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I have never opened up a computer or installed anything computer-related in my life, and this was a breeze. Airport worked right away without any problems and I get 4 BARS (All Full) of reception from our wireless network even though the hub is through the ceiling and on the other side of the house. This Airport was delivered super quickly via First Class Mail. I downloaded the instructions from the Apple Site (Specifically my computer's year and make) and it popped right in. Overall, I am extremely happy with the purchase and falling in love all over again with Apple's simplicities. Seller was friendly and prompt. Installation for the AirPort was incredible.
Took less than 5 minutes and I was running on my existing home system. Installation and use of this airport card was easy as you can get. Won't ever use a PC again for my personal usage. Love the ease of use of Apple and its products. While the instructions with the unit were lacking, the instructions on-line from Apple and other sources were plentiful. Just open the back, slide the unit in, attach the antenna and you are in business.
This lost a star for Apple. Not everyone has the $$$ or easy physical access to an Apple service store and Genius Bar. GM went bankrupt but you can get parts for their products from their affiliated dealership parts departments. In my complicated experience attempting to upgrade my legacy G4 desktop, Apple tarnished its brand. Specific beefs:1. New house, new Wifi-capable Lexmark Pro905 all-in-one printer and new MacPro 15" laptop for my lovely wife demanded a wireless solution for our legacy G4 desktop. Sadly, Apple does not sell the Airport Extreme Card any more and research on Apple's support site shows AirPort base station does not work as an add-on extender with other wireless routers. That's annoying.
Searching the Apple store comes up with nothing to explain that Apple doesn't sell the M8881LL/A any more. In the past, Apple has earned premium prices for its products due to ease of use through superior design. This additional complication detracted from my ease of integration into my home's pre-installed Wifi network infrastructure.3. If Apple makes the decision to design compatibility for an older product, it should help the customer help himself. It's a network product that is supposed to help (not hinder). I suggest Apple provide a video on its support site of the actual physical installation process for the M8881LL/A in legacy products. Amazon and its partner fulfilled our need nicely for the card.While I find the AirPort Extreme Card top-rated for use, installation and reliability, I downgrade it for setup.I found nothing wrong in the technical set-up of the card itself, my downgrade is more of a concern with Apple's business approach that complicated my system integration.
Parts inventories are expensive but I think Apple should sell the M8881LL/A in its own store and not allow information on this part to become difficult to locate. This complication lost stars for Apple.2. My search of Apple's usually helpful support site identified the fact that Airport base station (which I purchased several months before without enough research--shame on me) will not play nice to extend 3d party routers such as the AT&T-supplied 2Wire in my new house. connection of my local computing environment to physically distant environments.
I had no problem installing it, and my internet connection seems to be almost as fast as my main computer downstairs that's hooked up to a router. I got this airport card for my second computer (an emac) upstairs. It works great.
With the antenna (sold separately) installed, it connects to my Airport Base Station nicely, allowing me to play iTunes over my speakers from a different room in the house. Product worked as advertised, seller shipped quickly and I'm happy with my purchase. The Airport Extreme Card I bought was specific to a Mac PowerPC G5.
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