WE decided to purchase the wireless router and an airport card for the ibook. We leave the Imac on all the time. I understand that this will work for what we need.
On Jun 21, 2004, at 5:10 PM, Charles Martin wrote:
From: gordens <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
we just got a new ibook! Our flat screen imac is connected directly to
the cable modem. My friend (in another state) told me that all we need
to do is purchase a wireless modem (she bought net gear) to plug into
the cable modem - and then get an airport/airport extreme card for the
ibook.
Not quite right. Your friend meant that you need a wireless *router* or *access point,* which is different than a modem. You already have three modems -- your cable modem, and the two dial-up modems built into your computers. You don't actually need the router at all, if you choose -- read on.
THe ibook would then be able to share the cable modem with the imac.
Other way around, actually. Since your iMac is plugged directly into the cable modem, if you add an airport card to *it* as well as the iBook, you can have the iMac function as a base station and share its internet connection with the iBook.
However, be aware that the iMac has to be on and awake to share the internet connection -- for that reason, I recommend a wireless router (preferably Airport, but can be most any brand that's 802.11g compatible). In addition, routers have hardware firewalls, which I think are better than software ones.
Is this setup possible with all cable modem companies?
Yes. They're not involved.
When I last checked, my cable modem company states that they charge extra $ per month for 2 machines to be using cable modem. So - is there something unique about connecting wireless - that you can share the cable modem?
Forget the cable company. Just buy a router and share away. They want to charge you a monthly fee for *providing* a router, and it's probably not wireless to boot!
Let's review:
1. Cheap way: buy Airport Extreme card for iMac and iBook. Make iMac a "software Base Station." Cost: between $150 and $200, depending on where you buy the AE cards. No change in wiring (ie, iMac stays directly connected to the cable modem). iMac must be on and awake when iBook wants to use wireless services.
2. Better way: buy 802.11g compatible wireless router (check the list sponsors for good deals!). Buy Airport Extreme cards for both machines. Plug cable modem into wireless router. Now the computers can go to sleep/be turned off without the other machines losing access. Cost: $200-$260 depending on where you buy the stuff.
3. Even better way: Buy Airport Extreme cards for iMac and iBook. Buy Airport Express. Plug cable modem into Express. Move stereo near Airport Express station. Plug stereo into Express. Plug printer into Express. Now you have computers sharing internet, files and printer -- plus you can stream iTunes onto your stereo!! Awesome!
Cost: $129 for Express, 75-100 for each of the cards -- call it around $300.
4. Best way: buy Airport Extreme Base Station with extra ethernet jack (I think all of them have this) and antenna slot and printer port. Buy card for iBook only (iMac will plug into ABS). Plug cable modem into ABS. Plug USB printer into printer port. Now computers can share internet and printer, and are "futureproof" for future Airport Express purchase (believe me, you'll be getting one for your stereo/travel needs in the future!).
Cost: $175-200 for AEBS, $75-100 for iBook Extreme Card, so again let's say $300.
_Chas_
"If you want to encourage your kids to color outside the lines, think creatively and zig when the other kids zag, get the Mac. On the other hand, if you want to teach your kid that life is full of frustration and that anything worth getting takes plenty of patience and hard work, a Windows machine should do quite nicely."
-- D. Plotnikoff
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