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3 Replies Last post: Aug 7, 2004 12:39 PM by Nobody  
Click to view Brun's profile New Member
Brun
2 posts since
Aug 1, 2004
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Aug 1, 2004 12:20 PM

3rd-party wireless G in my PowerBook?

By browsing through the forum, I found out that it is possible to install another wireless-network adapter than the AirPort inside my PowerBook G4.

I was looking into the WPC54G from LinkSys (http://www.linksys.com/products/product.asp?grid=33&scid=36&prid=642). I could buy it straight from Amazon.

However, I would like it if someone could simply assure me it will work with my computer.
The problem is this card is a wireless G card, and I don't know if it will fit in my PowerBook.

It's a 867Mhz PowerBook G4 (I've seen it dubbed 'SuperDrive' on some websites). The origin of my question comes from the fact that it doesn't support AirPort Extreme, which uses the wireless G protocol, and only the original AirPort cards, which use the wireless B protocol, are deemed compatible with my computer by Apple.

I've seen on some websites that this Linksys card would be recognized as an AirPort Extreme card by OS X and that it uses the AirPort 3.1 drivers (http://home.earthlink.net/~metaphyzx/Wireless.htm). However, there is no mention of the card working correctly on a Mac computer on Linksys's website.

Thanks!
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Click to view Nobody's profile New Member
Nobody
58,347 posts since
Oct 18, 2007
1. Aug 6, 2004 7:02 PM in response to: Brun
Re: 3rd-party wireless G in my PowerBook?
As long as you have a PCMCIA slot, you are fine. You are not using the internal Airport slot with these cards.

Most of the wireless manufacturers don't mention Mac compatability because they don't write the necessary software. As I mentioned in a previous post, I got Netgear to note Apple compatability on their support page (with the purchase of OrangeWare's drivers). I have been very happy with the performance of the Netgear WG511T (superG) card along with OrangeWare's $15 software. The Linksys card you are looking at does show that it is supported by Airport 3.1-3.3. Worst case if Airport software doesn't work is to download OrangeWare's software. It supports the Linksys as well.

Why settle for 54Mbps by buying an Airport Extreme card(and older laptops can only handle an Airport card) when you can get 105Mbps for around $50? As long as you don't need your PCMCIA slot for something else there is no reason not to.

Rob
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Click to view charlieartist's profile Member
charlieartist
438 posts since
May 8, 2004
2. Aug 7, 2004 12:12 PM in response to: Nobody
Re: 3rd-party wireless G in my PowerBook?
Rob,
105MBps are supported by what standard? I have a TiBook, and am looking on adding wireless, so I'm quite interested. Even with 802.11g, though, it doesn't look like most public sites offer this. From looking at online directories, it looks like most are still 802.11b (even from larger providers like T-Mobile). I guess it's more or less like HDTV. The technology is already there, but the impetus to upgrade and convert is still lacking.
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Click to view Nobody's profile New Member
Nobody
58,347 posts since
Oct 18, 2007
3. Aug 7, 2004 12:39 PM in response to: charlieartist
Re: 3rd-party wireless G in my PowerBook?
G is backward compatible to B. Set the wireless card MODE settings to B (11Mbps), G (54Mbps), and super G (108Mbps). It will then work with all 2.4GHz wireless routers.

Get the G. Then you can always connect at the fastest available speed.

Rob
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