[Computer Help] Mac Airport Cards

terpkristin · 08-31-2005, 07:41 PM

Hi guys and gals,
Any Mac "experts" out there? My sister has a desktop Mac (an iMac G3, OS X.3.*). Her apartment complex has wifi for all residents, but her desktop does not have a wireless card. We're trying to buy one for her, but it seems that there are a variet of Airport cards out there, and only certain ones will work with her computer.

Is there a Mac expert out there who can tell me what card I need (product numbers and/or links are greatly appreciated)?

My sister and I (and my dad, who gave up) thank you in advance.

/tk

Draft Dodger · 08-31-2005, 08:10 PM

there are (were) two airport cards, and they aren't interchangeable (they are physically different in size)

the newer ones are called Airport Extreme cards - they were released in January of 2003, and will work with macs produced after that point. that iMac should predate that, so that won't work.

the older Airport cards work with most (but not all) iMacs, but, unfortunately, they aren't made any more, and might be hard to find (ebay?). do you know for sure it has an airport slot? if not, what's the speed - I think I can look that up.

there also have been a few 3rd party USB adapters that worked (D-Link had one for a while), but I haven't seen one in a while. But I'll look around and see if I can find something.

sovereignstar · 08-31-2005, 08:24 PM

Airport Extreme would be the way to go.

Draft Dodger · 08-31-2005, 08:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sovereignstar

Airport Extreme would be the way to go.

really, not

sovereignstar · 08-31-2005, 08:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Draft Dodger

really, not

Shit, really? I figured the computer was newer than that.

sovereignstar · 08-31-2005, 08:32 PM

Maybe this helps.. ?

http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=86258

Draft Dodger · 08-31-2005, 08:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sovereignstar

Shit, really? I figured the computer was newer than that.

she said it's an iMac G3. those are going back a ways.

sovereignstar · 08-31-2005, 08:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Draft Dodger

she said it's an iMac G3. those are going back a ways.

Yeah, I'll end the era of pretending to know a lot about Macs right.. *now*.

Draft Dodger · 08-31-2005, 08:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sovereignstar

Yeah, I'll end the era of pretending to know a lot about Macs right.. *now*.

you are still my favorite internet detective!

terpkristin · 08-31-2005, 08:52 PM

I appreciate the effort, sov! I still love you.

DD, if you happen to find anything, I'd be obliged if you pass along the info. Thanks for all the info you've given me so far (a lot of great starting points).

/tk

Rando · 08-31-2005, 09:14 PM

For a G3 iMac you will need the old 802.11b Airport (not Extreme) Network Adapter (Part# M7600LL/E), but there's two problems.

First up, they don't make these anymore. I doubt most official Apple stores even have them on hand(although your local Apple authorized reseller might) you'll probably have to go online to find one.

Second problem, depending on which G3 iMac it is, there might not be a built in Airport card slot and you will have to get an Airport Card Adapter Kit (Part# M8753G/A). If your iMac has a tray load optical drive, or a 300mhz or slower processor you'll need to buy one of these in addition the the card (or you won't have no place to stick it).

mac-pro.com seems to have both items in stock,
hxxp://www.mac-pro.com/s.nl/sc.2/category.2/it.A/id.699/.f
hxxp://www.mac-pro.com/s.nl/sc.2/category.22/it.A/id.832/.f

-Rando

stevew · 09-01-2005, 07:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by terpkristin

Hi guys and gals,
Any Mac "experts" out there? My sister has a desktop Mac (an iMac G3, OS X.3.*). Her apartment complex has wifi for all residents, but her desktop does not have a wireless card. We're trying to buy one for her, but it seems that there are a variet of Airport cards out there, and only certain ones will work with her computer.

Is there a Mac expert out there who can tell me what card I need (product numbers and/or links are greatly appreciated)?

My sister and I (and my dad, who gave up) thank you in advance.

/tk

My wife uses a D-Link DWL-122 usb adapter with her powerbook, and it works fine for wireless internet. I think it was less than 40 bucks.

08-31-2005, 08:10 PM	#2
Draft Dodger Coordinator Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Keene, NH	there are (were) two airport cards, and they aren't interchangeable (they are physically different in size) the newer ones are called Airport Extreme cards - they were released in January of 2003, and will work with macs produced after that point. that iMac should predate that, so that won't work. the older Airport cards work with most (but not all) iMacs, but, unfortunately, they aren't made any more, and might be hard to find (ebay?). do you know for sure it has an airport slot? if not, what's the speed - I think I can look that up. there also have been a few 3rd party USB adapters that worked (D-Link had one for a while), but I haven't seen one in a while. But I'll look around and see if I can find something. __________________ Mile High Hockey Last edited by Draft Dodger : 08-31-2005 at 08:10 PM.

08-31-2005, 08:52 PM	#10
terpkristin Grizzled Veteran Join Date: May 2003 Location: Ashburn, VA	I appreciate the effort, sov! I still love you. DD, if you happen to find anything, I'd be obliged if you pass along the info. Thanks for all the info you've given me so far (a lot of great starting points). /tk __________________ GO TERPS! https://www.flickr.com/photos/terpkristin https://twitter.com/terpkristin

08-31-2005, 08:24 PM	#3
sovereignstar Pro Starter Join Date: Feb 2004	Airport Extreme would be the way to go.

08-31-2005, 08:32 PM	#6
sovereignstar Pro Starter Join Date: Feb 2004	Maybe this helps.. ? http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=86258

08-31-2005, 09:14 PM	#11
Rando n00b Join Date: Mar 2004	For a G3 iMac you will need the old 802.11b Airport (not Extreme) Network Adapter (Part# M7600LL/E), but there's two problems. First up, they don't make these anymore. I doubt most official Apple stores even have them on hand(although your local Apple authorized reseller might) you'll probably have to go online to find one. Second problem, depending on which G3 iMac it is, there might not be a built in Airport card slot and you will have to get an Airport Card Adapter Kit (Part# M8753G/A). If your iMac has a tray load optical drive, or a 300mhz or slower processor you'll need to buy one of these in addition the the card (or you won't have no place to stick it). mac-pro.com seems to have both items in stock, hxxp://www.mac-pro.com/s.nl/sc.2/category.2/it.A/id.699/.f hxxp://www.mac-pro.com/s.nl/sc.2/category.22/it.A/id.832/.f -Rando

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)