which would be better, wifi USB dongle or Airport card?

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Level 6

9,156 points

which would be better, wifi USB dongle or Airport card?

Apparently, my new TV, my xbox 360 and my ps3 can all do wireless, so I'm thinking maybe it's a good time to get on the Wifi Wagon. So, I'm thinking I should get a TimeCapsule, which I think has Airport built in. However, my Mac pro (early 2008, Quad Core Xeon, 8 gigs ram, OS 10.7.5) doesn't have an Airport card installed in it, to the best of my knowledge.

So, which would be the best thing to do...see if I can buy and get installed (or install) an Airport card, or go for a USB Wifi dongle?

thanks for any advice

John B

Posted on Jan 19, 2013 11:26 AM

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Answer 1

Linc Davis

Level 10

209,541 points

Jan 19, 2013 1:12 PM in response to Johnb-one

You don't need to add a wireless interface to use a Time Capsule and other wireless devices. Connect the Time Capsule using Ethernet, and connect the other devices to its Wi-Fi network.

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Answer 2

Jan 19, 2013 2:27 PM in response to Linc Davis

... and at least at this writing, Ethernet connection can run faster than WiFi.

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Answer 3

Johnb-one Author

Level 6

9,156 points

Jan 19, 2013 3:06 PM in response to Johnb-one

Yeah, you're absolutely right. Checked out the user manual and the TC has a WAN port for connecting to cable modem, and 3 LAN ports, plus it can do wireless, which would work with my TV, Xbox360, and ps3. Guess I'll have to get one of those asic (as soon as I can). I'm kinda awestruck at the whole deal.

thanks for solving my problem

John B

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Answer 4

Jan 19, 2013 3:27 PM in response to Johnb-one

Rumor has it that the next generation of wireless technology will be coming to Apple sometime soon. 802.11ac will boost wireless speeds even more -- but will probably only work at those speeds on brand-new Macs and is unlikely to retrofit (seems to require new WiFi chips), although it is likely to be backward-compatible.

That does not seem like that will impact what you are doing now.

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