AirPort Express connected to a Windows LAN already with a wireless router

Question

My apologies if this is out there, I can't seem to find this answer....
I have a curent LAN with several Windows based PCs. There is a wireless router that is used by the Windows laptops.
My iPad works ok (not great) on this network but I am looking at putting in an AirPort in the main room in my house where the iPad is used. My hope is that this will improve performance.
two questions:
1) will this make a difference in wireless connectivity (speed/performance )?
2) can this model work- Airport in a current wireless environment.

Answer 1

Wireless bandwidth and speed fall off as the distance increases between the source producing the wireless network and the device receiving it. Any obstructions in the signal path will slow the wireless much more than distance alone.
You haven't told us anything about the construction type of your home or the number of obstructions like walls or ceilings in the signal path. If you have a line-of-sight relationship between the main router and your iPads, then you will likely see little difference in performance compared to having a device producing a wireless network in the same room as the iPads.
If you consider that a "typical" wall of sheetrock and 2x4 construction in a home will on average, absorb about 15-20% of the signal...and you have 3-4 walls in the signal path, or a ceiling (which is thicker than a wall) and few walls, I think you already have your answer about whether it would be wise to locate the AirPort Express in the same room or close to the area where the iPads will normally be used.
Message was edited by: Bob Timmons