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    Macbook wireless

    Discussion in 'Apple and Mac OS X' started by Penn State, Jul 30, 2006.

  1. Penn State

    Penn State Newbie

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    I'm curious about wireless on the Macbook which i'm considering for school.

    Now, I know it has bluetooth. What exactly does this mean? Do I have to buy anything else to go 'wireless' and have the internet anywhere?
     
    Penn State, Jul 30, 2006
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  2. Zero

    Zero The Random Guy

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    Bluetooth is wireless for smaller devices, like mobile phones, and other things. It can't be used for computer to computer wireless, because it can't carry much data. The other wireless is the computer type, which operates on 2.4 Ghz. Thats the one used for networking, or Internet access. Macbook's have these types of wireless, so you can use that.
     
    Zero, Jul 30, 2006
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  3. Wooky

    Wooky Notebook Evangelist

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    It can be used for computer to computer data (ad-hoc networks), but it is just silly in most situations. Unless one of your computers is in fact a PDA or a mobile phone that has only bluetooth, and you want to share your internet access with it. But bluetooth is more used for pairing with mice and keyboards, PDAs, headsets and so on.
     
    Wooky, Jul 30, 2006
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  4. Penn State

    Penn State Newbie

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    That just sent me right to the Macbook/Pro prices.
     
    Penn State, Jul 30, 2006
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  5. Zero

    Zero The Random Guy

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    Sorry, I didn't intend to put the link in, the posting does it itself.
     
    Zero, Jul 30, 2006
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  6. Penn State

    Penn State Newbie

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    Alright, so do I have to buy anything special?
     
    Penn State, Jul 30, 2006
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  7. RadcomTxx

    RadcomTxx Notebook Deity

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    if you want to use wireless internet when at home, you will need to buy a wireless router. but thats it.
     
    RadcomTxx, Jul 30, 2006
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  8. Zero

    Zero The Random Guy

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    Yes, you will need a router, but make sure that it is compatible with your Internet modem.
     
    Zero, Jul 30, 2006
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  9. RadcomTxx

    RadcomTxx Notebook Deity

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    what incompatiblity could there be? the router just connects with cat 5 cables. i don't see where any incompatibilities could arise from.
     
    RadcomTxx, Jul 30, 2006
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  10. Zero

    Zero The Random Guy

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    I'm sorry if this doesn't apply to this case, but here in the UK, there are two types of modem connection; USB and Ethernet. Even now a days here, there are some routers which onyl support one of these connections.
     
    Zero, Jul 30, 2006
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  11. RadcomTxx

    RadcomTxx Notebook Deity

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    okay. i guess. i am in canada and my cable modem has both cat 5 and usb for computer connections. and yes it can only use one at a time. but in which case you would just use the cat 5 connection.
     
    RadcomTxx, Jul 30, 2006
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  12. jujube

    jujube Notebook Deity

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    Most present wireless modem have both outlet. You might want to switch off the bluetooth if you are not using as an added power saving feature.
     
    jujube, Jul 30, 2006
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