Airport on MacPro not working

[malkavian64]

I have 2 mac laptops, one is a macbook the other a macpro I purchased recently (used but in good condition) from an associate. The macbook's airport function works decidedly differently from the macbook, yet both are about the same age and both have the same operating systems (snow leopard). My macbook' airport function detects more internet connections and gets a stronger signal. My Macpro detects far fewer and on the open connection of the building even detects a weaker signal than my macbook. Same connection very different responce from the airport function. Anybody have any ideas why?

[Turboladdade]

Different generations of MacBooks and MacBook Pros vary wildly in their wireless network reception abilities. The most often complaint from "Pros" relates to the aluminum case interfering with the signal. This was even more pronounced when PowerBook G4s were manufactured with titanium cases. It's not necessarily a sign of a problem, just two different hardware sets.

Also, be careful to refer to it as "MacBook Pro" and not "Mac Pro" which is the name of Apple's high end workstation towers and may confuse people.

Topic moved to MacBook, MacBook pro, iBook & PowerBook folder.

[malkavian64]

Thank you for the point of clarity regarding the names. However, it is a problem the signal I need to hook onto is the one in the building in which I reside. If the airport function does not work here the computer is useless to me. The MacBookPro was to be the home computer and the Macbook (smaller and more portable) was to be the on-the-road computer. Is there anything I can do to change and ameliorate this situation.
Thanks m64

[Turboladdade]

You might want to try one of the wireless range extender solutions available from most wireless router manufacturers. Place one of these or a similar device within range of the wireless network you're trying to reach. It'll then take that signal and retransmit it as if it were the router.

• Hawking HWREN1 Hi-Gain Wireless-300N Range Extender
• LINKSYS WRE54G Wireless-G Range Extender
• Netgear RangeMax WiFi Range Extender

Sounds like exactly what you'd need in your situation.

[chasm]

Didn't the Mac Pro come with a spot for an antenna for the wi-fi, or am I misremembering which model had that?

[Turboladdade]

Didn't the Mac Pro come with a spot for an antenna for the wi-fi, or am I misremembering which model had that?

I'm pretty sure he's talking about MacBook Pro... but yes, on Mac Pro both AirPort and Bluetooth are not standard and there are places to install them if Apple hasn't already.