12-23-2008, 06:07 PM

Hiya guys, just brought a new macbook unibody couple days ago and I need help in setting my laptop for internet.

I use the internet connection from my family home most often when I had pc but it's AOL, yes one of the worst broadband providers out there. My dad being untechnologically and stubborn refuses to switch providers because he's happy with what he's got and doesn't see the need to change.

I did google around for some answers to whether its compatible for macs but only a few results turned up and all of them were outdated from 2005 -2006, so of course technology has changed since then.

At the moment my dad uses one of those BT Voyager 105 USB ADSL modems, where the phone line is connected to a filter which is connected to the modem and then connected to the pc via usb. Question is, does my mac support it? If not, can I connect to internet via vista or xp bootcamp? I'm not sure how exactly that works which is why i'm seeking help.

12-23-2008, 06:40 PM

You'll need a router to make it work. It sounds like the ADSL modem is connected directly to the PC. Using a router, preferably a wireless unit, the modem would connect to the router and then from the router by ethernet cable to the PC.

Your new MacBook can receive the signal using airport wireless from the router. You do not need to install XP or Vista in order to receive the net via a wireless router. Your Mac already has everything it needs.

Regards.

12-24-2008, 09:20 AM

Unless there is some router that deals with a USB connection to the ADSL modem, I don't think a router alone will be the solution. Best to change the ADSL modem to one that includes wireless. (BTW, I don't think the filter is supposed to go between the phone line and the ADSL modem)

12-24-2008, 10:27 AM

Just spoken to aol on the phone, I asked about switching to wireless as that is what mac seems to like, plus it's a 'laptop' so it should be mobile. They said I don't need the new wireless plan as I already got aol broadband through my house and that I just need a new wireless router. They couldn't supply me with one though so its something I need to buy myself. I looked on the aol site for supported routers and here's the list of wireless ones:

* Netgear DG834G wireless modem router
* Thomson SpeedTouch 576 wireless modem router
* Thomson SpeedTouch 580 wireless modem router
* Thomson SpeedTouch 585 wireless modem router

I'm not sure which one to get, has anybody had any experiences with these routers to tell me which one works best. I don't know much about internet connecting, so i'm not sure when you get disconnected it's something to do with the router or the broadband coming through to the house.

12-24-2008, 12:56 PM

Any good router should work with AOL broadband. But if you're worried about buying one that they specifically say is supported, go for one of the Thomson SpeedTouch units. Check the specifications for each and buy the one that has the greatest range and uses 802.11n.

Note the routers you listed are all combined; in other words, the modem and router are together as one unit. You will not need your current modem.

Regards.