Wanna go wireless, PC/Mac question

[MikeyT]

Right, just about ready to buy the imac g5 - now if I want to go wireless at home what do I need - the mac comes with the Air Extreme already in so that shouldn't be a problem ...

We're broadband on ntl BTW. Some sot of base station that I plug in? Is that all it requires?

Also, if the missus has a laptop with a wireless card, presumably even though she's on a PC not a Mac, she should still be able to go 'wireless' wth that too I presume using the 'base station' thing I buy for the imac?

Sorry for the numpty questions ...

And could a mod delete the thread with no name please :D

[Andy M]

The easiest way would simply be to buy Apple's Base Station (www.apple.com/uk/airport/) but you'll need to make sure your modem/router is compatible first (just ask an Apple techie).

It's far from the most cost effective solution, but in my experience it is the most user friendly.

One thing you may want to take into consideration though is how thick the walls are in your house. Despite the manufacturers claims (Apple/Belkin etc etc) the wireless broadcast range of their products is no where near their stated claims.
We have a largish Victorian house with thick walls and as a result need an Airport base station as well as four Airport Express units to cover all corners.

Have fun with the iMac!

[BliarOut]

I use the NTL actiontec wireless thingy on their site.

<a href="www.ntlworld.com/toolsservices/wireless/?page_zone=219.4.1">www.ntlworld.com/toolsservices/wireless/?page_zone=219.4.1</a>

Doddle to set up

Edited to add:

If you want to try it to see if it works you're welcome to bring your Mac over to mine Mikey.

>> Edited by BliarOut on Monday 12th September 09:05

[bga]

I've got a Netgear DG834G wireless router & have an IBM laptop running XP and an eMac connected via wireless.

The airport card picked up the router straight away & connected easier than the laptop did. No trouble at all.

[800]

Have the same situation, wireless network for my PowerBook and wife's Sony. Both co-exist happily. Much as I love all things Apple, I'd say avoid the Apple Base station though and just go for an ordinary router.

Best of luck.

[zippee]

bga said:

I've got a Netgear DG834G wireless router & have an IBM laptop running XP and an eMac connected via wireless. The airport card picked up the router straight away & connected easier than the laptop did. No trouble at all.

I've got the same - my G4 I-Book picked it up straight away, as has a friends PC notebook.

[Paul 2000]

zippee said:

bga said: I've got a Netgear DG834G wireless router & have an IBM laptop running XP and an eMac connected via wireless. The airport card picked up the router straight away & connected easier than the laptop did. No trouble at all. I've got the same - my G4 I-Book picked it up straight away, as has a friends PC notebook.

Same here, DG834G works a charm.

[miniandy]

I have an ntl box connected to a buffalo wireless router thing, an ibook with airport extreme, and a pc with a buffalo wireless card. the mac worked as soon as i opened the lid, the pc was a litte more difficult to set up. but for ease, i opted for a 'pc' router rather than an airport base station. although my airport express is a fantastic piece of kit!