[bibbo118]

Hi ... I'm seriously consiidering buying the new iMac G5 20" computer but I have a question. I want to keep my Windows PC that has a Linskys wireless router (using 802.11b) with a cable connection (Optimum Online). I was wondering if there is any way I can use this router to wirelessly connect to the iMac G5 and share the Internet connection.

If not, is there any way to share that Internet connection between my Windows XP PC and the iMac?

Thanks!

[grinder]

Airport uses the same technology, and Apple is always bragging that the Macs work with any router, so it should work. But I'm no expert, just a little switcher newbie who happened to remember something.

[G5man]

Yes the mac works with any router, I am using my mini on my netgear router and suggest you get a netgear or upgrade to Wireless G. Where is the cable modem plugged into? Is it plugged into the router or the computer?

[psk-ele]

I agree with G5man.

Your current router has a maximum wireless speed of 11Mbps. The 802.11G standard has a maximum data rate of 54Mbps. Most routers have b/g wireless standard capability built-in, so you can keep using your PC (I am assuming you need to keep the 802.11b capability) and use your new iMac. You'll notice a big difference if you upgrade the router (on the iMac).

Also, you have the ability to create a wireless network with the iMac if its already connected to the internet. I haven't used that feature, maybe someone else could better explain how that feature works.

[harrisjamieh]

You will not need the extra speed of wireless G if you a) are not planning on sharing files over the wireless, or b) have an internet connection with speeds slower than 11 mbps, as having 54 mpbs wireless would not speed up the internet. Also, as far as I know (correct me someone if i am wrong) wireless b has a sustained rate of 11mpbs, meaning no matter how far away from the router you are (so long as you are in range), you will get 11 mpbs speed, however on wireless G this can drop to 1mbps as you move further away (I only 'know' this from experience as my windows PC has a wireless reception of 'very low' but is using wireless B and still has speed of 11mbps)

[bibbo118]

Thanks for all the responses guys! The reason I need to keep the 802.11b connection is that I use my Compaq Windows XP laptop (centrino processor) wirelessly off that router. It's a couple years old ... when the 802.11b first came out (before the "g" and everything else). So it doesn't have the "g" capability. I have to say though, even at 11mbps, it's still blazing fast.

The main reason I'm thinking of buying the G5 is because I do a lot of work in Photoshop and I want a computer dedicated to "just" that application...without all the games and other apps I have on my PC. Any book I read or person I talk to all say Mac's are better for Photoshop than Windows PC's. However, if I'm going to spend close to 2 grand (with the 1 gig memory upgrade I plan on adding), I want the Internet connection to be able to get updates for, and register, Photoshop. Also, I have 4 ipods so I guess it would be cool to have iTunes on the iMac.

[harrisjamieh]

But if you did decide to upgrade to G, your b laptop would still work as G is backwards compatible with b.

[Will C]

I thought if you mixed b and g wirelessly you only will get the 11Mbps maximum even on the g connection???

[ghporter]

Originally Posted by Will C

I thought if you mixed b and g wirelessly you only will get the 11Mbps maximum even on the g connection???

Only with the first crop of G routers. Current models do just fine with managing two speeds at once. Unfortunately not all B clients support WPA, so sometimes you need to move your computers up to G... Mac B clients (original AirPort cards) do support WPA, so you can still secure your network properly, even with older equipment in the computers.

But.... This thread is all about networking, NOT specifically about iMacs, so I'm moving it to the Networking forum.

[bibbo118]

Excellent info so far! Thanks guys!

So my next question is ... I buy the iMac G5, get it home, set it up. What's the next step? How do I get the Internet connection to work wirelessly off the router on my Windows XP PC? (I'm REALLY a newbie at this). I'm not familiar with Mac's in general ... no less the AirPort card. Is it similar to the way I set up my Centrino laptop where I clicked on the "look for available networks" link and put in the computer name and WEP keys? Or is it more involve?

Thanks!

[brokenjago]

When you first set up and turn on your Mac, Mac OS X should do everything automatically for you, and only ask you for a WEP key after it detects that the networks is closed. After you're done with setup, just open Safari (or, on second thought, Software Update), and blaze away!

[bibbo118]

Thanks for the response! Sounds great. Can I also use AOL on my new iMac?

[ghporter]

Originally Posted by bibbo118

Thanks for the response! Sounds great. Can I also use AOL on my new iMac?

Yes. But why? Is AOL's content that interesting, and unavailable from anywhere else? If you're using Optimum Online, you can get ANYTHING there is FAST FAST FAST! Why bother with AOL except for mail and maybe chat?

I'm not bashing AOL; it has its place for a lot of people. But with the kind of Internet connection you have, don't limit yourself to it.

[bibbo118]

Originally Posted by ghporter

Yes. But why? Is AOL's content that interesting, and unavailable from anywhere else? If you're using Optimum Online, you can get ANYTHING there is FAST FAST FAST! Why bother with AOL except for mail and maybe chat?

I'm not bashing AOL; it has its place for a lot of people. But with the kind of Internet connection you have, don't limit yourself to it.

Ya know, now that you mentioned it gh ... I really don't need to load AOL on the new Mac. I never really thought about it till you just mentioned it ... but I don't use AOL for anything but surfing the same sites I can go to without it. I use the e-mail sparingly and there are much better chatrooms and forums outside of AOL. And even if I need to check in on my e-mail, there's AOL.com now.

Thanks!

[bibbo118]

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