Airport

[dplank]

I purchased an iBook (base model) in December. I want to go wireless. Which Airport should I or can I use: the original Airport or Airport Extreme and which card do I need?

[sluggo]

I recently went wireless with a Wallstreet. You can probably save a chunk of money if you go with non Apple stuff. As long as the driver for the wireless card is compatible with your OS and your card and base station are of the same standard (generally 802.11) you should be OK.
I went with a Farallon WaveLan PC card and a D Link base station and it works great. About $60 for the card at Small Dog and $99 for a new in the box base station from ebay.
Some cards don't come with Mac drivers, but you can find what you need for free at sourceforge.com - In fact I used Apple's Airport driver with the card on OS 9.2 and SourceForge's free driver with Jag.
Good luck!
 
 [ 03-21-2003, 11:42 AM: Message edited by: sluggo ]

[giantmike]

Unfortunately, with the ibook, one doesn't have a PC card slot, meaning an Airport card is your only choice. However, you can get any brand of 802.11b base station (wireless router) you wish.

That said, you cannot get airport extremem, as that needs yet another special slot (only available in new powerbooks). You'll have to go for normal airport.

For me, I have an Apple Airport card in my iBook, and am using an SMC 7004WABR wireless router and it works great. I have also connected to a friend d-link wireless router without problems.

[Mayo]

You are going to LOVE Airport with your iBook!  No more being tied-down to a desk or room.

I use a Linksys wireless gateway, but I do not recommend Linksys only because the company does not support Mac users.  Of course, this fact is not noted anywhere in Linksys ads or on the router box so that potential buyers who own Macs can make an informed choice.

I have found it quite aggravating to call Linksys for help, only to have the first words out of the tech's mouth be "We don't offer support for Macintosh users."  End of discussion.  This happened to me again just the other day.

I personally see no point in supporting a hardware vendor that has this kind of attitude toward their Mac customers.

[chuckwagen]

I got a Netgear MR314 wireless router for $74. That's $25 cheaper than the Airport cards we needed for the two iBooks! The Netgear setup info is Mac friendly. Check the wireless router reviews in Macworld. Wait until you set up printer sharing and print wireless from your iBook- now that's neat!

[Mayo]

Printer sharing is a good feature to bring-up...The Linksys doesn't support printer sharing on Macs.

[swhitset]

Mayo...

I are you talking about the wireless linksys routers?

I use USB printer sharing through my 4 port Linksys wired router all the time.  It works flawlessly.  I don't mean to sound critical, but I have seen you blast the linksys routers several times for not supporting Macs.  In theory, I agree with you about a company supporting macs.  However, in practice I wonder just what kind of support you need?  My linksys BEFSR41 router has worked without a hitch since I plugged it in over a year ago.  It's true that all the documentation applies to PC's, but it is not difficult to apply the Mac equivalents.

No offense is intended, I just don't want people to shy away from picking up a linksys at their local Best Buy etc... since it is one of the most common and easiest to find.  Incidentally, I heard on TECH TV yesterday that Cisco systems has just aquired Linksys... don't know how that will affect things in the future?

Steve

[dolphin]

I have a D-Link DI-614+ wireless router hooked to Beige G3 and it has performed admirably!  Easy install and drivers are included on the disc.

My 2¢

[Mayo]

I am referring to the Linksys BEFW11S4 and it is my understanding that it does not allow printer sharing with Macs via AppleTalk; I should have been clearer regarding this.

As far as my opinion regarding Linksys Macintosh support, there are times when support that goes beyond the Linksys router would be helpful, particularly for people who are beginners.

Some problems have to do with settings within the operating system, so what is someone to do if they are trouble-shooting a networking glitch and the line is crossed between the router settings and the computer that is attempting to interact with the router?

If you are Mac-owner working with a Linksys tech support person, you get the non-support recitation, unless you luck into someone who knows and cares enough to help with the Mac side of things.

I don't think that Mac support is too much to ask, especially since not everybody has knowledge of and therefore access to online help such as we have at TS.  And sometimes a person cannot get the answer at TS either.

I believe that it is reasonable to expect Linksys to have a couple of Mac-proficient tech support people available, and since they do not, I think it is information that might be important to a potential buyer.  Once a person knows the score, then they can make their own decision.
 
 [ 03-22-2003, 12:14 AM: Message edited by: Mayo ]

[LR827]

This string answered some of my yet-to-be-asked questions about iBook, which I am likely to purchase.  

But in light of the recent OT discussions on the forum, I want to compliment swhitset and Mayo for such a helpful and polite exchange.  Those were just the kinds of courteous exchanges that we should all emulate, when there are differences of opinion.

RDQ:

from Dolphin:

quote:I have a D-Link DI-614+ wireless router hooked to Beige G3 and it has performed admirably! Easy install and drivers are included on the disc.

I don't get this -- I have a beige G3 -- what is the purpose of a wireless router on a tower?  I know I've missed something here...

Also, the iBook comes "Airport Ready" but you have to buy the card -- is the router another piece of eqpt, or does that come with the card, by any chance?  Thanks!
 
 [ 03-22-2003, 11:02 PM: Message edited by: LR827 ]

[dolphin]

Lorraine ,It is part of my wireless network. I have a PC (oh NO), laptop that my son gave me, which has a DWL-650+ Cardbus adapter (same as an Airport card) in it. I'd love to have a new Powerbook! My ex-wife had a PC upstairs which I put a DWL-120 wireless USB adapter on. This way...I could be sitting in the living room with my laptop and be on the net...and she could be upstairs on the net on her computer.  My Biege G3 with the router could also be used at the same time. Of course with 3 computers using the same broadband connection...things would be quite slow since the bandwidth would be trisected. It is a very nice setup...and very easy to install.

[LR827]

Thanks!  (I think).  I show my ignorance in this area, while at the same time, have to remember why I am a member of TS!  As kelly has reminded me many a time, There are no stupid questions here! -- even though I keep trying to prove him wrong!  

Okay, well, I will probably spring for a new iBook, because it will give me the iMovie software plus Appleworks ability to convert MS Word documents easily.  Those are the two features I need.  I need video input and would also like to move the iBook around the house.

So I need an Airport card and a router, correct?  We do not have broadband (yet) still on dial-up, but that is not a big deal at this point.

Thanks for all your assistance.  Let me know if I need anything else, okay?
 
 [ 03-24-2003, 03:38 PM: Message edited by: LR827 ]

[Mayo]

Since you asked, I think you need this:

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detai...=glance&s=books