Mac Compatibility

[awb]

Apologies if this issue has been answered already - if it has I probably didn't understand the answer!

I have a Netgear router WGR614 and Black Ambit modem, both supplied by Virgin.

From these I have a hard wired desktop and wireless link to two PCs and two internet radios; not all at the same time!

I am considering replacing one laptop with a MacBook.

I would only do so if I had at least a fighting chance of switching it on, it finding the network and working!

So, are there likely to be any compatibility problems?

The spec says that the Mac featuers
AirPort Extreme 802.11n Wi-Fi wireless networking; IEEE 802.11a/b/g compatible (whatever that means)

Thanks for any help offered

[Stephen]

Hi and welcome, you should have no trouble at all in finding and joining the network with a Mac.

I have an iMac and it connects no problem to my network.

[awb]

Well that was an impressively speedy reply. Thanks very much.

[Kymmy]

The netgear614 is 802.11g (54Mbps) where as the 802.11n standard will be backwards compatible with the G standard.. As Stephen says there should not be a problem but to get full speed (not through the modem but perhaps Lan2Lan) then perhaps a 802.11N router upgrade in the future would be good

[haydnwalker]

There are a few members of these forums (me included) that have MacBooks using wireless - I personally am using the VM supplied Netgear N router - and I've had no issues with it and get very good speeds both internally on the network and out to the Internet - so I say take the plunge

[awb]

Thanks everyone for your help.

Wireless networking has been a common feature on Macs for donkey's years. Some of the earliest iMacs had optional wireless 'a' cards on the pricier models - there was a little aerial behind a panel that you had to erect if you wanted to use WiFi.