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    Need a new Mac Pro Air Card

    Discussion in 'Apple and Mac OS X' started by Masakik, Mar 6, 2008.

  1. Masakik

    Masakik Notebook Enthusiast

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    I need a new Mac Pro Air/network card wirless, for my gf's Mac pro Book. She needs a way stronger card to pick up signals better. Any suggestions or cards your aware of that work well? I didn't see an expansion slot for cards on her mac pro book, maybe cause i dont know macs well enough, but i'm thinking she can only use a USB card.
     
  2. hollownail

    hollownail Individual 11

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    Um.... Well, if she has a Macbook Pro, she can use any ExpressCard (i think the MBP uses size 32)... newegg.com has several available that would work.

    If you're talking the Macbook Air then no, she will need the usb ones.
     
  3. Masakik

    Masakik Notebook Enthusiast

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  4. hollownail

    hollownail Individual 11

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    That just looks like a holder for the old Airports.

    So that will not work. She will need a USB wireless NIC. Take a look at newegg under laptops and accesories. Should be something under there.
     
  5. Masakik

    Masakik Notebook Enthusiast

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    any that u suggest?
     
  6. Modly

    Modly Warranty Voider

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    Assuming the MacBook Air has the same card as the MacBook, I'd suggest just sticking with the stock internal card.

    My brother has an HP that I outfitted with a great wireless card and an external antenna port (for wardriving fun!), and he also just got his new MacBook yesterday. He said his MacBook gets almost the same signal levels as the HP, and it's more stable at keeping a connection. Distance is roughly the same as well.

    For what it's worth, I wouldn't waste money trying to make the signal better at the laptop end with what you have. I'd boost it at the router.
     
  7. thecommish16

    thecommish16 Notebook Evangelist

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    Isnt the router the real source of the signal strength?
     
  8. Modly

    Modly Warranty Voider

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    Yeah it is. The wireless card in the laptop can help a little by amplifying weak signals and transmitting a bit better, but with a weak router signal even the most powerful cards can have troubles.