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General discussion

used iBook - questions about internet connectivity

by cq_1 May 8, 2008 4:03AM PDT

Hi,

I am thinking of purchasing an inexpensive, used iBook to take with me traveling this summer in South Asia. I thought that would be a better option than taking my nice MacBook, since I don't want it stolen and don't know how it will fare during monsoon season. I do need a computer for my research, and for downloading my photos off my camera, and hopefully getting online to do email and use skype to talk to my family. I thought that purchasing a cheap laptop would serve my purposes, and I wouldn't have to worry so much about theft/damage.

So - here's my question. I'm looking at a used iBook that has an internal 56k modem, a 10/100BASE-T Ethernet Port, and an AirPort Wireless Card. I may be a blooming idiot, but I am not sure if that's enough to get me online onto a cable wireless network here at home, or in any situations I encounter while traveling (dial-up, ethernet, wireless...) I know that it will be much slower speeds than I'm used to, but I am not sure if I can even get it to work to connect to wireless internet.

Can someone more informed give me an opinion on whether this will get me what I need?

Thanks!!

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Dial Up, Broadband and Wireless

by mrmacfixit Forum moderator May 8, 2008 5:34AM PDT

I'm not sure there is anything more in the way of connectivity that is available on a retail computer.

You have enough there to get online to just about any network that you run across.

Aiport and Ethernet will get you on any broadband connection, Cable, DSL or Wireless and the modem will do for those times when broadband is not available. You will, of course, need a number to call to get connected. It is likely that the only "much slower speeds" will be when you connect via the phone modem.

By the way, your "nice MacBook". What does it have, in the way of connectivity, that the iBook does not?

P

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