[Scooter_Trash]

Let just say that after a few years of saying that I was going to make
the leap from PC's to a Mac, I finally did it. I'm REALLY glad I did.
I do have one question. I bought a MacBook Pro last month and the
wireless signal really isn't that great. Actually, it's horrible.
That really is the ONLY complaint I have. I understand that there is
an AirPort car and an AirPort Express. The express card's signal is
supposed to be better. How can I tell which one I have. I called the
local Apple Store to check on upgrading and they told me that all
MacBook Pro's have the better card and the basic AirPort card is
non-existent now.

[Peter Cohen]

The MacBook Pro has the AirPort Extreme card. The Express you're talking about is a smaller base station that Apple sells which also enables you to stream audio to a home entertainment system and hook up a USB printer to the network for wireless printing.

The Express can help to extend the range of your wireless network, as well, if you're using a router or base station that supports WDS -- Wireless Distribution System, a technology that enables you to connect multiple wireless networking base stations together as part of a single network.

[Scooter_Trash]

Thanks, I figured out how to find all the details in "about this Mac". I'm still learning. Sounds like the Express is what I need to boost my range at home. Is there anything I can do to boost the range while using a public WiFi hot spot?

[Peter Cohen]

There are, in fact, external antenna systems. Right offhand I know that QuickerTek makes them (don't take this as an endorsement, I'm just intimately familiar with them because it seems like I'm getting a steady stream of press releases from them each month). I know that they cost a lot, however.

I've had pretty good luck with Wi-Fi on my MacBook Pro -- unless you're willing to fork over some comparatively big bucks for a booster, you might want to stick with what you have, at least for now, and see if it gets you by.

As I understand -- and this is a problem dating back to the titanium case days of the PowerBook G4 -- the metal case of the MacBook Pro (aluminum) seems to block the signal a bit. People have better luck with laptops made of other materials -- even Apple MacBooks aren't as bad. One of the downsides to looking so beautiful, I guess. :

[Scooter_Trash]

Ok, thanks for your help.

[rab777hp]

If you have a really bad signal, I'd suggest not getting an airport express, but a more powerful airport extreme, or you could get a time capsule which has an airport extreme and a hard drive, so you can back up your stuff with time machine (which is included with leopard.