Hosted by site sponsor WebMate.
Power Macintosh G4 Q&A - Updated April 12, 2010
To be notified of new Q&As, sign up for EveryMac.com's bimonthly email list.
What AirPort capabilities are provided by the Power Mac G4 models? How do you install an AirPort module? Can you add 802.11n?
The early PCI-based models -- the Power Mac G4 350 (PCI) and 400 (PCI) -- do not support an AirPort card. All other Power Mac G4 models support at least original AirPort (802.11b) while the "Firewire 800" series -- the Power Mac G4 1.0 (FW 800), 1.25 DP (FW 800), and 1.42 DP (FW 800) -- support AirPort Extreme (802.11b/g).
Installing or replacing an AirPort module in compatible Power Mac G4 models is quick and straightforward. Apple provides step-by-step instructions for the AGP Graphics, Digital Audio/Gigabit Ethernet, and Quicksilver lines.
The installation process is quite similar regardless of model, but you also may find an installation video from site sponsor Other World Computing -- for the Mirror Drive Door/Firewire 800 line, specifically -- helpful as well:
Installation may be easy, but on the resale market, vintage Apple Airport cards can be difficult to find and expensive when they can be found.
Furthermore, the internal AirPort slot does not support the faster 802.11n standard -- which Apple confusingly also calls "AirPort Extreme" -- at all.
Consequently, those interested in saving time and money -- or interested in faster wireless networking than is supported by the internal AirPort slot -- would be wise to instead purchase a PCI card that is compatible with the Power Mac G4.
Mac compatible 802.11b/g PCI cards are available and PCI cards that support 802.11n support the older 802.11b and 802.11g standards as well.
Site sponsor Other World Computing may still have a vintage option or two available.
How do you add Bluetooth to a Power Mac G4 model without internal support?
The "Firewire 800" Power Mac G4 line -- the Power Mac G4 1.0 (FW 800), 1.25 DP (FW 800), and 1.42 DP (FW 800) -- support internal Bluetooth 1.1, but did not have it installed by default. All other Power Mac G4 models do not support internal Bluetooth.
To add Bluetooth to Power Mac G4 models that do not support internal Bluetooth or do not have it installed, it is easy to use a USB Bluetooth dongle.
A number of Bluetooth dongles once were available; site sponsor Other World Computing may still have a vintage option or two available.
Permalink | Report an Error/Typo | Sign Up for Site Update Notices
<< Power Macintosh G4 Q&A (Main)
Established in 1996, EveryMac.com has been created by experts with decades of experience with Apple hardware. EveryMac.com includes, and always has included, original research incorporating detailed, hands-on inspection of packaging, computers, and devices as well as extensive real-world use. All information is provided in good faith, but no website or person is perfect. Accordingly, EveryMac.com is provided "as is" without warranty of any kind whatsoever. EveryMac.com, and the authors thereof, shall not be held responsible or liable, under any circumstances, for any damages resulting from the use or inability to use the information within. For complete disclaimer and copyright information please read and understand the Terms of Use and the Privacy Policy before using EveryMac.com. Copying, scraping, or use of any content without expressed permission is not allowed, although links to any page are welcomed and appreciated.