networking question

I think that you can use any old wireless router, but I don't think there are any other than the apple base station that will give you the speed benefit

 

You can get another wireless base station that supports wireless version 'b' and it will work. There are also some compains (besides Apple) that are othering version 'g' base station which are cheaper than Apple's. They all work with each other, the only problem is that some base station can only be configered on a PC, just like Apple's can only be configered on a Mac.

 

I have a Linksys 802.11b wireless setup...

The OS of your computer has nothing to do with configuring it. All you need is a web browser. Easiest thing to do is turn on DHCP on the wireless station, and your PB will find it no problem.

cable -> modem -> router -> wireless

assuming you already have a router. if not, you can get a wireless base station that is also a 4 port router if you want (802.11b)

802.11g is newer, pricier, and only a benefit for you if you do a lot of file transfers in your own subnet. such as moving 20gig of mp3's from your desktop to your PB.

Linksys and others do 802.11g as well. This is not a unique thing Apple does. In fact, they offered it 2 months after the "early adopters" did.

http://www.linksys.com/splash/wrt54g_splash.asp

The above is available now at Buy.com for $129, and ships for free!

http://www.buy.com/retail/product.asp?sku=10336386&loc=101

Apple's Airport Extreme is $199/$249 depending on if you want the built in modem and ext antenna port. No 4-port router though

http://www.apple.com/airport/