Advice on going wireless with a Macbook

[CincyMac]

Hello.

I've been a Mac user since early 2000 and I'd like to think I'm knowledgeable about OS X. However, all my Macs have been desktops. OS X is OS X, but I'm next to clueless about notebooks.

If the settlement check I'm expecting ever decides to get here, I hope to purchase a 13" Macbook or a Macbook Pro after paying off some bills. My needs are extremely basic: surf, watch movies, listen to music, and maybe using GIMP. I'll want to use it at home and away from home.

Question 1: Will turning on Airport in my iMac work?

Question 2: Wireless card. Do I need one? If you would offer suggestions on which one to buy, I would be grateful.

Thank you.

 

[Satcomer]

All the Macs except the Mac PRO have an Airport card (wireless card) built into them.

The Mac Book Pro 13-inch specifications page will have all the information about it.

With wireless you have to treat the different frequencies (a, b, g or n) like radios. A mac book have an N capable Airport card the means in can do UP TO the N frequency including all the frequencies before it (a, b or g). Yes N is the fastest in terms of speed to the wireless transmitting point. The n frequency is fairly new and most free wireless businesses still use G or B in free internet spots to cover accommodate everyones computer.

The cheapest & smallest home wireless router (that will do the N speed as well as all the other frequencies) and is very portable is the Airport Express. It is one of the smallest wireless routers one can buy. You can take this with you, connect to any ISP ethernet modem (like an ethernet port at a hotel) and take a wireless router with you that is very small.

Lastly it sounds as if you need to brush up on the Mac wireless that they call Airport. An internet PDF book called Take Control of Your 802.11n AirPort Network might be something you would want to brush up on all things Mac wireless.

 

[co19]

#1 As stated above, yes it will

#2 Just a little added info, you will be surprised by the speeds wireless can reach, nowadays you can have the same speed as a wired network straight from your laptop.
Apple laptops have been known to have sub par built in networking cards, in which a windows equivalent laptop will have greater wireless range. But speed wise mac is no different, and if you are a normal user and not planning on become a secret agent or stalker anytime soon the built in card will be enough.