Which USB Wireless Adapter for use with Mac Mini?

Ghost in the Shell · 10 Jun 2006 at 11:41

hi i need a usb wirelss adapter can anyone recommend any in particular?? preferrably not too expensive either

OllyM · 10 Jun 2006 at 12:09

Most of them don't work properly, and the drivers are useless if they do work at all... they'll randomly break with OS upgrades etc.

A wireless Ethernet bridge would be a much better idea.

Ghost in the Shell · 10 Jun 2006 at 12:12

OllyM said:
Most of them don't work properly, and the drivers are useless if they do work at all... they'll randomly break with OS upgrades etc.

A wireless Ethernet bridge would be a much better idea.

thats a bit poo really - how much is a bridge adapter?

RobH · 10 Jun 2006 at 12:41

You can get them for about £40 which is a similar price to a decent USB adapter really, maybe cheaper depending where you buy it. I's basically a Wireless adapter that's connected to your computer via ethernet rather than USB which saves the need for any drivers. They are sometimes advertised as "wireless gaming adapters" because games consoles lack USB and instead use their ethernet port.

Ghost in the Shell · 10 Jun 2006 at 12:45

RobH said:
You can get them for about £40 which is a similar price to a decent USB adapter really, maybe cheaper depending where you buy it. I's basically a Wireless adapter that's connected to your computer via ethernet rather than USB which saves the need for any drivers. They are sometimes advertised as "wireless gaming adapters" because games consoles lack USB and instead use their ethernet port.

ah cool thatll be fine and save me using a usb port too! any recommendations which one to get?

Matt · 10 Jun 2006 at 13:00

Can't you buy the internal wireless board for the Mini?

Ghost in the Shell · 10 Jun 2006 at 13:35

Matt said:
Can't you buy the internal wireless board for the Mini?

yes i have a card here but i believe you need an antenna as well. i dont fancy opening it either so im looking at other options

Matt · 10 Jun 2006 at 14:03

Ghost in the Shell said:
yes i have a card here but i believe you need an antenna as well. i dont fancy opening it either so im looking at other options

I installed one in my parents Mini, it was VERY easy, a lot simpler than i thought it would be

Also, OS X picked it up straight away when turned on!

There are full instuctions online for the installation, and they cover every little step to install it.

Ghost in the Shell · 10 Jun 2006 at 14:08

Matt said:
I installed one in my parents Mini, it was VERY easy, a lot simpler than i thought it would be Also, OS X picked it up straight away when turned on!

There are full instuctions online for the installation, and they cover every little step to install it.

mate will you mail me (email in trust) with some more info and the correct parts i need etc..

thanks

Matt · 10 Jun 2006 at 14:15

Ghost in the Shell said:
mate will you mail me (email in trust) with some more info and the correct parts i need etc..

thanks

I'll post here so everyone can see

You need an airport upgrade kit:

New one.

I think that's the old one.

This isn't the guide i used, but it shows how to do it anyway:
http://www.ifixit.com/Guide/82.11.0.html

and this is the one i used (Apple service manual):
http://www.repairyourmac.com/mac_mini_sm.pdf

OllyM · 10 Jun 2006 at 14:20

It depends what revision Mac mini it is... only if it's a 1.33 or 1.5GHz model (the unannounced upgraded models) will that fit.

Ghost in the Shell · 10 Jun 2006 at 15:20

OllyM said:
It depends what revision Mac mini it is... only if it's a 1.33 or 1.5GHz model (the unannounced upgraded models) will that fit.

its the 1.42 G4 PowerPC with superdrive

i have just bought from ebay an airport extreme card but i can see thts not enough. can i buy the other bits seperately or do i just sell what i have and get a new kit as pictured.

the actual item i have here is :

Airport Extreme Card
Part Number: M8881Z/A (model A1027)

Matt · 10 Jun 2006 at 15:54

Ghost in the Shell said:
its the 1.42 G4 PowerPC with superdrive

i have just bought from ebay an airport extreme card but i can see thts not enough. can i buy the other bits seperately or do i just sell what i have and get a new kit as pictured.

the actual item i have here is :

Airport Extreme Card
Part Number: M8881Z/A (model A1027)

Looking at the picture in my post above, it looks like the Airport Extreme Card is one for more than just the Mini. For the Mini is appears that you need the blue board that your card slots into.