I just started searching around and there are several versions and generations...( the 'hockey puck', 'square', and 'skyscraper' models)...
My question is: Are there specific specs I should look for?... is there a version that would be too new to work with OS 9?... or would any version work just fine? Please advise!
Assuming (since I don't know for sure) that you have a P-Book with an Airport card in it, any Airport base will talk to it.
BUT
I suggest you look for an older Base station closer to the age of the P-Book. Why? To avoid possible issues with Airport Utility when you set it up.
This is one of those things that probably no one knows for sure that doesn't work for Apple (well, maybe Diehard or Mactron knows).
OS9 only supports WEP Wi-Fi encryption which, as everybody knows, is completely vulnerable to hacking by every six-year-old on your street, and they're all just hanging around outside your window waiting to steal your identity, so if you must do your banking on your ancient laptop in OS9, do it only after bedtime.
Again, this is cautionary only, 'cause I'm not 100% certain but: Newer Base Stations will want you to use newer versions on Airport Utility and at some point,
those newer versions stopped allowing you to select WEP at all. I therefore recommend you go with an older Base Station to avoid possible issues. That doesn't mean the old, old pucks only but definitely not the most recent stuff.
Anyone know more / better about this?
Besides, the older ones are cheaper and WEP tops out at 54Mbps anyway, so new hotshot hardware will probably be a waste of $$$.