RokAir: inexpensive WiFi USB adaptor for Mac
updated 03:05 pm EST, Mon December 10, 2007
RokAir for Macs
Rokland recently unveiled the RokAir WiFi USB adaptor for Macs using OS 10.3 or higher. The RokAir is billed as an Airport alternative, and uses 802.11b and g to communicate with routers. Rokland says that users can expect to see a 100- to 200-foot area of reception from the device, which is flash drive-shaped and simply plugs in to a vacant USB port. The Rokair comes with a built-in heatsink, so that it can be used for long periods of time without overheating. Rokland is selling the adaptor for $30, plus shipping, and is available now.
The Rokair is compatible with G3-based Macs, all the way up through to the current Intel machines, and works using the built-in Airport drivers in a Mac. Many PowerPC users don't have access to wireless technology due to Apple's discontinuation of the original Airport Revision E card, since the Airport Extreme card uses a different connector.
Spelling :)
12/10, 04:39pm reply
I think you meant adapter, not adaptor ;)
Guest
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Nov 1999
re: spelling
12/10, 04:45pm reply
Both spellings are correct, actually. According to some sources, the -er suffix refers to a person that adapts, while -or refers to a device that adapts. But The Columbia Guide to Standard American English says, "Adaptor is an infrequent variant spelling of adapter. Neither spelling is attached exclusively to persons or to things."
Despite that, I think I've seen the -or suffix used more commonly in technical writing than the -er suffix.
jimothy
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Sep 2000
Great post
12/10, 05:18pm reply
Thank you jimothy for clearing it up (no sarcasm here, I'm often the resident Grammar n*** here).
As for the subject at hand, I am curious what is the prospective market for a device that has rapidly dwindling potential user base (i.e. G3 and G4 Macs)?
Built-in Airport in all current Macs with screens (as well as the Mini) represent the majority of Macs out there; the remaining number is so small that I'm assuming the adaptor can be sold to Windows crowd as well, for the sake of the device maker.
vasic
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: May 2005
re: great post
12/10, 10:24pm reply
I agree that the market can't be very large for these devices. I have a MacPro that was purchased a little over a year ago that I chose to not order with an Airport card. It would have delayed the shipping by almost a month and I didn't have enough patience for that:)
Since it works with Apple's Airport software I believe there is extra incentive to buy this one over other 3rd party wireless adapters. If it were me I would just get the Airport kit from smalldogs or another such store and do the installation myself. I don't need another USB port taken up.
discotronic
Mac Elite
Joined: Oct 2003
I just bought one
12/11, 10:39am reply
Different brand, for my brother in-law who own a G3 iBook with no Airport card installed. For close to $150 on ebay for a used one $50 shipped was cheap.
mgpalma
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Sep 2000