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fastback · May 9, 2004, 09:50 PM

Ok, I'm not so sure about how I'm going to get online wirelessly when I get an iBook, what should I get?

I'm planning on trying to share the same internet connection as another PC in my house, can I use any network card or does it HAVE to be a Airport extreme card, and will I HAVE to by the expensive Airport Extreme Base Station? Can I not just buy any cheap router? I'm not that into the speed's I'll be getting, I'm just asking for some help.

d4nth3m4n · May 9, 2004, 10:09 PM

any wireless router will work. whether you have AP extreme or the old fashioned kind.

fastback · May 9, 2004, 10:40 PM

But do I have to buy the Airport Extreme Card for the iBook itself? Or will any Card do?

d4nth3m4n · May 9, 2004, 10:53 PM

Originally posted by fastback:
But do I have to buy the Airport Extreme Card for the iBook itself? Or will any Card do?

you have to go through apple for that one. AFAIK, ibooks do not have a viable pci slot to put one in.

if you have a g3 ibook- AP, for a g4 ibook- AP extreme.

but for the base, anything goes. if you have a g4 and a 802.11g router, you should hit 54mbps. as far as all the other permutations of setup go- if you have 802.11b on either end, then you will me limited by that and kept at 11mbps.

did that cover all the bases?

fastback · May 9, 2004, 11:20 PM

So I can buyAirport Extreme Card and Linksys Router, they will work?

rixter55 · May 9, 2004, 11:22 PM

Originally posted by fastback:
Ok, I'm not so sure about how I'm going to get online wirelessly when I get an iBook, what should I get?

I'm planning on trying to share the same internet connection as another PC in my house, can I use any network card or does it HAVE to be a Airport extreme card, and will I HAVE to by the expensive Airport Extreme Base Station? Can I not just buy any cheap router? I'm not that into the speed's I'll be getting, I'm just asking for some help.

You will need an Airport card if your using a G3 iBook, or an Airport Extreme card if you've got a G4. Any Wi-fi base station will work with these, to the best of my knowledge.

enjoy!

fastback · May 10, 2004, 12:32 AM

Thanks to everyone who helped me with that.

nJm · May 10, 2004, 12:41 AM

Yup, I'm using my G4 iBook on a Netgear 'g' wireless router, so it is actually fairly quick for file sharing.

I've heard that Linksys routers can be a bit iffy though. People tend to recommend D-Link. While I'm really happy with my Netgear, I've been told it doesn't offer the same security features as the D-Link.

To install an Airport /Extreme card in your iBook you lift up the keyboard, and plug it into the slot underneath. All you have to do is clip it in and connect the little cable for the antenna.

nredman · May 11, 2004, 11:04 AM

i love my airport extreme, and my wife also uses the connection with her dell laptop.

selowitch · May 11, 2004, 04:41 PM

I'm extremely happy with my Belkin 54g Router and Access Point, which provide excellent coverage in my apartment.

fastback · May 11, 2004, 05:30 PM

Originally posted by nJm:
Yup, I'm using my G4 iBook on a Netgear 'g' wireless router, so it is actually fairly quick for file sharing.

I've heard that Linksys routers can be a bit iffy though. People tend to recommend D-Link. While I'm really happy with my Netgear, I've been told it doesn't offer the same security features as the D-Link.

To install an Airport /Extreme card in your iBook you lift up the keyboard, and plug it into the slot underneath. All you have to do is clip it in and connect the little cable for the antenna.

How about's would I go lifting it without actually breaking the keyboard?

ccsccs7 · May 11, 2004, 07:07 PM

These instructions apply to the white G3-based iBooks, but explains how to take off the keyboard and here are instructions dealing with the iBook G4 (PDFs).

SFZoll · May 11, 2004, 09:15 PM

I've been using my iBook with an SMC wireless router (B, not G because I got it before G was readily available) and have had no problems accessing the Internet, sharing files with the PC and printing to two printers connected to the PC. I've also used it on the road and connected in hotels and airports. The only other possibility for wireless networking would be a USB wireless card, and what's the point? You have to carry that around, plug it in, etc. In the end, the Airport Card is so much easier, and it is easy to install with Apple's guides.

Maseeh · May 11, 2004, 09:55 PM

Do not buy a linksys

They have a lot of issues

I get disconnected from my own network, Especially when i get a phone call or make a phone call.

I can not setup a passoword or else it will just disconnect me from my own netowork, And the same goes for changing the SSID.

Hopefully my belkin gets here soon