text: is ad hoc mode fast? is it a good idea to use ad hoc mode to access internet over wireless? is it somtehing old or slow?  i only have two computers and i want to connect them using ad hoc mode. the simple answer:  ad hoc networks and infrastructure networks run at the same speed.  the complex answer:  the speed of 802.11b wireless is rated at 11mbps.  the speed of a t1 internet connection is 1.4mbps.  any way you slice it, your wireless is going to be substantially faster than your internet connection.  for ease of use and for security, i'd go to the store and buy a $40 wireless router and let it do the ip addressing work and the bridging work for you.  if you choose to manage it yourself, it's bound to cause you a headache and downtime someday.  keep in mind, that a wireless client will automatically down-clock it's speed when the reception degrades.  also, all clients in a wireless network *must* run at the same speed.  therefore, if one client down-clocks the speed, all the clients begin "talking" that slowly as well.