Wireless N for Mac Mini

[jgbr]

Hi Folks
I am wanting to buy a Wireless N USB adapter for my newish Mac Mini.

Can i just buy a normal wireless N usb adapter (off the shelve) or do i have to hunt for something special?

Am looking at:

Belkin F5D8051UK 300Mbps Wireless USB 2.0 Network Adapter
Linksys WUSB300N 300Mbps Wireless USB 2.0 Network Adapter

I wonder if just plugging it in would work?

 

[Ripmax2000]

Are there any Apple Authorised Service Providers in your area?
Because through them, you can buy the internal Airport N card for a MBP and it fits perfectly inside the Mac Mini, so you'll have N without needed an external card.
An Apple Store won't do this for you though, you will have to go through a Service Provider.

 

[26139]

Hmm...

Isn't the installation for that a little complicated? I remembering it not being easy to even install ram in a mini.

 

[bigandy]

Are there any Apple Authorised Service Providers in your area?
Because through them, you can buy the internal Airport N card for a MBP and it fits perfectly inside the Mac Mini, so you'll have N without needed an external card.
An Apple Store won't do this for you though, you will have to go through a Service Provider.

It'd be expensive


To the OP - while it's a cheap option, to do this, most Wireless USB sticks don't just work.

My girlfriend had one for her iBook (802.11G, not -N), and the config utility was horrific.

The best bet is to either try, and see - especially if the retailer has a good returns policy.

The other option is the Apple Store online - they used to offer some good wireless USB sticks. Or were they just Bluetooth? I'm confusing myself now

 

[plinden]

It depends on whether there are drivers for them. Most aren't compatible. There are a couple that are, but I don't believe Belkin or Linksys USB adapters are (last time I checked).

The only one I can think of offhand is http://www.quickertek.com/products/n_nano.php

I believe there's at least one more, but I can't remember what it is.

Most (or all) USB wireless N adapters are 2.4GHz only, so you don't get to use the 5GHz band (lower interference, less signal drop with distance)

 

[Eidorian]

http://macwireless.com/

Brushing up on your Mac mini disassembly skills wouldn't hurt either.