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hondo · Feb 15, 2003, 09:26 AM

I have been putting off getting an Airport Basestation because I did not have a laptop at home. Well, I received a new 1 ghz Powerbook from work with the 802.11b compatable card. So, I began shopping for a basestation and saw that Smalldog Electronics has the old basestation for $129. I was wondering if there is any reason to get the newer version since I won't be able to take advantage of the extreme speeds.

Thanks for the advise,
Steve

all2ofme · Feb 15, 2003, 09:42 AM

There are three (and a half

) models of base station:

1) Graphite. 802.11b, 11Mbps, internal modem.
2) Snow. 802.11b, 11Mbps, internal modem, LAN port.
3) Extreme. 802.11g, 54/11Mbps. LAN port, USB printer port.
3.5) As for #3, but with an internal modem and a connector for an external aerial.

I have a TiBook and bought 3.5 since I knew that for $50 I could solve any reception problems by spending a bit more money on an aerial. So far I haven't needed to, but I'm glad I did.

The one that Smalldog have for $129 is #1. Nothing wrong with it if you don't need:

- the LAN port (this means you can't connect other non-wireless machines to the base station)
- the faster speeds of the Extreme models
- the printer port

Maybe someone else can add something, but I think that's it.

Ben

Peter · Feb 15, 2003, 09:58 AM

Remember there are other variations of wireless base stations out there ... some are cheaper. I personally would go for //2 (cant do hash)

hondo · Feb 15, 2003, 10:23 AM

I didn't realize that there were so many variations of the basestation. I really haven't had any reason to research it since I didn't need one. Now, however, I really would like to have the ability to use the Powerbook with the wirless connection.

I already use a 4 port router for my internet connection so I don't need the LAN port ability right now. I guess it comes down to future needs, compatability, and speed and is it worth $100 to have it. I think it probably is so I'll just have to cough up the extra cash. What's a hundred bucks anyway....

aaanorton · Feb 15, 2003, 10:43 AM

You could simply replace your router with something like this or this.
The only reason I can see to get an ABS is if you want the USB printer port on the new Extreme models. This is a cool feature.

hondo · Feb 15, 2003, 12:42 PM

Has any one tried either of these. I seem to remember someone on Screen Savers saying that they used a Netgear wireless router with their Mac. I was just windering, for wireless, do these have a significant disadvantage to an ABS? If not, the netgear is selling for $69 at Amazon.com

dreilly1 · Feb 15, 2003, 12:43 PM

I have a graphite ABS. They do, in fact, have an ethernet port. But only one.

The Snow and Extreme base stations have two ethernet ports, so you can use the base station as a cable modem/DSL router that can connect multiple computers (wired and wireless) to the same address.

Also, some very early model Graphite base stations (including mine) had a design flaw where the power supply capacitors were undersized and would burn out. I know Apple fixed this, and I imagine any Graphite ABS's still on sale have had that flaw corrected. But you should ask, anyway, I think.

Peter · Feb 15, 2003, 01:20 PM

everyone probley knows this but. To get the netgear wireless router to share adsl you need to buy an ethernet modem and they're kinda expensive. Most people probley knew this, just to be sure - it caught me out

hondo · Feb 15, 2003, 01:29 PM

No, like I said, this is all new ground for me. I've never had a need for wireless and only now have decided to take advantage of it. I do think that I will just go ahead and get the newest model with the network printing option, which is nice. I could always sell my router on ebay. I know it's not worth a whole lot eventhough it's not very old.

aaanorton · Feb 15, 2003, 01:59 PM

Originally posted by PeterClark2002:
everyone probley knows this but. To get the netgear wireless router to share adsl you need to buy an ethernet modem and they're kinda expensive. Most people probley knew this, just to be sure - it caught me out

Well any DSL network needs a DSL modem. This is not just for Netgear routers. Airport base stations need a DSL or cable modem as well. Here in the States, though, these are generally provided for free by the ISP.
hondo-
If you already have DSL or cable (which it sounds like you do), you would not need to buy a new modem.
I use an Asante wireless router (the FR3004, which is more expensive than the 1004 I linked to, but the 1004 wasn't available when I bought this) and have had absolutely zero problems with it in the past 2-3 years. It even bridges AppleTalk. I've read good things about the Netgears as well.
For a whole lot more info on this and related subjects, check out the Networking forum.

hondo · Feb 15, 2003, 02:19 PM

I had a brain freeze and was confused by the adsl and yes my cable provider does provide the cable modem with my Roadrunner service. So you're saying that you think the $69 netgear would be fine for surfing the web on the powerbook? If so, it might be a viable option just to see how much I use it. I'll always have my desktop for everything else. Also, thanks for the info I will try to learn all I can in the forum that you referred to.

Peter · Feb 15, 2003, 02:36 PM

wow you guys are lucky!
In the UK if your ISP does give you a modem its a crappy one. So you then have to pay not to have a modem. I am going to have to pay �120 to get wireless adsl...damn I hate 'rip off Britain'

hondo - it depends if you want to link computers via cable or if you want more than one connection or ... etc

hondo · Feb 15, 2003, 02:47 PM

All I want to do is share my connection with two computers. One, my desktop, hooked by cable and the other, the powerbook, through the wireless connection. I read this thread in the Network forum:

http://forums.macnn.com/showthread.p...hreadid=133722

and I guess it's down to either the netgear MR814 or the FriendlyNet FR1004AL. I just can't figure out which one. I am leaning towards th FriendlyNet just based on aaanorton's recomendation eventhough it is a little more expensive. Anybody else have a suggestion. If not, I'll click buy now...

andycroll · Feb 16, 2003, 07:21 AM

Originally posted by PeterClark2002:
wow you guys are lucky!
In the UK if your ISP does give you a modem its a crappy one. So you then have to pay not to have a modem. I am going to have to pay �120 to get wireless adsl...damn I hate 'rip off Britain'
hondo - it depends if you want to link computers via cable or if you want more than one connection or ... etc

Try pipex.net as they can offer merely connection and you can then choose your own modem.

See the forums at www.adslguide.co.uk

andy

Peter · Feb 16, 2003, 07:44 AM

Originally posted by andycroll:
Try pipex.net as they can offer merely connection and you can then choose your own modem.

See the forums at www.adslguide.co.uk

andy

too late. I ordered my wireless router last night ~ �120, that includes wireless set up, modem, router, splitter and a wireless card. it can also be used with 802.11g, if I buy a new PCMIA card for it.

aaanorton · Feb 16, 2003, 11:09 AM

Originally posted by PeterClark2002:
too late. I ordered my wireless router last night ~ �120, that includes wireless set up, modem, router, splitter and a wireless card. it can also be used with 802.11g, if I buy a new PCMIA card for it.

A lot of these package deals include USB modems, which at best are a pain in the azz, and often just don't work on Macs. Make sure you're getting an ethernet modem. If not, cancel the order and shop some more. You'll save yourself a lot of headaches.

suprz · Feb 16, 2003, 05:49 PM

i have question about apple base stations and airport cards, how are they with a dial up 56k connection?