Quick question

kzelk4kzelk4
Posted:
in Genius Bar edited January 2014
Hi I just had a couple quick questions that may be kind of "nooby". What exactly does the express card slot do on the macbook pros? And how is it possible to connect to the internet through an airport express? Can you connect anywhere? Does it have a fee? thanks.

Comments

  • Reply 1 of 6
    chuckerchucker Posts: 5,089member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by Kzelk4


    Hi I just had a couple quick questions that may be kind of "nooby". What exactly does the express card slot do on the macbook pros?



    ExpressCard is an external expansion slot, so you can use it to add features (in forms of cards) to your MacBook Pro, in a similar way many desktop computers have PCI slots.



    Quote:

    And how is it possible to connect to the internet through an airport express? Can you connect anywhere? Does it have a fee? thanks.



    AirPort Express is an implementation of WiFi, i.e. wireless LAN. Some companies offer public hotspots where you can connect. E.g., Starbucks Wireless.
  • Reply 2 of 6
    kzelk4kzelk4 Posts: 100member
    So in order to use the wifi, you would have to have the Airport Express plugged into an outlet somewhere in the store? And what type of features can Express Cards add?
  • Reply 3 of 6
    kzelk4kzelk4 Posts: 100member
    Anyone know
  • Reply 4 of 6
    gwoodpeckergwoodpecker Posts: 367member
    With an Express Card slot you can add things to your computer like:

    - additional USB and FireWire ports (http://www.cooldrives.com/uscoexca.html)

    - 5-in-1 memory card reader (http://www.welovemacs.com/pcme51.html)

    - CompactFlash memory adapter(http://www.dpreview.com/news/0609/06...resscardcf.asp)

    - Gigabit Ethernet or eSATA drive connectors (http://www.addonics.com/products/pcmcia/)

    - GSM "modem" cards for internet access via the mobile phone network



    Concerning the wireless network access: the MacBook Pro has an internal AirPort Extreme antenna which picks up the wireless signal sent out by a wireless access point (AirPort Extreme BaseStation or AirPort Express or any other wireless router or access point - e.g. in a coffeshop like starbucks). A AirPort Express/Extreme Base Stations is needed when you don't already have a wireless network installed at home. When you're on the road, you only need the MacBook Pro because it will pick up the signal from any public wireless hotspot.



    (To make you a bit more confused: if you were in a hotel that features internet access via ethernet ports in each room, you could still use the AirPort Express base station to create a wireless networt to your MacBook Pro - although you could simply connect an Ethernet cable to the wall socket to have access to the internet.)



    see http://www.apple.com/airportexpress/



    Costs: at home, you need a regular internet connection (via cable or ADSL) that costs a monthly fee. On the road, with some public hotspots you get access to the internet for free, in some places you have to pay (usually one hour of access costs so and so much).



    Hope this answered all your questions.
  • Reply 5 of 6
    regreg Posts: 832member
    Airport Express is best explained on this link. You need to already have internet access with either an ethernet connection or wireless network already set up to use the express for access. Benefits of the express are streaming music to your stereo. Expanding the range of your current wireless network. Making your hotels internet connection wireless, most hotels have gone wireless so this is not as big of an advantage as it use to be.



    As for the Express Card , I have only seen people use it for wireless modems and smartcard readers.
  • Reply 6 of 6
    kzelk4kzelk4 Posts: 100member
    Makes more sense now, thanks.
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