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mauimac · Jul 18, 2004, 02:43 AM

Hi, I am finally ready to set up a wireless network now that I got DSL and a D-Link DI-624 router...but my Macs are the older 2001 G3 iBook and G4 Quicksilver...I just started looking into this whole thing and have some questions...

-how do I know if my iBook and G4 are "airport ready?"
-Is the airport card (802.11b M7600LL/E) all I'd need, or is an adapter of some sort necessary?
-where is the best/cheapest place to find the old cards now that they have been discontinued? Places like CDW, MacMall, MacConnection, OtherWorld Computing don't have them...is eBay the only option or does anyone know of a reseller that still has them? (I need two!)
-On eBay some have a CD listed as included with the card...is it necessary or can I get whatever is on that CD from the Apple site like some other listings suggest?
-How easy/difficult is it to install the airport card oneself?

Thanks in advance!!

Sod Off Sadr · Jul 18, 2004, 10:58 AM

you can look on www.everymac.com for comprehensive info on your Macs' capabilities and configurations.

Or Apple's support site, which also has info on upgrading and installing new hardware for iBooks and PowerMacs.

It's not hard to install airport cards. Just make sure you have the right tools. Often computers have small, particular screws that require a specialised tool.

sbjordal · Jul 26, 2004, 09:04 PM

Originally posted by mauimac:
Hi, I am finally ready to set up a wireless network now that I got DSL and a D-Link DI-624 router...but my Macs are the older 2001 G3 iBook and G4 Quicksilver...I just started looking into this whole thing and have some questions...

-how do I know if my iBook and G4 are "airport ready?"
-Is the airport card (802.11b M7600LL/E) all I'd need, or is an adapter of some sort necessary?
-where is the best/cheapest place to find the old cards now that they have been discontinued? Places like CDW, MacMall, MacConnection, OtherWorld Computing don't have them...is eBay the only option or does anyone know of a reseller that still has them? (I need two!)
-On eBay some have a CD listed as included with the card...is it necessary or can I get whatever is on that CD from the Apple site like some other listings suggest?
-How easy/difficult is it to install the airport card oneself?

Thanks in advance!!

1. All ibooks and G4s are airport ready.
2. No adapter is needed. The G4 should have a slot/metal bracket all ready for you, as well as a cable for the antenna.
The ibook is also ready. All you need to do is to lift up the keyboard, unscrew the metal bracket and slide the airport card into the slot to the left (above the PC-card slot)
3. ebay.
4. Forget about the cd. all that airport software is prob. outdated and rolled into the OS X updates or as standalone installers.
5. Very easy. unscrew two screws on the ibook. the g4 does not require any tools.

-Q- · Jul 27, 2004, 03:37 PM

You can get a refurb at MacResQ, but they're charging $100 for it. Your best bet for an affordable one may be eBay.

turtle777 · Jul 27, 2004, 04:38 PM

Originally posted by -Q-:
Your best bet for an affordable one may be eBay.

Yep. I bought all my Airport cards on eBay.
Even bought them in the US and resold them in Germany...

-t

AKcrab · Jul 29, 2004, 10:13 PM

Are there any third party airport cards? (Non extreme version)
I just bought an Airport express, but I'm screwed without a card for my computer.

Anders · Jul 30, 2004, 04:29 AM

And related to this, would 802.11g pci cards work in G4 as a client on a Airport Express network? For streaming to the base as well. I have a Extreme card in my iBook so configuring would not be a problem.