Mac Mini - Wireless networking options

[GeeH]

Hi guys, is the only way to enable wireless networking in a Mac Mini by the installation of an Airport card? If so, how difficult is it to install if I buy one myself.

 

[FocusAndEarnIt]

Yeah, that's the only way.

I wouldn't think it would be too hard at all, but I think they use a smaller APE card and I'm not sure where you would get it. But, I'm not sure.

 

[GeeH]

Thankfully you can buy the cards direct on the mac store.

 

[mrichmon]

Hi guys, is the only way to enable wireless networking in a Mac Mini by the installation of an Airport card? If so, how difficult is it to install if I buy one myself.

There are a small number of USB wireless adapters that will work. But you are generally better off adding the internal card.

 

[livingfortoday]

Hi guys, is the only way to enable wireless networking in a Mac Mini by the installation of an Airport card? If so, how difficult is it to install if I buy one myself.

I'm pretty sure you can't just plug in a card inside, though. You need the whole BT/AE connector setup in there. The Apple store near me had refurb units of those going for only $49.99 down from $99.99. You could also just go with a USB dongle, which is what I'm trying to do on an older G4 Mini.

 

[mrichmon]

I'm pretty sure you can't just plug in a card inside, though. You need the whole BT/AE connector setup in there. The Apple store near me had refurb units of those going for only $49.99 down from $99.99. You could also just go with a USB dongle, which is what I'm trying to do on an older G4 Mini.

Yes. There were two configurations for the airport mezzanine board in the G4 mini's. One configuration was used in the early mini's and used two separate boards -- one for bluetooth and another for airport. The later mini's used a single board to support both airport and bluetooth. These boards are not interchangable.

Apple used to sell a kit including everything you needed to add airport to your mini. Often this included installation at the genius bar. I'm not sure if Apple still stocks these kits.

Third party parts suppliers like www.mac-pro.com stock the kits but you need to check that you get the right kit for your machine.

 

[GeeH]

Any idea of any particular dongle type USB wireless sticks that work with the Mini please?

 

[livingfortoday]

Any idea of any particular dongle type USB wireless sticks that work with the Mini please?

I've heard that the D-Link DWL-122 works if you get the 1.4.7 driver for it. I think that's available on Macupdate, there's some other threads about this around. Some people say it works, others say it doesn't - seems like luck of the draw. Lots of people say the Linksys WET11 wireless bridge works as well, though mine never seemed to.