Apple & PC wireless on Airport?

Potentially interesting discussion
here

Thanks Derek,

I'm definitely a newbie on wireless internet access (and on Apple). Was I wrong thinking that an Airport Express or Extreme functions as a router? If I was wrong: can you have wireless internet access for both a PC and a Powerbook through any (non-Apple) router? And: if so, what is the advantage you get from an Airport Express or Extreme, on top of the router?

Martijn

Martijn - I am perhaps 30 seconds ahead of you in WiFi setup - currently I have a wired ADSL Router connected to a PC and two Apples I am in the process of determining how to add a wireless access point to my router so that the Apple PowerBook and any visiting laptops can connect. The Apple Airport Express has been reccomended on the ADSLGuide message board as well as a Linksys WAP54G to be added to the existing ADSL Router.

Looking at the Apple Shop web site the feedback on the Airport Express was a bit worrying regarding signal strength.

If you are starting from scratch - ie no router or ADSL Model I would suggest that you get an ADSL Router with WiFi - this one box will connect your machines.

However take what I say as the voice of a beginner in this area. The ADSLGUIDE message board is quite helpful. I assume you are in The Netherlands, does you ADSL supplier offer any ADSL WiFi Routers as part of their offerings.

If you can hide it away (it's an ugly bugger) I've installed quite a few of these for Mac users (OK with PCs too of course)

Linksys WRT54G-UK wireless-G Broadband Router .

It's £50 or less and has a better range than the Airport.

Having said that, I have an Airport 'cause I'm a fashion victim!



Regards

Stephen

Stephen

Disregarding price and fashion issues - are there any advantages to the Apple Airport Express device compared to the Linksys devices.

Derek, Stephen,

I have broadband and my provider does sell a wireless router (Goldline Waveline APS 54).

But I'm still interested in the Airport Extreme. Does it function as as router ánd a wireless access point at the same time? If it does I might be able to just plug it into the wall. (A the moment I don't have a modem, don't ask me why. I guess I'm on an ethernet network. And that's what I do now to get internet acces: plugging my desktop into the wall ).

I also had the impression you can plug a printer into the Airport, which both laptops can use.

And I read it's possible to plug an external antenna into the Airport Extreme, to improve its range.

But then there's the initial question again: will the Dell Inspiron respond to the Airport as well?

Martijn

quote:

Originally posted by Martijn NL:
Derek, Stephen,

But I'm still interested in the Airport Extreme. Does it function as as router ánd a wireless access point at the same time?

Yes. It has 4 ethernet sockets, a connection to the broadband modem and a USB printer output.

quote:

If it does I might be able to just plug it into the wall. (A the moment I don't have a modem, don't ask me why. I guess I'm on an ethernet network. And that's what I do now to get internet acces: plugging my desktop into the wall ).

Where are you? In a flat with on-stream broadband?

quote:

I also had the impression you can plug a printer into the Airport, which both laptops can use.

Yes it can. A Mac can use it. I assume a PC can too!

quote:

And I read it's possible to plug an external antenna into the Airport Extreme, to improve its range.

It is. I've never used one though. Go to the disussions at http://www.apple.com and ask there.

quote:

But then there's the initial question again: will the Dell Inspiron respond to the Airport as well?

Martijn

Yes. A PC can use a Mac wireless access point. Just be careful when setting up any password encryption. Try at first with none.

Regards

Stephen

quote:

Originally posted by Stephen Bennett:
Where are you? In a flat with on-stream broadband?

Something like that, yes

Thanks for answering all these questions. In the meantime I've decided NOT to buy a Powerbook G4... but to wait a few months for the new Powerbooks with Intel on board, and then go wireless as well.

Martijn

quote:

Originally posted by Martijn NL:

In the meantime I've decided NOT to buy a Powerbook G4... but to wait a few months for the new Powerbooks with Intel on board, and then go wireless as well.

Martijn

You brave man. I'll be waiting till revision 2 at least!



Stephen

quote:

Originally posted by Stephen Bennett:

You brave man. I'll be waiting till revision 2 at least!

Why so?

Martijn

quote:

Originally posted by Martijn NL:

quote:

Originally posted by Stephen Bennett:

You brave man. I'll be waiting till revision 2 at least!

Why so?

Martijn

I don't see the move to Intel as a trivial task! I'll probably have more problems than you though (legacy hardware and software compatibilities etc.) I never go for Rev 1 Macs. Apple usually update every 6 months or so anyhow - but then I have a 12" PB and G5 already so it's not so crucial for me.

I'd be astonished if the change was without problems.

regards

Stephen

Well, with regard to soft- and peripheral hardware, I'll start from scratch.

I just got interested in Apple recently. I don't know very much about the history of its products. I don't know anything about problems related to first releases of their hard- and software. Main reasons for waiting for the Intel driven notebooks is price (they're said to be a few hundreds cheaper; I like the current 15'' Powerbook, but it's really too expensive, especially if you consider extra (excessive) costs of the Protection Plan and Microsoft Office software) and compatibility of new pheripheral hardware.

I wonder if there's any chance whether the price of the current Powerbooks is lowered because of the new ones coming soon. Are there any precedents of this in Apple's history?

Martijn

Martijn, Apple never discount!

Usually they off load their stock to other companies, who because the profit margin is so tight don't discount either.

My advice would be when you need or want to purchase a mc, purchase a mac. Don't concern yourself over intel chips. The first to have them will be iBooks, the chances of powerbooks having them in the next year is slim.

As for the airport. Its just fancy noises for standard wireless g networking, as long as your wireless devices are modern you should be fine.

Finally yes powerbooks are expensive. However you are considering what is not included, what about what is? Built in wireless, bluetooth, plenty of USB, Firewire, DVD burner, iMOvie, iDVD, Mail, Browsing, iPhoto, Garageband (Music creation) etc etc etc.

The design and build of the powerbook is really second too none, nothing comes close except perhaps the latest sony Vios, but thats down to a taste thing (And very similar prices as it goes)

quote:

Originally posted by Martijn NL:
Main reasons for waiting for the Intel driven notebooks is price (they're said to be a few hundreds cheaper;

I very much doubt this. Apple is a value aded product. Just because it has Intel chips inside wont make it cheaper. Expect prices to be the same or very slightly lower. But no PowerBooks for £600 I'm afraid. However, they will be much more powerful. This is how Apple usually does things. Of course, I could be wrong but why should Apple compete with box shifters?

Can you get educational discount?

Regards

Stephen

Garyi,

I get your point. I'm prepared to pay some extra buck for quality.

Can one do without a Protection Plan? In other words: what are the chances that such a thoroughly build notebook does not need repair in its first three years (considering it will be treated very gently)? What's Apple's track record on that one?

Stephen - I read somewhere they might lower prices because of competition with Wintel notebooks, which are becoming cheaper al the time.

Martijn

quote:

Originally posted by Martijn NL:
Garyi,

Can one do without a Protection Plan? In other words: what are the chances that such a thoroughly build notebook does not need repair in its first three years (considering it will be treated very gently)? What's Apple's track record on that one?

Martijn

Never had a protection plan on any of my Macs. My 12" is 2 years old with no problems and I carry it everywhere.

One crap thing is that Apple may not build 12" Intel PowerBooks - only iBooks.

Stephen

The Intel Pentium-M processors and surrounding bits and bobs are actually pretty good and fairly stable. What'll be interesting is what sort of options Apple choose to use as I expect they'll have a lot more processor options to choose from than they do currently. If they wanted to bring out a £600 laptop then they should be able to do so and still make money even with decent build quality - it's just a matter deciding if that's an area they want to play in.

Users of those sort of laptops tend not to be too interested in games etc. so it could be a sensible strategy to pitch entry level products at them.

quote:

Originally posted by Martijn NL:


Stephen - I read somewhere they might lower prices because of competition with Wintel notebooks, which are becoming cheaper al the time.

Martijn

As I said, I'd be surprised. Apple aren't/can't competing with Wintels. Usually Apple are more into bang per buck upgrades.

But I'm not Steve jobs, so what do I know?

I wouldn't hold my breath though.

Regards

Stephen

quote:

Originally posted by Martijn NL:
Can one do without a Protection Plan? In other words: what are the chances that such a thoroughly build notebook does not need repair in its first three years (considering it will be treated very gently)? What's Apple's track record on that one?

By their nature laptops are more prone to problems than desktops so it is sensible to have warranty cover in place for as long as practical.

I should have said I like to live dangerously.

Stephen

quote:

Originally posted by Stephen Bennett:
As I said, I'd be surprised. Apple aren't/can't competing with Wintels. Usually Apple are more into bang per buck upgrades.

Once they're using the Intel platform I can't see any good business reason not to attack the lower end of the laptop market as it's a significant market sector both in size and strategically. The Mac mini thing could also be an indication that is somewhere they want to play.

I would have said a few years ago that Apple would not play in the cheaper end yet here we are with ipod nanos and the like extreamly well priced.

£139 for a colour display 2 gig device is a really good price as is the shuffles at 60 odd quid. Plus of course the apple minis again well priced.

With that in mind, why should apple not have a stab at heavy compitition in all levels of the mobile computing areana? They have a good product and are probably aware that they will probably not be able to compete in the desktop computer area so well.

Of course, Apple already have low price computers. They are called iBooks and Mac Minis. I just don't see them bringing PowerBooks and intel based 'G5's down to the same prices. It makes sense for Apple to compete with a high quality product. If they start chasing box movers they'll never compete. With respect, an iPod isn't a computer. But even here, Apple make a relativly expensive value added product.

Regards

Stephen

Apple have a significant advantage in the way that they control both the hardware and the software. I would be surprised if they will deviate from exercising close control over the hardware when they use Intel processors.

Intel use does not imply that that the Intel-ised OSX will run on the general publics generic Intel based machine

quote:

Originally posted by Derek Wright:


Intel use does not imply that that the Intel-ised OSX will run on the general publics generic Intel based machine

Apple have already said that they will prevent OSX from running on a 'bog standard' windows PC. However, being able to run Windows on a Mac should be possible.

Regards

Stephen