usb wireless dongle for imac

[platypus]

I've got no clue at all when it comes to using an apple mac (admittedly I've only tried once), but my girlfriend wants to set up her imac on her houses network. It's an old device, and I'm not entirely sure what o/s it uses.

I've been reading about airport/extreme, but I'm just wondering if there are any simple USB dongles that can provide decent wireless using a belkin router, or if she'd need to fork out the ridiculous prices apple charge.

 

[Hate]

Most iMacs have built in wireless, how old is it?

 

[electric ant]

Which iMac does it look like from the list here?

http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=301724

When you're on the mac, if you click on the apple icon > About This Mac, it will bring up a box which will tell you which version of Mac OSX its running.

Not sure about macs and wireless tho.. sorry.

 

[platypus]

Most iMacs have built in wireless, how old is it?

Very . Looking at that list I've no clue which one it is; I'll have to look tonight.

 

[Chris1712]

D-link is pretty much the only manufacturer wih mac os support i think, and even that is osx onwards iirc.

 

[platypus]

I've been reliably informed (which means she's probably wrong) that its OSX 10.3.

Reckon this will work? Can't actually find anything that says "works on Mac OSX". Looking under their Apple/Mac section it doesnt appear that there are any usb2 devices.

 

[ilikedthecore]

Wireless USB dongles are pretty thin on the ground for Macs as far as I know. I think you would be better off going for a wireless-ethernet bridge, no drivers needed so you can pretty much take your pick of what's available.

 

[Hate]

Aye, thats a good idea. A bridge goes into the ethernet port on the back of the mac then bridges to the wireless network. No drivers required

 

[Doug]

There's a chance you may be able to install an Airport or Airport Extreme card inside the iMac. You'll need to check Apple's site to check compatibility.

 

[platypus]

Aye, thats a good idea. A bridge goes into the ethernet port on the back of the mac then bridges to the wireless network. No drivers required

Not seen those before, I'll have a look - any recommendations?

And she's keen to avoid the Airport card as they're expensive. Hmm, the bridges dont seem that cheap either!

 

[FreeStream]

Any wireless router should do the trick?

Just set it to bridge mode. Thats what my Aiport Extreme is doing, except its just through the network.

 

[Deleted member 651465]

Not seen those before, I'll have a look - any recommendations?

And she's keen to avoid the Airport card as they're expensive. Hmm, the bridges dont seem that cheap either!

I was actually in the process of offering you my Ethernet bridge (Belkin jobby) last night when I had a power cut

Anyway, if you're interested (£22.50) I can put it on the Member's Market to make it official.

 

[platypus]

I'm interested, let me test this USB dongle I've got first and get back to you .

Simple as plugging the bridge into the ethernet port, and the Mac configures everything right?