Free Internet Service??? Apple AirPort Extreme Network Adapter Card
Written: Apr 02 '04
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Easy to install. Easy to use. Low power use. Almost Easy to afford.
Cons: Your only choice for Apple machines, but at least it's a good choice.
The Bottom Line: Highly recommended for all iBooks and PowerBooks. Easy to use and install. Internal antenna works like a charm. FAST!
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| pilotpat's Full Review: Apple Airport Extreme (M8881LL/A) Network Adapter |
I purchased the Airport Extreme adapter card for my Apple 12-inch iBook notebook computer. Although the list price is $99, I was able to find an Apple-refurbished card with new warranty for $72 plus tax (free shipping) at the Apple Online Store.
Compatibility
The AirPort Extreme card is compatible with all new Macs, including my iMac.
Its interface is based on the new high-speed protocol, 802.11g, which remains compatible with the older 802.11b. In other words, with this card, you can interface with just about any wireless network out there, whether its an Apple AirPort or AirPort Extreme base station, a T-mobile hotspot (at all Starbucks these days), a hotel or school-provided network, or a friend's Windows-based 802.11b/g outfit.
The benefit of the g protocol is speed. 802.11b offers up to 11Mbps at up to 150' (or more - see below). 802.11g retains the range of b, but boosts speed up to 5x (54Mbps) as you get closer to the station (max speed is reportably available up to about 50').
The Box
The shipping box arrived with the card (shipped in a static-dissipating plastic envelope), a short instructional brochure, and installation disk. All the software already was installed with my iBook's OSX 10.3 Panther, so the CD went into storage. The card itself is metal encased, very slim, and unadorned (it spends its life hidden in the computer anyhow).
Installation
This is pretty simple, but you'll want to reference your computer's owner's manual so as not to break anything. After powering down the iBook and removing the battery, the keyboard removes by clicking two latches at the top and then swinging it up. You remove the retaining clip, plug the built-in antenna into the card, snap the card into the connectors, replace the retaining clip and keyboard, and you're done. By the way, if you upgrade your RAM, you'll need to pull the card because the access door is underneath.
Once you power up the computer again, it automatically senses the card and you're ready to roll.
Operation
Surprise, surprise. As soon as I booted the computer, I was connected to the Internet even though I don't own a base station! Turns out, my next door neighbor has a Windows machine with an 802.11b station - nearly 200' away with glass and brick in between. The Airport card automatically senses the network type and logs in (he's got it set up so you don't need password authentication).
Now I'm able to leech off his system at reasonable speed (I don't download big files so as not to lock up his connection) in my dining and living rooms! The opposite side of the house exceeds the signal strength. For geeky fun, my wife and I even use iChat AV (included with OS X and compatible with AIM) sometimes as a home intercom - allows us very clear telephone-quality voice communication between the office and living room. If we had firewire cams attached, we could play with the video conferencing capabilities.
At a commercial hotspot, there's no such freeloading. T-mobile is one of the most widespread networks, and charges a $29.99/month flat fee for unlimited use, $6/hr (minimum one hour use) for a per-use fee, or $9.95 per day. That price seems to be similar with other networks I've found. Pretty steep, if you ask me, but would make sense if you spend an hour or so at Starbucks every day. Many Mariott and Embassy Suites hotels now offer wireless access for free, and my sister tells me Panera restaurants do the same. I also was able to log on for free from the parking lot outside the Dallas Apple Store while my kids were sleeping and my wife was shopping!
Power drain seems to be low. I have my iBook set up to continually calculate and display remaining battery life, and it seems to drop by about 10% when I'm connected. When you're not using the network, it's a simple click on the icon to shut it down and save power.
Security
I'm not sure how vulnerable a wireless card makes your computer, but I have to assume it's much easier to hack into you wirelessly than through an ethernet port. For that reason, I would recommend highly that you install a software firewall. OS X has its own firewall software built-in which I understand is effective. Instead, I run the Norton Internet Security software, which has a robust firewall.
Overall
Performance-wise, I assume that this card works pretty much the same as any other 802.11g card. The built-in antenna (on all new Macs, iBooks, and PowerBooks) means you don't have an antenna sticking out of your PCI slot like many WIntel machines to get snapped off. The interface is typical Mac - extremely user friendly. The flexibility it adds to the already superb iBook is well worth the price.
Of course, with macs, you're limited by compatibility, so in some cases you'll be "stuck" with the AirPort Extreme. Not a bad option to get stuck with, IMHO, and the price is right on-par with other name-brand WIntel compatible cards.
Recommended:
Yes
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pilotpat
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Member: Pat
Location: World Traveler
Reviews written: 96
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"Never tell your neighbors to wait until tomorrow if you can help them now."
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