I used to have my HP DV 6000 hooked up to it and it worked fine, funny thing is when i turn on the airport it picks up other wireless signals in my apartment building just not the one thats located in the same room as it.
If you're hiding the SSID, click on the Airport connection icon and choose "Join Other Network"
Enter the SSID, Specify the type of encryption, enter the password, click on connect.