I'm getting a new to me iMac G4 17" 1.25GHz running Leopard. I've seen mixed reports that the AirPort Extreme may not work with my new Xfinity router. Is this true? If so what are my options for getting wifi?
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Wifi Airport Extreme iMac G4
- Thread starter ethanhodges
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I think it would work with the Xfinity. The 802.11b/g card should support TKIP and AES/CCMP. Unless the Xfinity router only uses WPA3, which I'd imagine is unlikely.
Thanks so much for your reply. I'll keep you posted next week when I get the iMac.
Just letting everyone know the AirPort card works fine with the Xfinity router
My wireless internet is painfully slow. I tried using a wi-fi extender and connected an ethernet cable to it and the iMac but the best I could do for speed was 23.57 Mbps. Any thoughts on what I can do for faster speeds?
I’d think that an iMac G4 could only get so fast of an internet speed, so I think 23.57 Mbps is good.
Can you test a direct ethernet connection to the router?
Also, what are you using to test? If you're using a bandwidth check on some website, it's possible that all the scripts etc. running on it bog down the G4 so much that it affects the test results.
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I can't do a direct connection because the router is too far away. I bought a Netgear Powerline 1000 and connected it to my Mac Studio and got 1205.34 Mbps but when I connected it to the G4 iMac I only got 23.21 Mbps. I'm using speedtest.net to test the speed.
I have a 1.25GB G4 with 2 GB ram so it is maxed out. Is there a usb dongle I could use to increase the speed?
I can't try speedtest.net on a G4 right now, but look at all the scripts running in the background that the G4 quite literally has to churn through:
My very simple idea would be to test download speed by pointing a browser at a large file hosted on a server known to be fast using a direct link, so that no scripts are involved.
For instance, this <https://updates.cdn-apple.com/2021/...C7CE-46EB-8860-D26D71F0D3EA/InstallMacOSX.dmg> is a direct link to a Lion installer hosted on Apple's servers (doesn't matter, it's just a large file on a fast server).
Check how fast it downloads using a browser on the Mac Studio, then compare it to the G4. If you get higher speeds than with speedtest.net, this points to the site's scripts bogging down the G4 too much.
(Hopefully the browsers on the G4 can connect to the server using https.)
Also keep in mind the iMac only has 100 Mbps wired ethernet, so even if you do get higher speeds, 100 Mbps minus some overhead is the hard limit.
You could try getting faster speeds by using a USB 2.0/3.0 to
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Do you get a different download speed when directly downloading a large file (the Lion installer that Amethyst1 suggested would be an ideal test), doing that to avoid the likely slowdown when running the variety of scripts that are naturally part of the speed test, such as those also mentioned above?
It's running about half of its maximum theoretical speed. A quick search back reveals this:
You’re still limited by the speed of the iMac’s WiFi adapter (54 Mbps max), assuming you’re using this as a WiFi extender.
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This makes sense that the wi-fi would work at a reduced speed but a direct connection with a Netgear Powerline to the ethernet port on the imac should be faster
Netgear Powerline Extender - PL1010 | NETGEAR
Extend your internet access to any room in your house with Netgear Powerline Extender PL1010. 1000Mbps speed and Homeplug AV2 support perfect for smart TVs, streaming players, and game consoles. Buy Now!
www.netgear.com
The Netgear Powerline works as a ethernet device over the power plug in the house.
Netgear Powerline Extender - PL1010 | NETGEAR
Extend your internet access to any room in your house with Netgear Powerline Extender PL1010. 1000Mbps speed and Homeplug AV2 support perfect for smart TVs, streaming players, and game consoles. Buy Now!
www.netgear.com
Then the theoretical maximum is 100 Mbps minus some overhead. Have you gotten round to rechecking?
OP is using the Netgear Powerline 1000, which is Gigabit speeds. I do not use the Netgear devices, but I do use powerline devices and have been using them for a few years now.
Mine are ZyXEL Gigabit and that's how I get Gigabit ethernet out to the garage. I have a Gigabit switch sitting on top of my garage door opener plugged into the receiver and the sending device is in the kitchen.
You'll never get the full speed over powerline, but it gets close.
OP, were your iMac and Mac Studio in the same room when you did the tests on the adapter?