Do i need an Aiport Base station for Wireless Mac broadband...

pamfin

or will any wireless hub do the job?

I have an iBook which I'm going to fit with an airport extreme card but don't really know how to go about setting up wireless broadband after that point!

Also, can anyone recommend a good provider with mac support?

Thank you!

Little_John

What do you currently have for your internet connection?
USB modem you plug in a USB port
Router you connect to via a network cable

You need some sort of router to make your network and some sort of device to make it wireless. Most people just plump for a wireless router all built in to one device and it is the most simple set up to go for. Your wireless laptop, pc, mac, games console or fridge whatever you have that can use wireless then connect to the wireless router and gets its connection. you just need to make sure your laptop, pc, mac, games console or fridge are wireless enabled. The iBooks as you know didn't come wireless anabled so you need to buy one of the AirPort adaptors but they opperate useing the standard 802.11b/g/n protocol so can connect to any wireless enabled network devices like the inexpensive standard routers so no need to buy the over prices apple base station's. Most ISP's now provide a wireless router when you sign up with them.

almillar

No such thing as a Mac compatible provider - they're all Mac/Windows/Linux compatible, anyone claiming that they are are probably just trying to trick you out of extra money. As for your router, almost any wireless hub (actually, it's a router) as Little John says, it depends what internet you have - Cable or BT line. BT line will need an ADSL router. For your iBook, which will do 'g' wireless, don't bother wasting money on a 'n' router, unless you're planning for the future.

Marty_J

almillar wrote: »

No such thing as a Mac compatible provider - they're all Mac/Windows/Linux compatible, anyone claiming that they are are probably just trying to trick you out of extra money.

Not exactly true. Some ISPs support Macs, some don't. If you're having a problem and you call their support line, they'll say "I'm sorry, we don't support Macs" and that'll be the end of that.

almillar

Ah well yes that's true I suppose, I don't tend to phone tech support often, but if my internet connection wasn't working, I would know to tell them it was nothing to do with my computer...

Little_John

Marty_J wrote: »

Not exactly true. Some ISPs support Macs, some don't. If you're having a problem and you call their support line, they'll say "I'm sorry, we don't support Macs" and that'll be the end of that.

opps I hit thanks, that is just becasue the ISP support don't know what they if the pc doesn't have windows on it or their badge on the router they won't support it.

Marty_J

Little_John wrote: »

opps I hit thanks

And there's me thinking I was being helpful.

pamfin

Sorry for the delay in replying. My iBook died and I thought it was terminal, and since I couldn't afford to buy a new laptop, I cancelled my internet (which was with Tesco via a USB modem). Then someone brought it back to life for me, fitter and faster :T So I don't have any home internet at the moment and am having to post from work.

A wireless router seems to be the way to go because my husband wants to connect his xbox as well so I guess I just need to find an ISP that offers mac tech support (since I'm clearly clueless at this sort of thing!)

Thank you for your help.

Marty_J

If you have Sky, their broadband service offers Mac support.

almillar

And just in case you're not aware, many broadband providers will give you a wifi router/modem as part of your contract.