USB ethernet on Mac...

Discussion in 'Mac Accessories' started by ouphe, Aug 24, 2005.

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  1. ouphe, Aug 24, 2005

    ouphe macrumors regular

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    Los Angeles, CA
    #1
    So I am in kind of a pickle. I'm trying to come up with a way to connect my non-airport enabled PM G5 to a wireless network without forking out the 70 bucks for an airport card (I plan on doing it eventually, but I don't have the scratch right now, unfortunately).
    Anyway, I have a 75 dollar gift certificate from Dell, and I was wondering what the chances that this: http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/ProductDetail.aspx?c=us&l=en&cs=19&sku=543655&category_id=5603 would be compatible with my Mac. It says Windows based systems in the description, but I thought (read: hoped) that maybe there would be a driver or something that would make it work. I'm new to the whole Apple thing, so I'm not quite sure how all the compatibility issues work :p
    Anyway, any advice/experience would be greatly appreciated.
    Thanks!

    -Colin
     
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  2. sakasune, Aug 24, 2005

    sakasune macrumors member

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    #2
    I know for putting in a PCI wireless card, it has to use the same chipset as the Airport cards (it's a Broadcom chip, google for more info). I don't know about USB adapters, though.
    Maybe a wireless ethernet bridge might work for you (unless you're using your ethernet port for something else).
     
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  3. e²Studios, Aug 24, 2005

    e²Studios macrumors 68020

    e²Studios

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    #3
    What you would want is a Wireless Ethernet Bridge. This one http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/t...79550-2200762?v=glance&s=electronics&n=507846 which is around $100 support 802.11G, i know there is a 802.11b (11mbs) version but i couldnt find it on amazon. There are also Wireless Ethernet Bridges linked form that page i linked. Essentially you just plug your ehternet cable in to this device from your ethernet card and it does all the wireless work for you. I have the 11mbs version plugged in to a iMac downstairs and it works great. From what i gather that Linksys USB device will not work, D-Link makes one http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/t...79550-2200762?v=glance&s=electronics&n=541966 that is supposedly compatible and also comes with OS X drivers. Comptibility with USB wireless devices is slim to none on OS X, the Wireless Ethernet Bridge is probably your best bet for ultimate compatibility.

    Good Luck
    Ed
     
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  4. g4cubed, Aug 24, 2005

    g4cubed macrumors 6502a

    g4cubed

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    #4
    A thought

    I don't know if this will work for you.

    I was given 2 - $50.00 gift certificates to a national restaurant chain that I sold on ebay for $35.00 and 40.00.
    If you do sell it, that's money towards the airport card.
     
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  5. ouphe, Aug 24, 2005

    ouphe thread starter macrumors regular

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    #5
    Ah, great advice from everyone. I looked at the Dlink USB, and was strongly considering that, but I just got a payment on a freelance project I'm working on, so I think I'm just going to go ahead and throw down the 70 bucks for the Airport card.
    Thanks again for everyone's time and advice!

    -Colin
     
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  6. pammyspyce, Sep 9, 2005

    pammyspyce macrumors regular

    pammyspyce

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    #6
    sorry, wrong post
     
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  7. pammyspyce, Sep 9, 2005

    pammyspyce macrumors regular

    pammyspyce

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    #7
    sorry, wrong post
     
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  8. strider42, Sep 9, 2005

    strider42 macrumors 65816

    strider42

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    #8
    I totally agree with this. USb adaptors require drivers, and support for that ranges from sketchy to nil. Ethernet based adaptors require no drivers and are OS independent. The linksys WET11 and WET54 are great, belkin and dlink both make ethernet adaptors too. macsense makes an ethernet adaptor that gets its power from USB, whcih is a really great idea I think.
     
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