Are LAN sockets still up-to-date? WLAN/wireless is the future!

We will do both and are thus flexible. But I am also tech-savvy. The average consumer doesn’t really think about such topics and then places an AllInOne router in the house or apartment. That can also be sufficient, depending on the circumstances and requirements. It’s not just black and white, there are also intermediate steps... what one ultimately does and invests is up to each individual. The inexperienced user might think that Wifi is enough nowadays. But that is not always the case. An experienced user can decide what/where makes sense for them. That’s why I don’t like this general statement "only Wifi."

we are probably not that far apart. But Wi-Fi is not my conclusion either. At easily foreseeable spots, like the TV in the living room, you should install a socket nowadays. But spending money to cover every planned usage concept (child, guest, office whatever) with LAN sockets in every room is, in my opinion, unnecessary. Rather reduce the number of sockets and really consider what/if you will need them in the end. And use the money saved to set up a proper WLAN...

I could rearrange the children's room so often that I should install 4 (Duplex) outlets... If I then also plan to possibly use (one of the) children's rooms as an office with a guest combo, then good night for the planning...

I installed 3 outlets in the children's rooms, one in every possible corner where the desk or TV could be. The same applies to the TV connection. These things aren’t expensive enough to warrant much thought.

We currently use only WLAN in our apartment and I would not do it that way again. The router is on the ground floor, most devices are used on the upper floor. Despite the access point, the connection quality is sometimes very inconsistent – especially when the FireTV is streaming. In addition, there are irregular connection interruptions and typically the printer drops out of the WLAN when you need it. We no longer want to have that in our house.

Therefore, every stationary device will get a duplex socket, and possibly two double sockets will be installed behind the TV. The additional costs are manageable, especially for do-it-yourselfers, and at least in the important rooms you have the option to connect a cable to the stationary devices.

With us, bungalow, all on one level, router from T-com this smartbox centrally in the middle of the house, good WiFi everywhere including the terrace. Also sufficient for the TV. So, you have to see what you build. I don't need network sockets.

In the rooms, I find it very complex to find the right spots.

you act as if there were no cables. what do you do with the TV when you move it? you lay an extension cord for the power. what prevents you from laying a network cable right next to it? looks crappy? but the power cable does too... everything that is stationary gets a cable. it is exactly the opposite of your analysis. the time of WiFi is over. the data volumes are getting more and more intense, current phones film in 4k 60fps, and can play back >HD. the trend on Netflix clearly goes towards 4k and even crappy movies are in 4k. at some point there will be VR movies with two times 4K, or interactive stuff. or 8k. PC games are now usually only downloads, sometimes >100GB, updates often >20GB. stationary devices with plugs that are on WiFi steal bandwidth from devices without plugs that MUST be on WiFi.

Conclusion: if you’re serious about outlets, then you would have to equip all spots where a desk or TV could possibly come with at least duplex outlets. That already adds up to a considerable number of dusty and not exactly pretty outlets. I claim instead that investing in a proper WiFi (good access points via LAN PoE etc.) is more sensible nowadays for the average Joe consumer.

I claim your argumentation is far-fetched. Power sockets are just as ugly as LAN outlets. and the majority of power sockets also get dusty, I even have some that I can’t reach at all because of furniture in front of them. I claim that you will regret this within 10 years at the latest, and I claim that your kids will - at least temporarily - hate you for your stinginess. 10 double outlets cost, if expensive, 2000€, 50€ for the cabinet, 50€ for the patch panel, 100€ for the switch. 2200€ for something you can’t retrofit. I believe you’ve already burned more money in your life on less useful things.