PC to Mac wireless network

[monkeychoo]

Im moving back to my parent house, who have finally aquired broadband and we're looking at getting a wireless router to use both of our computers on. I understand that for a wireless router to work you need to install a card into your computer, theirs is a PC, mine is a Mac, does this mean I need to shell out loadsa cash for a Mac-approved c ard? (I think it might be called airport?) or can we just get standard cards, drop them in and go? Sorry if this is a bit vague, Im not very hardware literate!!!

[badams]

"airport" is Apple's name for their wireless technology, but it is fully compatible with "PC" wireless routers etc.  Airport extreme for example, is the same as the wireless standard 802.11g which communicates at 54mbs - more than fast enough for most people! Some Macs have airports built-in while others need a card. (And yes, the Apple branded cards will be expensive!)  Depending on your Mac, you may or may not be able to use 3rd party cards.

One option available is to buy a broadband firewall/router which has wired ports, as well as wireless.  You could then connect your Mac to the internet via a cable, and still be free to roam the house with the PC.

[fo3nix]

as long as a card supports the WiFi standard (which all Apple computers do), it'll work fine.

This also applies for the router and PC card. just make sure it says WiFi on it, and as badams says, 802.11g.

Note that if your Mac was bought in the last year or so, it may already have WiFi built-in.