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Bluetooth in Powermac

B

berkleeboy210

macrumors 68000
Original poster
Ok, so I have a Powermac on the way, and will eventually add bluetooth to it.

Are there any modules that I can buy that will go inside the machine, or are they all connected via USB?

All Help is Appreciated.
 
I'm almost positive you have to have the bluetooth installed when you buy the computer. Otherwise you'll have to use a USB dongle. Officially, Apple only supports the D-Link model, although plenty of brands will "work."
 
I bought the internal module online from a small mac retailer for $59. Came with the screws and the little antenna you plug in the back.

I didn't mention the name of the company (just search around) because I'm pretty sure Apple doesn't allow this. It states clearly on the small retailers site that it must be installed by an Authorized Technician, but it was painfully easy to do myself.
 
ja0912 said:
I bought the internal module online from a small mac retailer for $59. Came with the screws and the little antenna you plug in the back.

I didn't mention the name of the company (just search around) because I'm pretty sure Apple doesn't allow this. It states clearly on the small retailers site that it must be installed by an Authorized Technician, but it was painfully easy to do myself.
Click to expand...

Would you PM me the name? I'm in the same boat, as I didn't BTO mine.
 
You could always get a PCI USB expansion card that has some internal ports and connect a Bluetooth dongle to the inside of the PowerMac.
 
Do you guys know if you can BTO a new powermac with bluetooth, uninstall it and put it into another powermac? I'm curious because I might try and talk my boss into letting me add bluetooth to one on the next purchases and just pay the additional cost.
 
tobefirst said:
I'm almost positive you have to have the bluetooth installed when you buy the computer. Otherwise you'll have to use a USB dongle. Officially, Apple only supports the D-Link model, although plenty of brands will "work."
Click to expand...

You are correct. Bluetooth is not an option that can be added by the user after the fact, at least not internally. He could get a Bluetooth dongle (USB) or something like that, though.
 
Blackheart said:
Do you guys know if you can BTO a new powermac with bluetooth, uninstall it and put it into another powermac? I'm curious because I might try and talk my boss into letting me add bluetooth to one on the next purchases and just pay the additional cost.
Click to expand...

I don't see why not. It would unscrew with two screws, and then you just detach the little antenna wire.

and of course attach it your antenna wire and screw it in. all done 🙂

Kerry Sanders said:
You are correct. Bluetooth is not an option that can be added by the user after the fact, at least not internally.
Click to expand...

at least not internally...with Apple's consent.

If you can get your hands on an internal module, it's basically as easy as adding ram.
 
ja0912 said:
at least not internally...with Apple's consent.

If you can get your hands on an internal module, it's basically as easy as adding ram.
Click to expand...

Yea, after posting, I read the rest of the thread and realized that I should have probably read the entire thread before responding. 😱 🙄
 
I was at an Apple Store today and they said they would install bluetooth for $50 (includes installation). They said I just needed to bring my Powermac in and leave it for about a day.
 
powerboy said:
I was at an Apple Store today and they said they would install bluetooth for $50 (includes installation). They said I just needed to bring my Powermac in and leave it for about a day.
Click to expand...

Are you serious? Because if you are... looks like I'll be spending $50. 😛
 
Apple used to say that the bluetooth module/chip had to be soldered directly to the motherboard, and therefore you can't install it internally afterwards. They probably have gone to screws now, but don't know for sure.
 
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