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Wireless router?

M

Mr. Ectomy

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Apr 6, 2006
9
0
I have a PC with a cable modem, and just bought an iMac G5 core duo and want to hook it up to the internet as well. What wireless router works well with the built-in Airport card?

Thanks from a newbie...
 
katy said:
I use a Netgear DG834G.
Click to expand...

I use that and its been terrible so far. The wireless part is fine. I never lose a connection to the router itself. But its modem is really bad for me. I can only get a maximum of 30kb/s download speed - when wired or wireless. However, if I use the USB modem on the old Windows box (the USB modem won't work on my Macbook), speeds are around 300/400kb/s!!!! So its certainly not the fault of my ISP.

All in all, I wouldn't recommend Netgear based on my own experience.
 
Linksys are good.

ONE VERY IMPORTANT thing to look for, make sure the router is not "flat" on the desk.

Make sure it has some legs or stand offs to raise it off the desk and therefore enable air to get in underneath.
 
combatcolin said:
Make sure it has some legs or stand offs to raise it off the desk and therefore enable air to get in underneath.
Click to expand...

I use a Netgear WPN824, and it has little legs that allow it to stand vertically.
 
id recommend the linksys wrt54g or gl or gs or any variant like that
my dad has the wrt54g and it's insanely easy to configure and works quite well. also has 4 wired ports. newegg has the wrt54g for $40 after a linksys rebate.
 
combatcolin said:
Linksys are good.

ONE VERY IMPORTANT thing to look for, make sure the router is not "flat" on the desk.

Make sure it has some legs or stand offs to raise it off the desk and therefore enable air to get in underneath.
Click to expand...

Hmmm...well I've had mine flat on a hard surface so far. I'll try standing my Netgear vertically, though I doubt that alone will explain my poor speeds :(
 
JosiahPB said:
It seems like not very many people on these forums use an Airport base station...any truth to this?
Click to expand...

Ive had an AirPort Extreme for a few years and its very reliable (worth the price) but i would recomend the wireless routers made my Intertex www.intertex.se especially the IX67, tons of features & a very good firewall.

I've been trying to find a supplier that sells the IX68's (same but with ADSL2 modem built in) to replace my airport and DSL router setup, but have yet to find somewhere.

I briefly had a Linksys the earlier WRT54G and it was very unreliable, and i got the Airport base a week later instead.

Bye
 
By the way matey, you either bought an iMac G5 or an iMac Core Duo, not an 'iMac G5 Core Duo' as you said.

An iMac G5 is PPC - which you can now only get through retailers (provided they have stock), or Refurb. from Apple. They run PowerPC Processors and are the older generation of Macs.

An iMac Core Duo is Intel - the latest generation of Macs. Available from all Retailers and Direct from Apple.

I'd be guessing you have an Intel. :rolleyes:
 
FleurDuMal said:
Looks like its just me then. How have you set yours up? Maybe its my settings or something :confused:
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We didn’t do anything special - Just entered the DSL information and BAM, it connected. Never really needed to touch it since, other than adding more computers to the Wireless allowance list, opening ports etc.

We get 200kbps on our 2MB line and it never once cut out in the two years we've had it. How can you be sure it’s not your ISP disconnecting you? Have you updated the firmware from Netgear.com recently? They may have fixed the issue in an update.
 
codo said:
We didn’t do anything special - Just entered the DSL information and BAM, it connected. Never really needed to touch it since, other than adding more computers to the Wireless allowance list, opening ports etc.

We get 200kbps on our 2MB line and it never once cut out in the two years we've had it. How can you be sure it’s not your ISP disconnecting you? Have you updated the firmware from Netgear.com recently? They may have fixed the issue in an update.
Click to expand...

I go on the Netgear site and the only update they have for this model says "UK users DO NOT download" or something along those lines. I might try downloading it anyway and seeing what happens.
 
FleurDuMal said:
I go on the Netgear site and the only update they have for this model says "UK users DO NOT download" or something along those lines. I might try downloading it anyway and seeing what happens.
Click to expand...

What generation is yours? Ours is a "V1", and there are no such warnings about not using it in the UK. This also applies to the V2, from what I can see.

However, on the V3 download page, and there is - I wonder what that is all about? Have you tried emailing them?
 
FleurDuMal said:
Hmmm...well I've had mine flat on a hard surface so far. I'll try standing my Netgear vertically, though I doubt that alone will explain my poor speeds :(
Click to expand...

Some blue tac or those little stick on pad things on each will do the trick.

Friend of mine has gone through 2 routers, both side flat on his desk with no way for the heat to go.

Keep it cool and it will last forever.
 
codo said:
What generation is yours? Ours is a "V1", and there are no such warnings about not using it in the UK. This also applies to the V2, from what I can see.

However, on the V3 download page, and there is - I wonder what that is all about? Have you tried emailing them?
Click to expand...

Yeah, I've got the V3. I haven't tried emailing them yet. To be honest, I think the firmware they have up isn't actually an update - its the firmware that shipped with the router (the V3 hasn't been out long at all).

When I first set up the router, it was fine. I got good speeds. Not its really slow and sometimes just dies :confused: . Maybe I should just take it back and get it replaced.
 
Mr. Ectomy said:
I have a PC with a cable modem, and just bought an iMac G5 core duo and want to hook it up to the internet as well. What wireless router works well with the built-in Airport card?

Thanks from a newbie...
Click to expand...

Get airport express/extreme;) IMO, they are the best, as they are extremley easy to set up with macs and pc's;)

PS, Apple never made iMac G5 core duo's;)
 
Thanks all for your input and suggestions. I kinda wanted to know what the "best" router would be for both systems, but I was also interested to see if there was a specific brand or model NOT to buy.
 
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