Can anyone recommend a wireless router for a new Macbook? I was looking at the Airport Express, but they don't seem to carry them at Best Buy anymore. They have the Airport Extreme, but it's $80 more and has many features that I don't think I'll need. Any suggestions? Is there any reason to stick to the Apple Airport series, or will any wireless router work just as well? Oh, and if it matters I've got cable internet service.
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Wireless Router Recommendations for a New Macbook
- Thread starter beelzibub
- Start date
If your Macbook has 802.11n and Leopard, I'd wait for the Time Capsule, if I were you.
Pretty much any wireless router will work. For what it's worth, I've not heard much in the way of bad things from airport extreme owners and have been nothing but happy with mine. Between the features offered, the ease of use and the fact that it does "just work," I'd say the extreme would be a solid choice, even with price being a factor.
Oh, and time capsule is essentially an airport extreme with a 500gb or 1tb hard drive inside for backing up computers wirelessly via time machine...not sure if that's something you'd need/be interested in.
Oh, and time capsule is essentially an airport extreme with a 500gb or 1tb hard drive inside for backing up computers wirelessly via time machine...not sure if that's something you'd need/be interested in.
Charlie Hustle
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As stated before that any wireless router will work. I have an ibook g4 and powermac g4 and both of them connects to my linksys router with no problems. If money isnt an issue, and your macbook has a wireless n card, i would recommend an n router.
Night Black
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I'm posting this from a Macbook on a wireless network right now, and I highly recommend the DIR-655. Solid, attractive, and high range.
Well, the Macbook is actually my girlfriend's.....I know alot about PCs but little about Macs. I know Apple loves to make you buy all of their branded accessories by including features that aren't available on aftermarket components. I just want to ensure that if I buy a non-Apple router for her, she won't be missing out on anything. I'm also pretty uneducated on wireless ethernet setups....past troubles with reliability and security using wireless networking have made me stick with wired networking. Have wireless routers come a long way from 4-5 years ago?
Torquemada XP: We went to Best Buy because she had a couple gift cards to use....why do you ask?
Thanks for the info so far! Keep the suggestions/comments coming!
Torquemada XP: We went to Best Buy because she had a couple gift cards to use....why do you ask?
Thanks for the info so far! Keep the suggestions/comments coming!
Charlie Hustle
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I say use the card there and save from spending money out of your pockets. The apple must still follow the 802.11a,b,g,n protocols, and all wireless routers (apple included) are made with that in mind.
santaliqueur
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That's an interesting way to say "Apple loves to make money by offering products with features that other companies don't".
802.11 is a standard, and any wireless router will adhere to that standard. As for security, I wouldn't worry about it. 5 years ago, wireless networking was still relatively new, and has matured in both speed and security. 802.11n is blazing fast, and is quick enough to wirelessly stream HD video files from my Mac Pro to my Apple TV, all with no hiccups at all.
The Gigabit Airport Extreme costs $180 on its own. I don't think $120 extra for a 500GB NAS is that much.
Same here, Mac Book Pro. No Problems at all, Like the router a lot!