QuickerTek Inc. on Monday announced the release of a PC card and high-powered transceiver combo that enables PowerBooks to step up to 802.11g wireless networking with extended range. The combo kit consists of a Buffalo wireless networking card and 250 milliwatt (mW) transceiver. It costs US$250.
The transceiver is not much larger than an antenna, according to QuickerTek, and clips onto the PowerBook case. It connects to the PowerBook using the Buffalo-made PC card, which operates using 54Mbps 802.11g Wi-Fi wireless networking.
The solution is good for older PowerBook users who want to migrate from 802.11b “AirPort” connectivity to the faster 802.11g networking standard, or for users of more recent PowerBook vintages that want to connect to distant wireless networks — by comparison, a titanium-clad PowerBook’s internal networking card only outputs about 30mW of power.
It’s compatible with titanium and aluminum 15-inch PowerBook G4 models and 17-inch PowerBook G4s, according to QuickerTek (the 12-inch PowerBook and all iBook models lack a PC card slot).