I am planning on setting up a wireless home network to connect to an
existing DSL modem. I have two laptops to connect to the wireless home
network, a clamshell iBook running MacOS 9.1 and a Dell Inspiron running
Windows XP Home. High speed is not a requirement, so 802.11b only is OK.

Rather than an expensive airport, I am thinking of buying an inexpensive
generic brand wireless access port. So the first question is: Which generic
brand of wireless access port is the most compatible with my iBook?

Do I have to buy the wireless card for my iBook from Apple?

TIA ... Pete

In article <MLqDb.10772$Ve.952382@news20.bellglobal.com>,
"PeteCasso" <petecasso@sympatico.ca> wrote:

> Do I have to buy the wireless card for my iBook from Apple?

Yes. The slot is a special size that only the Airport can fit.

Since you don't need the "Airport Extreme" (802.11g) card, you should be
able to find a 802.11b Airport card fairly cheap. Check indie mac
dealers and ebay.
--
Cheers,
_Chas_
http://www.apple.com/switch
non-spammers can write to chasm at mac (dot com)

In article <MLqDb.10772$Ve.952382@news20.bellglobal.com>,
"PeteCasso" <petecasso@sympatico.ca> wrote:

> I am planning on setting up a wireless home network to connect to an
> existing DSL modem. I have two laptops to connect to the wireless home
> network, a clamshell iBook running MacOS 9.1 and a Dell Inspiron running
> Windows XP Home. High speed is not a requirement, so 802.11b only is OK.
>
> Rather than an expensive airport, I am thinking of buying an inexpensive
> generic brand wireless access port. So the first question is: Which generic
> brand of wireless access port is the most compatible with my iBook?
>
> Do I have to buy the wireless card for my iBook from Apple?
>
> TIA ... Pete
>
>

When you say Wireless Access Port, are you asking what to stick in your
clamshell iBook, or what to attach to the DSL Modem so that you can
share the network? Or both?

For the iBook you will need a Apple Airport Card (the 802.11b version).
You should be able to find it fairly inexpensive if you shop around (not
as cheep as a PC 802.11b card, but cheaper than what Apple would charge
you). Try searching http://dealmac.com or eBay.

You will also need a Cable/DSL 802.11b router to attache to your DSL
Modem. D-Link, Linksys, Netgear, SMC, etc... Search http://dealmac.com
and you should be able to find some inexpensive 802.11b Cable/DSL
802.11b routers. Of course, you could also use an Apple Airport base
station, but as you have said, it is more expensive.

You want a Cable/DSL Router because you need it to share the DSL line.
It will also provide you with firewall services.

Bob Harris

In any event, I am incorrect. However, I still have a point.


Kind Regards,
Nathaniel
--
flikWORLD Design
reply to: nat at flikworld(dot)com


in article harris-9F52E5.21135821122003@cacnews.cac.cpqcorp.net, Bob Harris
at harris@zk3.dec.com wrote on 12/21/03 6:13 PM:

> In article <MLqDb.10772$Ve.952382@news20.bellglobal.com>,
> "PeteCasso" <petecasso@sympatico.ca> wrote:
>
>> I am planning on setting up a wireless home network to connect to an
>> existing DSL modem. I have two laptops to connect to the wireless home
>> network, a clamshell iBook running MacOS 9.1 and a Dell Inspiron running
>> Windows XP Home. High speed is not a requirement, so 802.11b only is OK.
>>
>> Rather than an expensive airport, I am thinking of buying an inexpensive
>> generic brand wireless access port. So the first question is: Which generic
>> brand of wireless access port is the most compatible with my iBook?
>>
>> Do I have to buy the wireless card for my iBook from Apple?
>>
>> TIA ... Pete
>>
>>
>
> When you say Wireless Access Port, are you asking what to stick in your
> clamshell iBook, or what to attach to the DSL Modem so that you can
> share the network? Or both?
>
> For the iBook you will need a Apple Airport Card (the 802.11b version).
> You should be able to find it fairly inexpensive if you shop around (not
> as cheep as a PC 802.11b card, but cheaper than what Apple would charge
> you). Try searching http://dealmac.com or eBay.
>
> You will also need a Cable/DSL 802.11b router to attache to your DSL
> Modem. D-Link, Linksys, Netgear, SMC, etc... Search http://dealmac.com
> and you should be able to find some inexpensive 802.11b Cable/DSL
> 802.11b routers. Of course, you could also use an Apple Airport base
> station, but as you have said, it is more expensive.
>
> You want a Cable/DSL Router because you need it to share the DSL line.
> It will also provide you with firewall services.
>
> Bob Harris