Installing Airport in G4 Mini

[fiveightandten]

I know this came as a built to order option, but if the machine doesn't have it, is it possible to add an airport card to a G4 mini?

-Nick

 

[dtravis7]

You can purchase the parts and install both the Airport Express and Bluetooth. Here is a link to a site that sells the upgrade kit.

http://www.mac-pro.com/s.nl/it.A/id.1501/.f?sc=2&category=333

 

[fiveightandten]

Thanks for the reply. So the airport card will just pop in? Is there a pre-existing slot in the unit for it...just pop it open, and slide the card in?


-Nick

 

[Screwball6986]

As far as I can tell its not gunna be that easy I am looking into doing it myself...

 

[dtravis7]

It's not like a normal Mac where the Airport or Airport Express just plugs in a slot, but not impossible either. There are instructions all over the new on how to take the Mini apart and the Kit i pointed you to has instructions on how to install it once it's apart.

 

[fiveightandten]

As far as I can tell its not gunna be that easy I am looking into doing it myself...

Hmmm, that doesn't sound very encouraging. ; )

It's not like a normal Mac where the Airport or Airport Express just plugs in a slot, but not impossible either. There are instructions all over the new on how to take the Mini apart and the Kit i pointed you to has instructions on how to install it once it's apart.

I'll have to pop it open at some point and take a look. It's actually my girlfriend's computer, but I figured it'd be worth it to throw an airport card in it for her.

I was hoping to find a cheap one on eBay or something. I guess i'd have to grab a kit so no mishaps find their way into the install process. Thanks for the heads up though...i'll poke around on google and see what I can find as far as installation info. I just wanted to be sure the machine will take a card before buying one.

-Nick

 

[fiveightandten]

For future reference, here's what the deal is...at least as far as I can tell from a few minutes of googling.

The minis that didn't come with airport cards stocked from the factory need more than just an airport card to become wifi capable.

The card plugs into a daughter board, which is seperate from the main board in the unit. Non-airport minis don't have the board installed, so if you want airport, you need to get a hold of that board as well and install it.

I haven't clarified if that link above comes with the daughter board or not.

Thanks again for the replies.

-Nick

 

[dtravis7]

This URL shows the whole kit with the Daughter Card and the works.

http://www.welovemacs.com/m9870za.html


http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00081A2UO/?tag=macforums0e4-20

 

[MartinS]

A good place to find information on upgrading the mini among other issues is www.123macmini.com. It's a forum similar to this but specialising in the mini.

 

[fiveightandten]

This URL shows the whole kit with the Daughter Card and the works.

http://www.welovemacs.com/m9870za.html


http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00081A2UO/?tag=macforums0e4-20

Excellent, thanks for the link. I'm not sure it's worth the money and effort, seeing as the new CD machines aren't all that expensive and are definitely superior. But this is good info to know.

A good place to find information on upgrading the mini among other issues is www.123macmini.com. It's a forum similar to this but specialising in the mini.

Thanks, I had found that in a google search a while back, but forgot about it.

-Nick