Best way to make a mini wireless ??

We may have to split up our office - meaning my desk and Mini would move to another room -- meaning I would be remote from our DSL node and wireless router ---------- so I already have 802.11g router which I use for my PowerBook --- the Mini is currently on wired LAN to the router


So whats the best way to make my Mini connect to our existing wireless hub ?? Does Apple make an upgrade ?? Or use 3rd party stuff

Thanks !!!!

You can add an internal airport card, but it'll cost a lot.

You can use a USB wireless adapter it is a quick easy installiation... something like this: USB Wireless Router It was the first thing that showed up on google, but there were plenty of links.

PowerBookG4 said:

USB Wireless Router

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He needs a wireless adapter, not a wireless router. When looking for a wireless adapter pay close attention to make sure they support OS X, a have noticed a lot of external wifi adapters don't, like Dlink who makes a really nice small adapter but doesn't provide OS X support.

lol oops that is actually a typo... the link brings him to an adapter

PowerBookG4 said:

You can use a USB wireless adapter it is a quick easy installiation... something like this: USB Wireless Router It was the first thing that showed up on google, but there were plenty of links.

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From that page:

There are no MAC drivers.

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That doesn't necessarily mean it won't work, but its likely not worth the effort.
IMO, the best way to go is the AirPort Extreme card. You can get a refurbed one for $69 on the Apple Store site.

D3v1L80Y said:

IMO, the best way to go is the AirPort Extreme card. You can get a refurbed one for $69 on the Apple Store site.

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To get that working in the mini you'll also need the mezzanine board and antenna, which will cost about $60 together. You can find them at http://www.mac-pro.com/

mynameis said:

To get that working in the mini you'll also need the mezzanine board and antenna, which will cost about $60 together. You can find them at http://www.mac-pro.com/

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Pardon my possible ignorance, but the the Mini is AirPort Extreme ready. Why would one need anything more than an AirPort Extreme card?

yea i thought that you could just plug in a AE card and the wire be installed already

Couldn't he also plug it into an airport express and that recieves the wireless signal?

JMan09 said:

Couldn't he also plug it into an airport express and that recieves the wireless signal?

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Yes he could do this if the network is set up correctly and the only easy way to do that is have a Airport extreme on the other side. Now I doubt his company is gonig to want to upgrade the wireless network to apple just so he can go online.. but yes this is possible.. the airport express cost ~$150

D3v1L80Y said:

Pardon my possible ignorance, but the the Mini is AirPort Extreme ready. Why would one need anything more than an AirPort Extreme card?

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No it is not. To add Airport Extreme on the mini, an additional Mezzanine card (as stated before) is needed, which also holds the Bluetooth module. And the antenna has to be installed as well.
Unlike all other Macs, the Mac mini is not immediately Airport-ready, and Apple usually doesn't sell the mezzanine card and antennas separately. You have to bring your mini to an authorised Apple service, and they can install you what you need...for money, of course.

Alternatives can be found if you look around. This one is 802.11b. Perhaps that fills your requirements. I bet you'd find a similar G device with some research.

http://www.macwireless.com/html/products/11g_11b_cards/11bUSB.html

D3v1L80Y said:

Why would one need anything more than an AirPort Extreme card?

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Thats just how it is built, I opened my mini, there is no place for an airport card, but I do see the place for the mezzanine board would go. Apple site is down now, but I think it is listed as Airport Extreme Optional, not AirPort Extreme Ready.

mynameis said:

... I think it is listed as Airport Extreme Optional, not AirPort Extreme Ready.

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Come to think of it, you're right. It never was listed as AirPort Extreme Ready...good call.
Kinda sucky, if you ask me, but then again I would personally never buy a Mini anyway. The eMac is a much better option if you ask me, but that is for another thread I am sure :black: