Pardon my newness: Mac Mini and wireless router basic question

[dingamahoo]

I searched this forum, but couldn't find the direct answer to my question, so please forgive me for posting what I'm sure is a very basic question and something that has been posted here before.

I'm getting a new 2009 mac mini tomorrow. I currently run a wireless network via an older Airport express that connects two Macbooks to the internet in a small 2-bedroom apartment. The plan is to make the mini a media center and home network server.

With that in mind, is it best to link the mini wirelessly onto my existing wireless network (802.11g)? Or should I get an airport extreme (802.11n) and link that wirelessly to the mini? Or can I run the cable modem directly into the mini and have it function as the wireless router (saving me the expense of buying the airport extreme)?

Any advice is very welcome, as I've never set up a home server before, and creating the mac mini media center is also new to me. I've been doing tons of research, but sometimes it's hard to find the answers to most fundamental questions.

 

[MacMini2009]

Connecting your Mini to your current wireless network is fine.

 

[dingamahoo]

Thank you for the response. My hope is then that the airport express wireless connection is fast enough to support HD video. I assume that your answer implies that it will be. That makes my life much easier. Cheers.

 

[MacMini2009]

Well if you want to watch HD videos, I suggest to get the Airport Extreme if you can/want to. I currently use a 802.11g router which my Mac Mini is connected to wirelessly. For Youtube HD, I have to wait for the video to load to watch it. But on sites like ABC.com, I can watch HD videos with no problems what so ever. Or maybe its just my internet connection which is DSL.

Edit: I actually have a 802.11n router so I know its my internet connection, so depending on your internet connection, HD videos may lag.

 

[dingamahoo]

But--to be straight--the point is in all of this that it's not necessary to have the internet running straight into the mac mini.

I guess I'll see how it works, and if necessary, will buy an airport extreme.

 

[J&JPolangin]

But--to be straight--the point is in all of this that it's not necessary to have the internet running straight into the mac mini.

I guess I'll see how it works, and if necessary, will buy an airport extreme.

...but your mini won't act as a router for your other devices, will it?

 

[Hellhammer]

...but your mini won't act as a router for your other devices, will it?

No it won't, I guess Mac Pro can, if you buy AirPort Extreme Wi-Fi card, I think (not sure though)