Mac Laptop compatibility with wireless broadband

LiamD

I have just ordered a Macbook and gave Eircom a ring to see if they'd send us out a wireless modem for our existing broadband package but when I asked, they told me their wireless broadband is not compatible with Macs. I think this is a disgrace that such a huge market is being neglected by Eircom, the biggest broadband provider in Ireland. Apparently many Mac users order wireless, unaware of it's incompatibility with their machines and then ring up only to be told that they must use Ethernet to log on.

Is there any way around this e.g. buying an independent wirless modem to use with my Eircom package? Or do any other broadband providers (reliable - no Smart telecoms!) have prodcuts compatible with Macs airport extreme cards?

TerrorFirmer

Um, Macs work fine with eircom products. As we speak my friend is browsing the web from his macbook using eircom wireless modem.

tywy

another example of how eircom are IDIOTS

eirlink

Im posting this on a mini using a wireless usb adapter sniffing eircom...macs are prob most tolerant and adaptable of all.

TerrorFirmer

I truly don't know how an earth they decided that Macs weren't compatiable...I'd love to hear what they'd actually say if you asked why they didn't apparently work. :rolleyes:

Tom Dunne

HavoK wrote:

I truly don't know how an earth they decided that Macs weren't compatiable...I'd love to hear what they'd actually say if you asked why they didn't apparently work. :rolleyes:

I would hazard a guess it's the USB drivers for the modem, coupled with the fact that they don't want to support Macs.

In fairness to the call center monkeys, they are ony reading from a script.

rainbow kirby

Never had any problems using my iBook on any wireless network... whether Eircom (which we used to have), NTL (which we have now) or otherwise.

Tom Dunne

Isn't that the whole point of standards such as Wifi? The wireless router doesn't care if it's a Mac, PC, PDA, or even PSP connecting.

Actually, there's an interesting point - anyone care to ring Eircom and see if their PSP is supported? Should make for some interesting excuses.

tonyboy247

Sounds like the goon you spoke to has just started the job...he was probably talking about the over size walkie talkie they supply. Think you will find no problems on the wifi front.. in fact Apple were among the first to use the topology in there OS anyway.

LiamD

Cheers guys thats a relief. It's shocking that they don't know what they're talking about, I was having thoughts of cancelling the order of the mac altogether. Silly, silly eircom. I still cant believe that he said that they have had Mac users ring up before and complain because they weren't aware that Macs weren't supported before they ordered broadband. The dirty Liars!

uncle_sam_ie

I had the same problem with vodafone. I walked into one of their stores and inquired about the unlimited data card they had on offer. When I mentioned I had a Mac, right away they said it wouldn't work. I was told the card will only work on Dell laptops. It's working perfectly fine through my Linksys router. I've also had my laptop working on many of my friends eircom wireless modems with no issues.