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PowerBook G4 Q&A - Updated February 15, 2007
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Is there a replacement wireless card that offers better wireless reception for the 12-Inch PowerBook G4?
As all notebooks tend to be used in environments where you do not always have the ability to tweak the strength and direction of the network base station, your best option likely is to be the addition of an external antenna to your 12-Inch PowerBook G4.
The 12-Inch PowerBook G4 models lack a PC Card slot, but QuickerTek once offered an easy USB-based solution called "Quicky USB". Earlier "whip antenna" products required effectively permanent modification to the system, but this product just plugs into a USB port and can be quickly added and removed as needed. It is compatible with MacOS X 10.3 and higher.
Photo Credit: QuickerTek
QuickerTek promotes Quicky USB with:
It just doesn't get any easier than this. You can now connect your 'Book to just about any wireless network, especially those that are further away from your normal range and still get a solid and fast connection. Quicky plugs into your Mac's USB port - so it's easy to install and use. You can take it with you and use it anywhere you want better wireless.
The antenna and transceiver help the Quicky boost your wireless RF power from a stock 50 milliwatts to 500 milliwatts - at least ten times the wireless power. That means you can not only see more wireless networks, but when you decide to connect, you'll also get high speeds that make wireless networking as solid as being connected using a network cable.
Compared to earlier "whip antenna" products, Quicky USB is extremely simple to install, but for US$225.00, it certainly is not inexpensive. Regardless, for those who need better wireless performance, the product is well worth consideration.
Reader's Addition:
I, too, had problems with reception on my PowerBook G4 (Titanium). I bought a PC card from MacWireless, which solved the problem. I now get incredible reception with no signal drops. I even pick up a motel two miles away from my boat.
Priscilla
Citrus Heights, CA USA
Editor's Note: The 12-Inch PowerBook G4 models do not have PC card slots, but this is an alternate -- and much less expensive -- solution for PowerBook G4 models that do.
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