Wireless - Airport vs Competiton

jeagenjeagen
Posted:
in Current Mac Hardware edited January 2014
I'm looking at installing wireless in my house with two main objectives:



1.) Connection for my Powerbook

2.) Connecting my son's XBox



I'm looking for recommendations and what anyone else has put together with success. I'm also wondering what advantages are there in using the Apple Airport versus a NetGear type wireless solution. There also is the question of mixing a NetGear access point on the Xbox upstairs and the Apple Airport downstairs - Can this be done and would there be any advantages.



Appreciate any advice or help........Thanks

Comments

  • Reply 1 of 7
    g-newsg-news Posts: 1,107member
    as long as the basestation supports 801.11b or whatever it's called wireless ethernet, it doesn't matter whether it's from apple or not.

    it's the features such as built-in modem and 128bit encryption etc etc that differentiates the airport basestation from competitors products. It's also a lot more expensive for some odd reason.

    Note that afaik you will have to attach the Xbox directly to the basestation, unless you find a RJ-45 to WLAN adaptor somewhere, which I doubt is worth getting.
  • Reply 2 of 7
    keshkesh Posts: 621member
    It's 802.11b, the wireless standard that practically everyone uses. Including Apple.



    Yes, you'd want to plug the XBox straight into the base station. Unless there's some wireless option, I don't know...



    Your cable/DSL modem plugs into the WAN port (ethernet in), and the X-Box would go into the LAN port (ethernet out) on the Base Station. Your Mac could then connect wirelessly, and they both would share your connection.



    Other manufacturers have more affordable solutions, but they tend to be more difficult to configure. your mac has all the software ready to go, and a setup utility for walking you through the configuration.
  • Reply 3 of 7
    posterboyposterboy Posts: 147member
    The ABS is more expensive because of the modem. An external hardware modem (as opposed to a winmodem that uses the CPU) runs for around 150$ CDN. The difference between an ABS and a wireless router has always been just over 150$ CDN, until just recently when the competitors products prices all decided to go through the floor.



    --PB
  • Reply 4 of 7
    eugeneeugene Posts: 8,254member
    The Linksys Wireless Ethernet Bridge (WET11) acts like a wireless card that doesn't need drivers...because it connects via ethernet. It does require initial set-up in Windows though.



    It's a bit cheaper than most access points and perfect for the XBox.
  • Reply 5 of 7
    composercomposer Posts: 212member
    I've been using the Netgear wireless router and PCMCIA card on a Compaq laptop. I have n't been happy with it. It seems overly suceptable to interference. I have found the the Airport Base Station to be a little better. It handles interference better. I just can't seem to afford one.
  • Reply 6 of 7
    longsunnydaylongsunnyday Posts: 7member
    Why can't i use my D-Link wireless network card (DWL-650+) on my powerbook. I just switched to mac from pc and thats why i own that card. Do i have to use Apple AirPort (11Mbps). Could i get special drivers somewhere. D-Link only supports windows an shit.



    A guy from sweden who wants answers
  • Reply 7 of 7
    chipchenchipchen Posts: 3member
    As far as I know.. DLink doesn't provide Mac drivers/support.



    If your PowerBook doesn't pick it up.. I'd say sell the card.. and get either an airport card or a PCMCIA card that supports macs. I've heard ORINOCO as a good brand for Mac users.



    (BTW, email me if you wanna sell that DLink card.. I think I might know someone who needs one)
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