Bluetooth or Airport

I am in the market for a laptop to take to the lake with us in order to check emails and internet bills etc. Ordered one but had to send it back, due to lack of promised wireless hardware. So now that I am looking again and am pretty ignorant of wireless technology, other than what I have read, I am curious as to which (if not both) would be better for the above purposes....Bluetooth or an Airport card. Will probably look for a G4 iBook with 1g mem and 1.33 processor. Would those of you with experience and knowledge help me out with advice/recommendations? Also what about WiFi that I read about too.
Thanks,
Glen

DaddyPaycheck,
Thanks for the answer....is there a difference or preference in the Airport Extreme vs Express? I had read that some of the G4 iBooks were having problems recognizing the Airport cards in certain cases and due to the good prices of that laptop, I think that is what I am going to go with unless someone has a better recommendation. I know that the later models apparently had the card placed on the motherboard and it is had to get to for the average person without taking the computer apart.
Thanks,

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Using my iPad to stream music.... Bluetooth or airport express

Hi
I have a nice hifi system and use it for listening to cd's when I want to listen and also stream from my iPad when I want background music and to run play lists etc.
Can't do away with my cd's as I want audiofile quality for serious listening and as my iPad is near full... I can't load all my CDs etc in apple lossless format, I haven't got the space left.
So, to my question on streaming to my hifi system.
I do it through an airport express and connect to my amp with the airport express jack output via a mini jack to RCA cable.
Now, I'm looking at getting a dacmagic digital to analogue converter.
So, I can take the digital signal from my cd and improve quality... So far so good.
I then realised I could use the mini jack on airport express with a mini optical toslink cable (the output is both a mini jack and mini optical digital output),
to take the digital signal directly to the Dac.
Then I hear the dac also comes with its own bluetooth adapter so I could stream directly to the Dac From my iPad with Bluetooth.
My question is.... Which will give me the best quality from my iPad...
With Bluetooth or airport express digital optical signal.
If anyone can give me the pros and cons of each I would appreciate it.
Thanks

I finally figured it out! I needed to extend my my network using my Verizon Wireless network but then under the Music icon on the Airport Utility, I selected Enable Airplay and selected an iTunes speaker name that is the same as the name chosen for my Airport Express name. This way, I can connect to my wireless network which the Airport Express is extending, but select my Airport Express as the speaker. Woohoo!

Sharing bluetooth over Airport

I am in a situation where my only means of internet access is a bluetooth connection to my cell phone, which uses GPRS to access the internet. I would like to share this connection with other computers by means of a wireless network.
Desired network topology:
Internet <-> GPRS <-> cellphone <-> Bluetooth <-> computer <-> Airport <-> other computers
I know it is very easy to set up a wireless network that shares an Ethernet connection; I have done so. Is it possible to easily do this with a bluetooth connection? I have not seen an easy option to do this before, and and away from my Mac right now (at work).
Thanks.
Powerbook G4, 667MHz Mac OS X (10.4.6)

I don't have much to offer but have you tried the sharing preference pane?

Bluetooth and Airport have disappeared on my Imac G5 20"

So it just disappeared one day, and I haven't seen it since. It happened a while back, but I'd like to sell the computer and it would be better if I had the Bluetooth and Airport back. From what I can tell from the forums, it's a software issue. I've tried some of the remedies people have suggested (pulling the power cord, etc... clear the PRAM, ditch the bluetooth.plist, plus probably a few others), but to no avail. Any other suggestions, or is it a lost cause? It's a 2.0 HHz PowerPC G5 with 1 GB RAM; 10.5.6

Option 1
Restart the computer while holding down the Option key. This will tell the computer to look for bootable drives. If it finds your normal startup disk, select let, then click the right pointing arrow to boot up the computer. Now open up System Preferences> System> and select your normal Startup OS as the default startup disk.
Option 2
Reset your PRAM. Press and hold down the Command Option P R keys while starting your computer. You will hear the startup chime. continue holding down those keys until you hear the startup chime a second time. Release the keys. If the computer restarts, you will need to reset your Date and Time. It might be time to replace your PRAM battery. The G5 iMacs require a 3 volt CR2032 lithium watch/camera battery like below:
http://eshop.macsales.com/item/NewerTech/CR2032/
You can find these batteries at Walmart, Kmart, Target, most local drugstore chains, for between $3-$5, or at Radio Shack for $12-$20.
If you have any G5 iMac model EXCEPT the iSight version, you can probably do the battery install yourself. Watch this video on upgrading your iMac's RAM to show you how to remove the back of your iMac, if you don't already know how:
http://eshop.macsales.com/installvideos/imac_g5_mem_m/
While you have the back off, use a can of compressed air to blow the dust out the vents at the bottom of the iMac, the fans, and anywhere else you can. Also inspect the 28-30 capacitors on the logic board. Look for dark spots, if they look puffy or swollen, or leaks.
Option 3
Reset the SMC by removing all cables (USB, Firewire, Ethernet, Modem, Power cord) from the back of your computer. Let it sit for one minute. Press and hold the power on button on the back of the iMac while plugging in the power cord. Release the power on button. Count to five, the press the power on button again.
Option 4
Place your original, came with the iMac when purchased install disk, into the slot on the iMac, press and hold the C key while pressing the power on button on the back of the computer. (If you have upgraded your OS from when you purchased your iMac, example your iMac came with OS 10.3 installed, and you're now using OS 10.5, then use the OS 10.5 Retail Install disk that you had used to upgrade your OS instead of the original, came with the iMac disk.)
Continue holding the C key until you see the OS starting to load. DO NOT do an OS installation. At the top Menu bar, select Utilities or Utility, and pull down to Disk Utility. On the left side of the window that opens,select your normal OS drive. Click First Aid at the top middle of the window if it isn't already selected. Click Repair Disk from the lower right area of the window. When that is done, click Repair Permissions to the left of the Repair Disk button you clicked earlier.
When that is done, quit Disk Utility. From the top Menu bar (I think its under Utilities) select the Start Up Manager, and choose your normal boot volume as the startup disk. Restart the computer. If successful, and you've rebooted from your normal startup disk, eject the install DVD/CD, and you're good to go.
Good luck.

Battery power, Bluetooth, and Airport all shotdown

There has been a dvd jammed in my superdrive for about a week now and today I decided to get it out. I took off the bottom unibody panel, removed the superdrive, and took the disc out. When I put it all back together I see that my battery is not powering the computer anymore, the bluetooth isnt available and is reads that there is "no airport card installed". All of which were working before I removed and reinstalled the disc drive.
Any solutions?
I would apprecieate so so much.

power works now, but bluetooth and airport still not functioning at all.

Does the Bluetooth and airport..

I know this is probably a dumb question but i really want a mac before i graduate high school and i am saving up everylast penny to get one and i was wondering does the bluetooth and airport come built into the computer or do you have to buy it extra?
any help would be appreciated
thank you

They are both standard on the MacBooks. No need to add anything.

Missing bluetooth and airport?

Hello lovelies,
My dad bought a 2nd hand Mac Mini to use with his HD TV to stream online TV and we've been having problems. Established it does all work fine but now trying to connect it to the accompanying bluetooth keyboard and mouse and the specs say it can't find any info about Bluetooth or Airport. Could they have been removed? I was expecting to go in and activate in the top right of the screen a la my MacBook. Any suggestions gratefully accepted.
Much love, Charley

Hi Charley,
Some of the older mac minis were sold either pre-configured in the store or customized without an airport & bluetooth card (which are combined I believe in the mac mini). The reason why it's reporting "no info available" is simply because it is lacking the card. My recommendation would be to probably just buy a usb network dongle that you can plug in the back of your mini. It sure would be a lot easier then cracking open your mini which would void the Applecare service warranty (if it still applies to your mini).
-Drew

USB Bluetooth or Airport Extreme?

Hey all, I am purchasing a new Dual Core iMac and I am trying to decide whether to puchase an Airport Extreme along with it to make my condo wireless (including printer) OR to just purchase the cheaper USB Bluetooth device to plug into my Printer to make only that wireless.
I live in Japan, so my condo is quite small by American standards, and the place where I would put the base station is close to where I want the computer to be anyway.
I DO have a MacBook (as does my wife) so THAT would be the main reason to go internet wireless - to be able to sit out on the varanda on nice days and web surf. But it is not like we do that THAT much, and would mainly use the Dual Core (as we do with my 17" flat panel now) at home.
However, I know that wireless is slower than non-wireless, AND I have ready MANY complaints in the Apple forums about some prob with the new iMacs and getting REALLY slow connection speeds with the Airport.
SO, I am debating whether or not the wireless internet is really worth the price of the base station vs. the bluetooth or not.
My MAIN question, I guess, is can anyone give me an idea of what works "better" for wireless printing? The base station or the USB Bluetooth? Which has better rang and is faster? THAT would probably help me make the ultimate decision.
Much thanks in advance,
KLB

http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=778198&tstart=0

How to hook up new MacPro and old G5 w/o bluetooth to Airport?

I will bet someone here can help me. I'm brand-new to wireless. I was told I can connect my new MacPro laptop to communicate with the Hughesnet modem and ALSO cable my trusty workhorse G5 tower (no bluetooth) to the modem at the same time. I only see one ethernet port on this pesky little fella. Do I jump an ethernet cable OUT of the back of the G5 TO the Airport Express (keeping the G5 ethernet internet modem ethernet cconnected as it is now?) That seems to be the only way I could do this. Any and all suggestions are more than welcome! I don't see any threads asking this particular question.

Thanks a bunch, Mr. Boyd! And your correction on the terminology much appreciated. I've been riding a Mac for a living since 1986, but wireless.... newbie. I actually got the Airport Express to work... sporadically. [grin]. But in order to get a righteous connection, I am returning it for the Airport Extreme. I tell you, seeing the wireless work is like the first time back in the 90's, the Net allowed me to transmit files from my boondock home office to clients all over the world. Awesome. I don't think I'll ever cease to be amazed.

Can i install bluetooth and airport?

can I put the airport and bluetooth that I had in my dead Imac G5 into my Imac G4?

If this G4 iMac is the one noted in your other post as an 800MHz model,
the G5 iMac product is even further apart for a likely fit than if you had
parts from an G4 iMac 1.25 17"/20" which had an optional BT/wi-fi module.
So, I'd say after reading part numbers & some specs, the fit is an unlikely one.
Someone technical with time on their hands could probably make something
work; but the Bluetooth fix usually included the use of a USB BT adapter.
The older iMac G4 has USB1.1 ports, and most BT adapters are USB2.0.
For wireless, the original AirPort 802.11/b card would be a direct fit option.
Given the power/speed differences between USB2.0 adapters and USB1.1
port power, the use of wi-fi or bluetooth USB adapters may be mixed. There
may be some older spec USB adapters available online, that may work.
Hopefully you can find a workable solution...
Good luck & happy computing!

Adding Bluetooth and Airport module?

I recently acquired a 1.25 GHZ 1st gen Mac Mini with a 40GB HD which did not include the Bluetooth / Airport module.
Is there any way to add it to the machine myself?
Thanks,
Awfers

If you Google for something like 'mac mini airport kit' you should get a number of hits, including from some suppliers who have had this item in stock, and with luck, one or two may still be able to supply one (Amazon claim to have 2 at the present time, but stocks in any location will likely vary quickly since there are few left on the open market and still lively demand). Prices in the past have ranged between about $90 and $109. Alternatively, Apple approved service providers can still obtain these, but many will only order one if you have asked them to fit it.
If you can get hold of one of these kits, it contains the Airport card and 'riser' and antennas for both Airport and Bluetooth. Fitting is relatively easy if you have confidence in opening your mini, and with a little care can be done in about 30 minutes.

Bluetooth and Airport card install

I just bought the Bluetooth card and the Airport exteme card for my G5 dual 2.5 GHZ late 2004. Any idea where can I get installation instructions.
Thanks
Power Mac G5 Dual 2.5 Dual Layer burning Pioneer 111D Mac OS X (10.4.7) 7 GB RAM Nvidia GeForce 6800 Ultra DDL 2.5 TB Internal storage

Some help here
http://discussions.apple.com/message.jspa?messageID=595691#595691
and here
http://www.info.apple.com/usen/cip/pdf/g5/apec_c.pdf

Powermac G5 Dual 2.3 How to add bluetooth and airport extreme ?

Hi,
I have the above computer. I would like to know if it is possible to fit an airport extreme and bluetooth module into the machine retrospectively ?
it is a cost option which was not supplied by my company ?
Any ideas or suggestions ?

All,
I am updating the question, so that it can be on record.
I manage to get hold of one from ebay. To check that it is the correct unit you need to look at the bottom of the base unit to identify the model. The model no. would give EMC part no. 2023. The EMC part no would have to match with the read me guide.
There are no installation instruction in the guide so i had to work things out (and you need nimble fingers !).
The unit has a bluetooth module and the airport extreme attached via two black screws. The bluetooth module fits on the airport extreme card, which in turn plugs on to the motherboard.
You need to remove the fan.
The bluetooth module is held to the card via two black screws, undo the screws and take the bluetooth away from extreme card.
On the bluetooth module there is two connectors connect the wire from the motherboard on to the module, then carefully plug the bluetooth module back on to the card and then screw the black screws on to the card.
If you miss a screw then do not worry as it works okay !
( I had a plumber come around reqgrding some work, so I lost concentration, when pluging in the module)
Place the module on to the board.
Place the fan back.
Restart the machine. The aiport extreme/bluetooth module would be picked up automatically.
It took me a couple of hours to work everthing out. The hardest part is to get hold of the module.
any questions email me on [email protected] Note that i am giving the 'advice' on best efforts basis without any liability.
Powermac G5 2.3 Dual Mac OS X (10.4.2)
Powermac G5 1.8 Mac OS X (10.4.2)

How do I set up a wirelss music system with a MacBook Pro? Need advice on what to use: Bluetooth or AirPort. I don't have speakers yet. I listen mostly to classical music. Any advice on what kind of speakers?

I live in a small apartment and would like speakers in the bedroom and the living room. I like the "all-in-one" units. Would two of these sound better than one in the living room? I have a wireless modem from my phone company, but I have not hooked it up yet. What is AirPort and is it necessary to do what I want to do?

If your goal is to have a "whole home" audio experience, then using separate speakers in both the living room and bedroom would the proper approach.
If you decide to go the AirPort Express Base Station (AX) route, then you would need a minimum of two of these devices; one each for each room. The AX is a wireless Internet router with built-in audio. The AX's audio port supports both analog and digital optical audio output and will work with either self-powered speakers or an audio receiver that supports either connection type.
Classical music has very fine dynamics and, of course, the better the speaker, the better the sound reproduction. However, you don't need to go overboard as the AX is limited to the audio files that iTunes can play.

Bluetooth and Airport Extreme card install

Are these user installable options? I am getting a new Mac Pro as an insurance replacement for an older Mac wrecked in a flood. They will only replace with a new Mac if they purchase through their supplier at their reduced cost, but I get the feeling their new replacement will ship to me without these options preinstalled. Is there a way to buy them and install them myself? I have seen documentation for hard drive and PCI card etc. replacement, but not these options. Nor does they seem to be covered in the "working in your Mac" portion of the user manual.
If I can't do it myself, is it possible to have these installed by Apple, or are these options only available when initially ordering your Mac?

I bet most people would say, they could do the installtion thats easy, so true however, lets say you broke somthing on the mother-board would,nt that be so easy and there goes your warranty throught the window its now void, now clap yourself, or even smack yourself, can't believe you,ve even shock yourself. If you buy the parts Apple will do do the installation for about $45-$50 say you take it to the apple store, in the U.K. at the apple store its £25, for installation of Air-port, or air-port /blue-port is the same or a bit more, they done mine it was less than an hour wait, on a busy day, have fun with your new toy.
Fr. Blayzay.

Bluetooth or Airport

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