This is probably another dumb question, but I can't figure it out. If I have an Apple wireless modem, do I need an airport express card to run it on a 17" powerbook?
How do I know if my powerbook has a built in airport wireless or not? It seems to have bluetooth btw....
Comments
Originally posted by Justin
...Apple wireless modem....
What is that ???
If you mean an Airport, that is different from a modem. In the case of Airport, new pBooks come with it standard, an older pBook may not have an airport card installed ... system profiler can tell you. (And you DO need airport in the pBook to connect to a wireless access point.)
Originally posted by Justin
How do I know if my powerbook has a built in airport wireless or not? It seems to have bluetooth btw....
System Preferences -> Network -> under "Show", choose "Network Port Configurations". If you have an Airport card, "Airport" will be in the list.
The apple wireless modem thing I have looks like a flattened cone. It's got airport something in its name. I'll have to open it and check but I did ask the shop keeper and he told me it was a wireless modem base unit for Apples..
I've read what you've written twice, and I'm almost understanding it.
Such a long way to go
Originally posted by Justin
So what is the wireless airport card used for then??
You connect the base station (the thing that looks like a cone) to whatever internet source that you have (cable modem, DSL modem, or phone line).
The Airport card in the PowerBook will communicate wirelessly with the Base Station, and the Base Station communicates with the outside world (internet). If you only have a phone line (no cable modem or DSL modem), then the Base Station will dial the phone thru the phone line. That is why the guy called it a "modem" - it is a modem, but a regular modem for the telephone line, not a DSL or cable (broadband) modem.
Originally posted by lundy
...not a DSL or cable (broadband) modem.
Which isn't really a modem at all
The data comes across the line in digital format, so ther is no "modulation/demodulation" thaat is infered by the term "modem".
Take no offense, people... a little education never hurt anybody
Oh.
So I didn't need to buy the conical modem - I could've just got one of the airport conical bases?
I'm thinking it made sense all along except I didn't know what to call anything - everyone is expressing it more accurately than I am.
that conical thing = Airport base station including modem
that card in your computer = Airport network card to connect base station
modem = thing to call outside world, included in your base station
Take no offense, people... a little education never hurt anybody
No offense taken! I know that, you know that, but if you don't call it a "cable modem", what else are you going to call it?? Heh heh.
Oh.
So I didn't need to buy the conical modem - I could've just got one of the airport conical bases?
There is only one - the Airport Base Station. It comes with a modem inside whether you need it or not. You bought the right thing.
I guess what I need to know is, I need to replace my current WAP and I have a cable "modem", would the Express base station be all I need or would I have to have the Extreme.
BTW- I want 802.11g
Thanks
poor guy!
Originally posted by Project2501
Both use same 802.11g standard so in that there is no difference, in your case Ap Express should be enough, Extreme provides modem and external antenna port.