Should i buy this?

[g4cube]

Am in the market for a airport extreme and went to the shop they have the older ufo extreme it was $97 down from $189. They didn't have the newer ones there so i couldn't look at them to see the difference. It was dated on the back 2004 from apple so i was wondering should i get it? It is new and i want the best strength i can get as the walls in the unit i will be moving into really block the signal when i was there before i had a booster ariel on the old airport i had. Any advice would really help me out and i do hope this was the right place to post this.

[nchester]

I would say try and get the newer ones, because they have 802.11n and Gigabit Ethernet, so you get faster internet and networking, wireless and wired. If you don't know what 802.11n is, it's basically wireless which is faster, and has much greater distance/signal than 802.11g (which the old Airport Extreme has). Hope that helps.

[g4cube]

Ok thanks for the info does my wireless card support the 802.11n specs are

Wireless Card Type: AirPort Extreme (0x168C, 0x86)
Wireless Card Locale: Worldwide
Wireless Card Firmware Version: 1.4.8.0

[NeoRicen]

Originally Posted by g4cube

Ok thanks for the info does my wireless card support the 802.11n specs are

Wireless Card Type: AirPort Extreme (0x168C, 0x86)
Wireless Card Locale: Worldwide
Wireless Card Firmware Version: 1.4.8.0

What kind of Mac do you have? If it's the G4 Cube of your name then no.

[DeanCorp]

Originally Posted by g4cube

Ok thanks for the info does my wireless card support the 802.11n specs are

Wireless Card Type: AirPort Extreme (0x168C, 0x86)
Wireless Card Locale: Worldwide
Wireless Card Firmware Version: 1.4.8.0

I think that card is n-enabled. To Double check do the following:
Applications>Utilities>Network Utility

It should say Model: Wireless Network Adapter (802.11 a/b/g/n)

[haydio]

His sig has a MBP in it

[NeoRicen]

Originally Posted by haydio

His sig has a MBP in it

Haha, whoops.

[g4cube]

Yes it's a early 2006 MBP and the wireless card says this: Wireless Network Adapter (802.11 a/b/g)

Looks like out of luck on this one thanks guys for your help. I will still buy the newer extreme as one day when i get a newer mac it will support the n spec.

[leon]

Originally Posted by g4cube

Yes it's a early 2006 MBP and the wireless card says this: Wireless Network Adapter (802.11 a/b/g)

Looks like out of luck on this one thanks guys for your help. I will still buy the newer extreme as one day when i get a newer mac it will support the n spec.

You can upgrade your MBP to wireless n if you feel inclined. You will need the wireless card from a Mac Pro (not Macbook Pro but Mac Pro as in the tower). Doing this upgrade will void your warranty if you have any left.
Here is a generic card which I believe another forum member used to upgrade their Mac Pro.
Broadcom 802.11N 300M Wireless N PCI-E Card For Hp Dell - eBay AirPort Cards, Apple Networking, Apple Computers Components, Computers Networking. (end time 13-Jan-09 10:56:16 AEDST)

[melbmac]

IMO get the new one, if nothing else it's a little more "future proof."

[LCGuy]

Alternatively, if you don't want to do the upgrade leon is suggesting, or if you still have AppleCare, perhaps you could look into getting an 802.11n ExpressCard or USB dongle? (yeah, I know they suck)

[g4cube]

Thanks again for the info it still has the apple care on it so a dongle it will have to be. If the range is alright however as it i will leave everything the way it is just getting the new extreme and be done.