Welcome to the MacNN Forums.

Sage · May 10, 2003, 02:05 PM

I'm planning on getting AirPort for my iBook (Nov. '02). Obviously, I will need to use the older card to put into my iBook, but which base station should I get?

I only need it for the Internet... I don't need to network with any other computers in the house. I'm on dialup.

The $199 AirPort without Modem and Antennae seems to me that it would only be for computer-computer networking, but on Apple's site, it says that it can be used with dialup.

So, can I buy this lower model, or do I need the $249 AirPort that comes with a modem?

jtbowden · May 10, 2003, 06:11 PM

Where did you see this on the web page? If anything i would imagine they mean that you can dial-up using one computer and then share the connection, using internet sharing in the Sharing Pref Pane, over the wireless network. Just a guess though.

Capt Shane · May 10, 2003, 09:11 PM

the 2 port ethernet base station is for broadband and then connecting to wireless or cabled networks, unless you have a modem that has an ethernet jack on it, it is not really useful to you. THe one with the built in modem is what you need. You might consider trying to find an old graphite basestation on ebay or at your local store (if for some reason compusa still has them which i doubt but i did see one last week at an old apple store here in town) i bet you could get one for 70 bucks. Unless that is you need the extream for your new macs. Let me know what you thik I will be hanging around here :-)

Sage · May 11, 2003, 02:05 PM

Thanks guys.

Looks like I could do with a graphite base station, but the thought just occurred to me that the Extreme's inclusion of a USB port might be worth it... I only have two ports on my iBook, and unplugging my external keyboard/mouse is annoying.

Also, while the only other Mac in the house is an aging beige G3 that my parents use, it might be worth it to invest in Extreme for the sake of future compatibility, right?

*sigh*, being a Mac lover ain't cheap.

I'm 15 years old and still don't work yet, so I have to be careful with what I buy. I would've gladly dived into this AirPort business long ago if it weren't for the fact that I also need some spare change to buy Panther when it comes out.