newbie question about networking

[rassac]

Hi,
i recently (only yesterday) bought a refurbed mac book from tha apple store. It is my first ever mac and i want to set up a wireless network for it at home. The problem is i don't know the first thing about routers and such like! I live in the uk and i connect to the internet using tiscali over a BT line. Just wondering if anyone can recomend any products or tell me what i should be looking out for when looking at routers.

thanks.

 

[MacBoobsPro]

My set-up consists of a PowerMac G5 and a MacBook. They are wirelessly linked with an Airport Extreme base station. Works a treat, simple to set up.

There are cheaper alternatives out there but I doubt they would work as seamlessly (i may be wrong).

 

[andrewmulligan]

I've found that most routers work with my Macs, so brand shouldn't be a problem. If you want a small wireless network you could just get an AirPort Express (really simple to set up) and you'd be working wirelessly in no time. If you're looking for something a little more advanced you could get an AirPort Extreme Base Station (redesigned, too) or something else by Linksys or dlink

 

[richard4339]

Linksys WRT54g is a breeze to get running. I had never done anything networking in my life when I bought it. The thing I appreciate is they have really in-depth walkthroughs that seem (in my opinon) to make sense even to people with no computer experience.

Anyway, I, personally, am considering getting the Airport Extreme in February when it comes out. My MBP already gets a faster download speed than my wired gigabit ethernet enabled PC, so, I figure trying to boost it further, with the added bonus of an external drive, is well worth it.

 

[extraextra]

Airport Extreme! Such a breeze to set up. You hook one ethernet (or CAT6, whatever you use) cable from the DSL modem to the Airport Extreme, and then hook another ethernet cable between the computer and Airport Extreme (if you have a wired computer), and you're done! Aiport Admin Utility will set you up in about 5 minutes and everything will be working flawlessly.

If you don't need a wired connection at all, then the Airport Express will be good. It's basically the same thing as I described above, except you can't have a cable between the Express and computer because it's all wireless.

 

[rassac]

thanks or the replies. just tought i'd fill you i. i went for the Belkin gplus mimo adsl modem and router. i know its not airport extreme but it was a breeze to set up and is working a treat!