Simplest way to add wifi to my 2008 Mac Pro?

[ventro]

I have an early 2008 Mac pro and it doesn't have Wifi.

What's the simplest way to add wifi to it? This looks like it will work, but looks difficult to install.

Any other ideas?

 

[Dominic49]

simplest would be a usb wifi adapter but wouldn't be very integrated...

 

[ashman70]

Its either that or finding a USB dongle that will work on OSX, I don't know of another way.

 

[ActionableMango]

OWC sells Mac-compatible wi-fi USB dongles. That would be easiest.
http://eshop.macsales.com/shop/wireless/

Second easiest would be to have Apple Store add internal Wi-Fi for you.

 

[kevink2]

Another option would be an external wireless bridge that you connect via the ethernet port. I have one that I connect my Blu Ray player and network printer to. I used to have a PC attached to it before I bought my Mac Pro.

 

[snberk103]

Ask the network forum whether you can attach an Airport Express to your MP (via ethernet) and then use the AE as a bridge to your WiFi.

I haven't looked it up, but if I was considering a USB/ethernet dongle solution I would I would confirm that the USB speed wouldn't throttle the throughput. Like I said, I have no idea what the relative speeds are between USB and WiFi.... but I would look at them incase there is a surprise.

 

[alphaod]

I have an early 2008 Mac pro and it doesn't have Wifi.

What's the simplest way to add wifi to it? This looks like it will work, but looks difficult to install.

Any other ideas?

That's the wrong product for starters.

What you want is this:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/682954-REG/Apple_MB988Z_A_AirPort_Extreme_Card_for.html

Installation is very easy. It's located under the first two HDD bays (if you have drives installed in them).

Simply lay your computer down, remove the first two drives, and you'll see the card slot and antennae just hanging there disconnected; just slide in the card, screw it in with the included screws, attach antennae; it should work immediately.

 

[zapnyc]

Right this moment, I have an Airport Express connected via ethernet cable to my 2009 MacPro. The AE is linked wirelessly to my main router. I suspect it's not quite as fast as a direct link, but it works great otherwise.

Nevertheless, I want the real deal. But that B&H link, above, is so much cheaper than the Airport card I found on macpartsonline.com.... thanks!

 

[ColdCase]

Notice that B&H part is listed for the 2009, not 2008. There is an airport card slot in the 2008, however.

Here's one on eBay:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Airport-Ext...rnal_Network_Cards&hash=item20cc69e0c6&_uhb=1

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Airport-Ext...rnal_Network_Cards&hash=item3f1e455970&_uhb=1

 

[SDAVE]

Notice that B&H part is listed for the 2009, not 2008. There is an airport card slot in the 2008, however.

Here's one on eBay:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Airport-Ext...rnal_Network_Cards&hash=item20cc69e0c6&_uhb=1

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Airport-Ext...rnal_Network_Cards&hash=item3f1e455970&_uhb=1

This is the best option and it's not that hard to install these.

There are plenty of guides online, plus, you will get integrated WiFI and gain a USB port by not using a USB wifi dongle.

 

[karsten]

i had an issue installing a wifi card to my 2008 MP in that it was a 2006 specific model wifi card, it ended up showing up as a 'bluetooth PAN' device in networking preferences. however, the wifi icon in the menubar allowed me to select the network and connect successfully. see if you can find a 2008 model wifi card specifically, might be hard though

 

[adam9c1]

Engenius had a good USB nic that works well with OSX.

 

[Giuly]

Apple MB363ZA/A AirPort Extreme Wireless Upgrade Kit for Mac Pro. Comes with an installation manual, DVD and all necessary parts to install it.

It's 802.11n, and works with all Mac Pros.

 

[akadmon]

Why Botherwith Wifi? You can use Netgear's Powerline to create a " virtual" Ethernet cable to any power outlet in your house. Always on, secure, faster than wifi.

http://www.amazon.com/Netgear-XAVB5001-Powerline-Network-Adapter/dp/B004DVEW8I/ref=pd_sim_e_4

 

[chomomo]

Tp-link tl-wdn4800

I was on the same boat a couple of months ago. I put the TP-LINK TL-WDN4800 wifi card on my workstation and it works way better than apples wifi cards and alot more economical. And it works out of the box on SL and Lion.


http://www.amazon.com/dp/B007GMPZ0A/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=tonymacx86com-20

 

[kellen]

Thread necro, original post Jan 2012.

 

[energyboy]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Airport-Ext...rnal_Network_Cards&hash=item3f1e455970&_uhb=1

I see that this listing is still active but the WIFI card looks like a knockoff or something. I'm also looking for a wifi card for my 2008 Mac Pro.

Anyone if I should just opt for this instead:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0012YYITW/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A4RI3XKZXSHQ5

That looks like the official WIFI card from Apple.

Thoughts?

 

[Robert Davies]

I see that this listing is still active but the WIFI card looks like a knockoff or something. I'm also looking for a wifi card for my 2008 Mac Pro.

Anyone if I should just opt for this instead:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0012YYITW/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A4RI3XKZXSHQ5

That looks like the official WIFI card from Apple.

Thoughts?

The card you're referring to as 'a knockoff or something' is in LA, and has a full description of the cards's capabalities. The Amazon listing has 3CLeader as the supplier, based in Hong Kong, with a stock generic image in the description.

Your choice.