Mac mini wireless options

I have a pre-Intel Mac mini, early 2005 vintage, without an Apple Extreme Card pre-installed. My iBook G4 (and the MacBook I plan to purchase soon) both have the Card, and I want to get my Mac mini ready for both high-speed Internet use and a potential wireless network within my space. Is the only option to have the Extreme Card installed into my Mac mini, or is there an adapter of some sort that will accomplish the same thing? And if there is such an adapter, will it work with the AirPort Base Station or AirPort Express Station?
iBook G4 12-inch screen, Mac mini   Mac OS X (10.4.6)  

There are not a lot of supported USB wireless adapters for OS X (I think I've seen one, and it was well over $100). You could buy a wireless bridge, like the kind often used for game consoles. They can be had for $60 or so. Less if you don't mind 802.11b only:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16873999101
Inelegant compared with getting the airport installed, but cheaper.

Similar Messages

  • Can i connect my iMac to a mac mini (wirelessly) and control the mac mini display on my TV?

    Can i connect my iMac to a mac mini (wirelessly) and control the mac mini display on my TV?

    Look up "screen sharing" in help
    You can control your mini (which I am assuming you are hooking to your TV) complete from your iMac.
    After you set up screen sharing, you can go to the finder, under the "go" menu choose "Connect to server" and then browse.  Choose your mac mini's name, and look for the "Screen Sharing" button.
    Choose Apple menu > System Preferences, and then click Sharing.
    Select the Screen Sharing checkbox.
    To specify who can share your screen, select one of the following:
    All users:
    Select this if you want to allow any user with a user account on your computer to share your screen.
    Only these users:
    Select this if you want to restrict screen sharing to specific users.Click Add at the bottom of the Users list and select a user from Users & Groups (accounts you have set up in Users & Groups preferences), Network Users (users on your network), or your Address Book. Or click New Person and enter a name and password to create a sharing account. Then select that user from the list, and then click Select.
    Click Computer Settings and set the following options:
    Anyone may request permission to control screen:
    Select this to allow anyone on your network to request to share your screen.
    VNC viewers may control screen with password:
    Select this and enter a password that VNC viewer applications can enter in order to control your screen.It’s recommended that you not set a password if you only share this computer’s screen using the built-in screen sharing viewer in Mac OS X.

  • Just bought a new mac mini, wireless keyboard, and track pad. My track pad will not synch. All advise I have been given is to change items in the setting menu, but I cant because I still have to get through the setup!!

    Just bought a new mac mini, wireless keyboard, and track pad. My track pad will not synch. All advise I have been given is to change items in the setting menu, but I cant because I still have to get through the setup!!

    The power button for the Trackpad is on the right hand end of the battery case. Press that button to initiate the pairing process. On the top of the Trackpad just above the power button is a tiny green light (you probably cannot see it unless it is lighted). That light will indicate ehther or not the Trackpad is discoverable. If the Trackpad has discoverable the green light will blink on and off. If it does not pair within 3 minutes you will have to press the power button again to re-initiate the pairing process. Once your Trackpad has paired, you can just leave it on and it will pair automatically when you reboot your Mac.
    If you are having problems pairing, try turning off any other Bluetooth devices within 30 or so feet of your Mac mini. That includes other Computers, iPhones, iPads, etc. that may be in the area. Once your Trackpad has pairedwith your mini, you don't have to be concerned about other Bluetooth devices.
    One other hint, I find that although the Wireless Trackpad does not eat batteries as fast as the Magic Mouse it still uses more than the Wireless Keyboard. It is a good idea to keep a supply of AA batteries around. I have used Apple's Rechargable batteries, but found they did not last that long before needing to be recharged. I have had the best battery life from Duracell Quantum batteries.

  • What options for making a mac mini wireless?

    Is the oinly way of doing this getting an airport card installed into the mac mini? is there any usb or thernet style wireless device that would allow the mac mini to access out wifi adsl router?
    best
    tommy banana

    Tommy Banana,
    It would be helpful to know what type of wireless system you are running now that you want the Mac Mini to join.
    Do you have an Airport Extreme Base Station?
    or may an Airport Express Base Station?
    If you have either of the above, then you could make just about any computer join your network by adding another Airport Express Base Station and have it joining the network in WDS mode. The WDS mode will allow an ethernet connection between the Mac Mini and the Airport Express Base Station thus giving you a wireless connection to your network so to speak. No need for an internal wireless card which isn't easy to add on the Mac Mini without splitting the case.
    Here are instructions for setting up Airport Base Stations in WDS mode.
    http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=107454
    You Mac Mini would be hooked up like the Remote Base Station in the bottom of the photo. The photo shows an Extreme but the Express will do the same.

  • Help with Connecting Playstation 3 to mac mini wireless.....

    Well, I finally figured out how to share my wireless connection from my mac mini throughout my house.... it wasnt even in the network area, you have to go over to sharing in systems menu, and set up "internet sharing" through your ethernet port... after that it opens up this little mac into a wireless access point to your local ethernet throughout...... but............. even after my iphone, mac, windows laptop, etc.... log on easily... I cannot, Cannot!! get my ps3 to register an IP address. i have everything set up right, and thinking it was because i was ethernet linked through my dads router also downstairs "the main router of the house" and it was blocking me..... i did some studies... well i had another wireless router in the house.. so i plugged my ethernet into it, activated it and set it up.... it works.... then i try the ps3.... voilllaa it works...... so its not the main router blocking..... Why does a shared internet to ethernet mac system not understand what to do with a playstation 3 wirelessly???

    My Mac mini is connected to the internet by Ethernet cable to my ISP's Arris gateway. I am sharing the Ethernet connection to two iPod Touches via AirPort from my Mac mini. This is how I configured the Mac to share the connection;
    1. In Sys Prefs/Sharing I highlighted Internet Sharing (do not check the box)
    2. Share your connection from: Ethernet (from the dropdown menu)
    3. To computers using: AirPort (check the little box)
    4. Press the button AirPort Options...
    5. Name your Network
    6. I use Automatic for the channel
    7. I encrypt my network using a 40-bit WEP key
    8. For a non-Apple device you must use only a 5 alphanumeric character, 40-bit WEP password or only a 13 alphanumeric character 128-bit WEP password
    9. Press OK
    10. Check the box for Internet Sharing
    11. Answer any dialog boxes that pop up
    Dah•veed

  • Connecting Mac Mini wirelessly to PC router

    Hi all, I have recently purchased a MAC mini. Using the network setup assistant, I am able to see the wireless network I have setup in my home. It is password protected and the password has been accepted on my Mac. I am unable to connect so I open up the Airport admin utility and the 'Select Base Station' window does not list a base station. I don't know what to do at this point to try to correct the problem.

    Which wireless base station do you have?
    One of the problems with WEP is that the actual standard relies on a 10 character HEX key for 40bit WEP and a 26 character HEX key for 128bit WEP.
    In order to make things easier for people, vendors use certain algorithms to convert simple alphanumeric passwords (or passphrases) into HEX keys, thus enabling people to use simple memorable WEP password rather than lengthy HEX keys.
    The problem is that different vendors use different algorithms to generate the HEX key and therefore a ASCII password on an AEBS will be hashed differently on a Netgear client and vice versa.
    One thing is a 13 character 128 bit WEP password will be hashed by all vendors in the same way (if you use 40bit WEP then a 5 character password is required).
    Though sometimes not even that works and the HEX key must be used regardless.
    AirPort: Joining an encrypted wireless network
    http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=106424
    Choosing a password for networks that use Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP)
    http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=108058

  • Mac Mini Wireless Networking Problems

    I have a mac mini G4 since summer of 2005, when i first got it i could use it wireless with a new wireless router i bought with it ( ZyXEL P-335WT) with sercuity via Airport. later the connection would always disconnect and soon i could not connect with sercuity so i have turn it off now. Now the Airport connection has got wrost, once in a while i can connect to internet with it but now if i look in the settings it says connected to router but no ip address to connect to internet. So i change over and over again but nothing works, there is also a pop-up that says IP address in use when there isn't anything using it. Currently i have a pc, pocket pc, and a nokia n80 connected there. My Mac Mini came with Airport Card and it is still untouched. Can someone help me

    Try turning off your router for at least 10-15 minutes. Then reapply power and now see if you can get a stable connection with your G4.
    If you still get the popup that the IP address is already taken, then you may want to check your router's DHCP setting, specifically the range of private addresses that it is providing to the clients.
    If your G4's provided IP address is in this range (it should be), and you still get the popup, then try setting your G4's IP address to an address outside of that range. For example, if your router is providing private addresses of 192.168.1.100 thru 192.168.1.150...set your G4 with a static IP address of 192.168.1.175. If this works, then there may be something amiss with your router.

  • New Mac Mini - wireless keyboard issue

    I bought a new mini and wireless keyboard and mouse. The mouse works but the keyboard is not being recognized. Any help? It is a new mini so I cannot get onto the preferences and I do not have another mac keyboard.

    Scrounged a Microsoft USB mouse and plugged into Mac Mini. Allowed me to click through to new pane telling me I had no keyboard connected, please connect one. Well, that's progress.
    Took a number of attempts. Eventually it saw and displayed my KB's Bluetooth ID, but then failed. It was almost "reluctant," like it was trying to get out of work. This is not behavior I am used to from non-sentient digital equipment. Unless... never mind.
    With a functioning KB and mouse I finally was able to open Lion and System Preferences and discover the DEFAULT trackpad settings DISABLED clicks! I assume Apple has a method to what seems madness. Otherwise those Stuxnet saboteurs have been moonlighting in Cupertino to devise an out-of-the-box fail.
    I didn't start out an Apple fanboy but since 2007 their products have turned me into one. Yet I was so disappointed today I planned to return the Mac Mini, KB and Magic Trackpad tomorrow. My Apple Store is nearby. I kinda knew that USB end run would work, but I was insulted they made me resort to such a kludge.
    I cannot imagine why that initial Bluetooth pairing procedure hassle remains without some kind of service bulletin addressing known problems. So many people have commented on it over these boards. I flatter myself to conclude Apple does so many other things right that once in a while things get past them.
    As usual, now that I command Lion OSX on an HDTV from the couch, I'll be keeping this Mac Mini as part of my home's Apple suite, crossing my fingers against Bluetooth issues.

  • IPod Touch & Mac Mini wireless

    I have:
    Mac Mini
    iPod Touch
    Wired network.
    I have read that this can be done, but cannot figure out how to do it properly.
    Need: Have the iPod touch use the Mac Mini as a wireless router/station so that I can browse the web from within 10 feet of the mac mini.
    problem: I cannot get the iPod to pick up any web sites, but I can see the wireless share.
    Can someone point me to a clear set of instructions on how to share out the mac mini so that an iPod touch can connect and browse the web?

    Is the firewall enabled on the Mac mini? If so, you will need to enable Personal Web Sharing on the Mac mini. This punches a hole through the firewall so that the normal web browsing port is accessible via the shared connection.

  • Pairing Mac Mini & Wireless keyboard

    I am pairing a new mac mini with a wireless keyboard on my tv but the two can't seem to find each other...  Any tips?

    see > Troubleshooting wireless mouse and keyboard issues
    Unpair it from your iPad and work thru the keyboard sections of the above article.

  • Mac Mini - best option for adding video streaming to existing HDTV setup?

    Hello, new to the Forum but not to Macs - currently enjoying my 1yr old iMac, far cry from original 128k Mac I bought in 1984...
    I am interested in adding streaming video capability to my home theatre setup, which consists of a Pioneer PRO-FHD1 50" (full 1080p) monitor, Rotel RSX1057 receiver driving 5.1 surround, and Samsung BD-P1200 BluRay DVD player that is not internet-capable. Options are: replace the Samsung with an internet-capable BluRay player, add an Apple TV, or go for a Mac Mini altogether. I am leaning towards the Mac Mini as I might as well have a full-fledged computer that does what I want, and a lot more. However in reading some of the posts here I see that some people are having all kinds of screen resolution and signal issues, others seem to have it sorted out. Any advice appreciated.

    Welcome to  Discussions!
    The mini as a media center is an excellent idea in general. You've already gathered that the most critical concern is the compatibility of your particular TV, although it isn't really as bad as it may seem here. Remember, judging based purely on the threads here is like making an assessment of the viability of the human race by looking at patients in hospitals.
    If you can research a little to see if anyone has tried hooking your model of TV up to a mini already, you may find out if it should work smoothly or not. Once that matter is addressed, I can attest to the great results of using a mini as a media center. I Strongly suggest Plex as a great application to enhance the mini as a media center.

  • Mac Mini Upgrade Options

    Greetings All,
    I've been thinking about upgrading my Mac Mini, and am curious to know what options exist for somebody wanting to improve their RAM, and/or chipset/motherboard, and/or video card.
    At present, my system is using the original 1.66GHz Intel Core Duo, with 1GB of 667MHz DD2 SDRAM. I'd be looking to maximize my system now, so that I'm able to more than adequately run future applications, (such as Leopard or Spore).
    So if anybody has any ideas, by all means, let me hear them.

    There's very little you can officially do to your mini to upgrade it, but a fair bit you can do if you're prepared to get stuck in with putty knives, screwdriver and a bit of time. It is possible, in addition to maxing out the RAM to 2Gb in that model, to upgrade the CPU, swap out the original hard drive for a larger/faster one and replace the optical drive with a DVD burner if it doesn't already have one. However, you can't do anything about the video card since that's integrated into the logic board, and while you could theoretically replace the logic board with one from a newer model, it would still have the same GMA950 graphic chipset.
    Your system, even as it is currently, will run Leopard very nicely, though maxing the RAM would be wise. Otherwise, if you have needs that the current system doesn't meet, it may be better to put your plans for upgrading the current mini on hold, and instead look at replacing the system. A logic board, for example, would have a cost that is not far behind that of a complete new mini!

  • New Mac Mini Wireless Internet - Slow, Disconnects frequently

    Hi all,
    I've been doing some research and have read related posts about this, but I thought I'd share my specific situation to see if I could have any light shed on it.
    As a long-time happy Mac Mini user, I was excited when I picked up one of the new 2009 mac mini models and ditched my old G4 mini.
    My wireless connection on the old mini was never very fast, and I was extremely pleased when I first started up the computer and my internet FLEW! I thought, 'Finally!! I have fast internet!'
    It was as fast as it had ever been, just as if it were plugged directly into an ethernet cable.
    Well, that lasted only a couple of days. For several months since then, I have frequently been having connection issues. It is consistently slower than it ever was during those first several days, and at times, it is continuously disconnecting and reconnecting.
    Needless to say all of this is very frustrating. My connection is to a D-link wireless router with a standard WEP key.
    I haven't changed any settings since the internet was blazing fast those first couple of days, and I'm using my Macbook wired to ethernet at the moment, and it is perfectly fine.
    Thanks for any insight or to anyone for pointing me in the right direction on this.

    Very close to the same thing happened to me:
    -- I also stepped up from a G4 (iMac) to a 2009 Mini.
    -- I also saw a big improvement in my wireless connection.
    -- I also saw a big drop in speed, reliability, etc. (Software Update seems to hang, etc.).
    -- I am also very frustrated.
    Slight differences:
    -- Drop in speed happened between the first and second time I booted up -- just a few hours!
    -- I'm on an Airport Extreme network (old domed UFO-style base station)... WEP key, etc.
    -- My iMac is still a-ok... just a few feet from the Mini, so I don't see how it could be a location-related problem.
    Have tried usual tricks (rebooting computer and router, etc) and a couple of things found on similar threads. Not a bit of difference yet.
    So advanced thanks for any forthcoming help from me, too...

  • 1.83 Mac Mini wireless only works with case off

    Hey guys,
    I had to replace the HD in my mac mini and i tested it with the case off, the wifi was full bars! then i put the case on and the wifi just cuts off, take off the case, it works perfectly, put it back on instantly chops the wifi power down.
    ANy ideas? I usually always have it plugged in via eth cable but dont want the wireless broken.
    Btw its running 10.6.1

    Did the wifi work any better with the case on BEFORE you replaced the HD?
    It could be the re-assembled Mini's wifi is just acting "normal" - and that operating it case-less allows the wifi to be more powerful than designed.
    IMHO the wifi in the Mini is the weakest in the Apple lineup - an quite susceptible to changes in strength due to orientation of the Mini and objects near it.

  • Mac Mini, HDMI option problem

    On my Mac Mini,In sound output options I cant select HDMI for my TV since upgrading to Mountain Lion

    I was able to get sound form my VIZIO GL47L after a reboot when using it as the only display. However, audio does not work for me when running dual displays.
    I am thinking I will most likely break down & buy an AppleTV and Airplay mirror it.

Maybe you are looking for