MAXPower 802.11n/g/b Wireless PCMCIA Laptop Cardbus Adapter

 

MAXPower 802.11n/g/b Wireless PCMCIA Laptop Cardbus Adapter
Company: NewerTech
Cost: $50
http://www.newertech.com

MyMac is having good results with NewerTech’s MAXPower Wireless products. First came David Weeks’ review of the MAXPower 802.11n/g/b Wireless Router, and then Rich Lefko reviewed the company’s MAXPower Wireless USB 2.0 Stick Adapter and Extension Cradle. Take a few minutes to read those evaluations, because NewerTech’s affordable wifi gear can enhance your computing and commuting experiences.

PowerBook users who need extra wireless range can insert a MAXPower 802.11n/g/b Wireless PCMCIA Laptop Cardbus Adapter into the slot on their laptop. A utility application called WirelessUtilityCardbusPCI launches by itself. Within seconds, all nearby networks are displayed, along with their security requirements.

You set up a profile for each different location, then evaluate the Link Status.

Best connection results are obtained when the link is strong. Then you can situate the computer farther from the wireless source. If you attempt to connect when a link is weak, you may not succeed. Snoop around the different tabs at the top of the utility window to learn more about any given signal.

If you are fairly experienced with technical software, you won’t be intimidated by the WirelessUtilityCardbusPCI application. Newbies can call or email NewerTech for assistance. This is not software that will win any interface awards, but it works as advertised, and it is included with the excellent hardware PCMCIA adapter.

When I asked NewerTech if a Menu Bar icon was hidden in plain sight, to check on signal strength without having to open the WirelessUtility window, I was told it was under consideration. There are technical issues that are beyond the scope of this evaluation, so we can let that matter rest for now.

Next I wondered how PCMCIA wifi adapters compare to built-in laptop Airport equipment. Grant from NewerTech explained:

“Any third party adapter ‘n’ will be stronger than a built in airport signal in a PRE-Intel notebook, since the adapters have ‘n’ capability and pre-Intels do not.”

I can confirm the truth of that statement. During months of real world testing of NewerTech’s MAXPower 802.11n/g/b Wireless PCMCIA Laptop Cardbus Adapter in my G4 Aluminum PowerBook, I was getting a strong wireless signal using the adapter at the threshold dropoff distance of the PowerBook’s built-in AirPort card. Signal strength is constantly changing, but it’s fair to expect up to a 2X response using this MAXPower card. In some situations without physical barriers, I achieved up to a 4X response.

It’s easy to recommend this Cardbus Adapter for PowerBookers who need extra wifi range. Users can become familiar with the software in a day or two. The physical card is sturdy enough to endure hundreds of insertions/removals from the slot. The reasonable price tag is a definite plus. MyMac lowers the score by a full point for the somewhat confusing Wireless Utility interface, then adds back half a point for affordability, for an overall recommendation at 4.5 out of 5.

Thinking about how NewerTech is helping the Macintosh community stay up to speed, the company tells MyMac: “Do other products offer ‘legacy’ Macs the ability to upgrade to the latest standard like MAXPower does? With Mac setup software right from the box and a variety of adapter types, G4 notebook and desktop owners aren’t left behind.”

As a peripatetic professional, I can’t live without this product. I use it nearly every day. I would buy one in a second if I lost mine.

email – MyMac Magazine – Twitter – Advertise – Reviews Archive – Podcast