Airport/Airport Express Alternative

[gruffgordon]

I have an iMac G5 and Powerbook G4, both have wireless capability. I tried setting up an Airport Express, but that wasn't very strong. Then I tried an Airport hub, but that was just as weak. Do any other non-Mac products work better to create a wireless network? My office is in a separate garage, about 25-30 feet from the house. I would think this is not very far.

Thanks,
Gordon

 

[bella92108]

Hey. I've been kinda having the same issues with my setup, so I've done some reasearch and figured out there are really two methods to accomplish this feat...

1- Go with a Linksys router that's 802.11g and get an external antenar with a directional projection pattern (just go to Compusa or somewhere and they have a whole aisle of them) and that should assist with getting it out there, unless you live in a bomb shelter... that's a fairly inexpensive method, and not too ugly looking.

2- The ugly method... you can get a Pre-N Router (the latest and greatest) and that should give you that extra distance... the PROBLEM is that for Pre-N to work, you have to have a Pre-N receiver as well, meaning for the Mac you'd have to attach a USB receiver to your beautiful system... blehh...

3- *bonus response* You could just get a verizon broadband card... expensive solution to a simple problem tho, but thought I'd throw it in as an idea.

 

[gruffgordon]

Thanks, Bella. Somebody at a Mac Store once suggested D-Link for wireless, but I think I'll pay a visit to CompUSA and try your #1 suggestion.

 

[AllieNeko]

It's not the distance that's killing you, it's the exterior walls.

First, for a router recommendation - I like SMC myself. AVOID D-LINK!!!

Second, connect and external antenna outside your house to get the range you need.

 

[balamw]

Definitely try an antenna with some directionality and point it in the direction you need. Downside is that if you need coverage elsewhere, you won't get it.

Another vote for Linksys here. Very flexible if you get one of the Linux based WRT54G devices, like the WRT54GL or an older WRT54G/GS.

Here's a thread about doing things with your Linksys router beyond it's out-of-the-box capabilities. https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/188940/ . One such possibility would be to create a point-to-point link from the house to your garage using a pair of these guys and a pair of directional antennas like the infamous "Pringle can" http://www.cantenna.com/...

B