVES degrade such that the outer limits of some of the faster ones may run as fast as some of the slowest ones.

If you buy a new computer for THAT, you may be sorely dissappointed. THAT SAID, going through USB 1.0, or using a bad antenna(generally NOT easy to find out since they tend to be integrated), or using a slow PC, like an old 808x or atom, may degrade the performance of even the BEST hardware.

Steve