Any experience with USB/FireWire WiFi adapters
Ok, I am basically giving up with my Airport cards/stuff. I have went through 2 cards now, and none of which I can keep working. They (the card) either isn't detected, or if the card IS detected, no WiFi networks are "available" I have done everything. I am leading to think that there is a problem with the airport socket on the logic broad, or there is something wrong with the antenna wire, as I hear is it common for them to get "pinched" or something and go bad. And I don't feel likening buying a $75 wire, thanking it all apart, threading the thing all over the place and almost brake everything again.
So forget built in WiFi! If I have to look geeky with a plug-in adapter with a 6 inch antenna, then so be it!
A few questions:
Has anyone had any experience with these things? For example, this one:
http://cgi.ebay.com/802-11G-WiFi-USB-2-0-Dongle-5dBi-Antenna-4-Mac-XP-VistaW0QQitemZ200246613129QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item200246613129&_trkparms=39%3A1%7C66% 3A1%7C65%3A15%7C240%3A1308&trksid=p3286.c0.m14#ebayphotohosting
It claims it works with Mac OS X 10.3 and 10.4 so it could be worth a shot, not it mention its only $9.99! Looks like it would work, and the big antenna makes it look more powerful then then my Airport card would catch.
If I got that, or any other adapter, how do they work? wouldn't I need software or drivers for it it work, or would it work just like the airport with its own signal icon in the menu bar.
The only other thing I am worried about is speed. The USB ports on these iBooks are only USB 1.1 which I know in terms of data transfer, is slower. How does that compare to "internet data" speeds. I only have 768k/128k DSL, so would I be able to get my full speed, or would I only get a smaller amount like 300kbs, or something like that. If I went to an internet cafe with fastrer internet like 6mbs, would I get that much as well? What is the limit of USB 1.1?
Another thought that came to mind is are there such things as "FireWire WiFi adapters" as, the FireWire is faster then the USB and would get more data transfer the the USB.
So I was just wondering if anyone has any experience with these things? Do they work? Do they KEEP working? How is the speed on USB 1.1, is it usable?
Any info would help!
Thanks!
Scott
So forget built in WiFi! If I have to look geeky with a plug-in adapter with a 6 inch antenna, then so be it!
A few questions:
Has anyone had any experience with these things? For example, this one:
http://cgi.ebay.com/802-11G-WiFi-USB-2-0-Dongle-5dBi-Antenna-4-Mac-XP-VistaW0QQitemZ200246613129QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item200246613129&_trkparms=39%3A1%7C66% 3A1%7C65%3A15%7C240%3A1308&trksid=p3286.c0.m14#ebayphotohosting
It claims it works with Mac OS X 10.3 and 10.4 so it could be worth a shot, not it mention its only $9.99! Looks like it would work, and the big antenna makes it look more powerful then then my Airport card would catch.
If I got that, or any other adapter, how do they work? wouldn't I need software or drivers for it it work, or would it work just like the airport with its own signal icon in the menu bar.
The only other thing I am worried about is speed. The USB ports on these iBooks are only USB 1.1 which I know in terms of data transfer, is slower. How does that compare to "internet data" speeds. I only have 768k/128k DSL, so would I be able to get my full speed, or would I only get a smaller amount like 300kbs, or something like that. If I went to an internet cafe with fastrer internet like 6mbs, would I get that much as well? What is the limit of USB 1.1?
Another thought that came to mind is are there such things as "FireWire WiFi adapters" as, the FireWire is faster then the USB and would get more data transfer the the USB.
So I was just wondering if anyone has any experience with these things? Do they work? Do they KEEP working? How is the speed on USB 1.1, is it usable?
Any info would help!
Thanks!
Scott
24" iMac 2.4GHz Core2Duo/4GB RAM/320GB/ - 500MHz iBook G3 Dual USB/384MB/160GB/, Other OS, OS X 10.5.4 Leopard on the iMac, OS X 10.4.11 Tiger on the iBook
