The 'Book Page
AirPort
August 17, 1999 - Dan Knight - Tip Jar
According to a recent Low End Mac poll, over half those surveyed believe wireless networking is the iBook's best feature.
Other Mac webmasters seem to agree - AirPort is the most important ingredient in the iBook mix, even if it is just an optional accessory.
Early attempts at wireless networking were either slow, too expensive, line of site, or some combination of these.
The most promising failure was probably IrDA, an infrared communication protocol that reached 4 Mbps. The big drawback -- the IrDA ports on the two devices (computers, printers, PDAs, etc.) had to be aligned with each other. Move things far enough and the connection failed.
The PC world seems enamored with slow network protocols in the 1-2 Mbps range. Compared with LocalTalk, they're fast. But this is the late 1990s, and most of the world is spoiled with 10 Mbps ethernet.
So, instead of making ethernet a Wintel standard, several companies are pushing slower, cheaper solutions. (Odd thing is, 10/100 PCI ethernet cards are already under $60.)
Compared with this, the wireless protocols being pushed on the Wintel side (and migrating to the Mac) have reasonable performance. For instance, Farallon's SkyLine runs at 2 Mbps and has a 1000' (300m) range - although that drops to 300' (90m) indoors.
On the other hand, the SkyLine PC Card sells for US$300, the AirPort "card" for the iBook only costs $100, and it moves data over five times faster, albeit over a slightly more limited range (150'/45m).
Both SkyLine and AirPort support one-to-one networking, eliminating the need for a hub when moving files between two computers with wireless ports. In fact, SkyLine and AirPort can talk to each other, although they will be limited to the 2 Mbps rate of the SkyLine protocol.
And that's the big advantage of AirPort: ethernet speed. While the Wintel world is inventing slower network protocols, AirPort has a bandwidth slightly higher than regular 10 Mbps ethernet. For most home and small office networks, AirPort will be as fast as a regular ethernet connection.
Exactly how AirPort will deploy is a bit of an unknown right now. I'm hoping Apple will build an AirPort antenna into the next iMac, next desktop, and next PowerBook. In fact, I'd be surprised if they didn't.
At the same time, I hope Apple provides some easy way to add AirPort connectivity to older PowerBooks (with a PC Card) and desktop Mac, perhaps with an AirPort PCI card and an external node that would connect to the ethernet port of any Mac.
Not only does AirPort provide good speed at a great price over a reasonable distance, it can also eliminate a lot of wiring headaches and expenses. This will not only be great in schools, but also in homes and existing offices.
AirPort has a very bright future.
Further Reading
- AirPort: The Era of Easy Networking, iBook Page, 9/15
- AirPort, MacKiDo, 8/4
- iBook takes off with AirPort networking, Byte, 8/16
- New iBook triggers computer lust, The Sentinel
Recent Content on Low End Mac
- Fix Home Button Delay, Tablet the Ultimate Mobile PC, iPad Notebook a Possibility, and More, iOS News Review, 2012.02.10. Also using your iPad at work, two photo editors, a new iPad text editor, Macally's magnetic iPad 2 stand, and more.
- White MacBook Goes End-of-Life, Logitech Touch Mouse Supports Gestures, Firmware Updates, and More, The 'Book Review, 2012.02.10. Also MacBook Air better than any Ultrabook, docks for MacBook Pro models, Intel offers improved SSDs, and more.
- Mac and iOS Browsers: Options Galore, Freeware Forum, 2012.02.10. Safari is adequate on Mac and great on iOS, but the range of good alternatives is stunning. LEM writers share their favorites.
- Apple's Support Lead Shipping, Smartphones Outsell PCs, OS X Ported to ARM by Intern, and More, Mac News Review, 2012.02.10. Also the power of Tex-Edit Plus, Google and Twitter are already censoring the Web, Snow Leopard Security Update, and more.
- LogMeIn: Remote Screen Sharing for the Rest of Us, Alan Zisman, Zis Mac, 2012.02.09. Configuring the Mac's built-in screen sharing to work over the Internet can be difficult or impossible. LogMeIn makes it easy.
Latest Deals on Low End Mac
About LEM Support Usage Privacy Contact
Follow
Low End Mac on Twitter
Join Low End Mac
on Facebook
Low End Mac Reader Specials
TypeStyler 11 is now in the Mac App Store!! -- Special Introductory Price of $59.95!! -- To Buy From The Mac App Store Click Here Now!! Or buy direct
from Strider Software.
Don't install Parallels to play poker online! Poker Mac will show you how to download and install a native Mac poker and Mac Casino applications in minutes.
Favorite Sites
MacSurfer
Cult of Mac
Shrine of Apple
MacInTouch
MyAppleMenu
InfoMac
The Mac Observer
Accelerate Your Mac
RetroMacCast
PB Central
MacWindows
The Vintage Mac Museum
DealMac
Deal Brothers
Mac2Sell
Mac Driver Museum
JAG's House
System 6 Heaven
System 7 Today
the pickle's Low-End Mac FAQ
Affiliates
Amazon.com
The Apple Store
The iTunes Store
PC Connection Express
GainSaver
Parallels Desktop for Mac
eBay
