Power Macintosh G5 Q&A - Updated December 11, 2006

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What AirPort, Bluetooth, and modem capabilities are provided by the Power Mac G5?

All Power Macintosh G5 models support AirPort Extreme (802.11g), but none had it installed by default.

All Power Macintosh G5 models support Bluetooth 1.1, with the exception of the "Late 2005" models -- the Power Mac G5 Dual Core (2.0), Dual Core (2.3), and "Quad Core" (2.5) -- which support Bluetooth 2.0+EDR. None of the Power Mac G5 models had Bluetooth installed by default either.

All Power Mac G5 models introduced prior to April 27, 2005 have an internal 56k v.92 modem. The "Early 2005" models -- the Power Mac G5 2.0 DP (PCI), 2.3 DP (PCI-X), and 2.7 DP (PCI-X) -- support an internal 56k v.92 modem, but it was not installed by default. The "Late 2005" models -- again, the Power Mac G5 Dual Core (2.0), Dual Core (2.3), and "Quad Core" (2.5) -- do not support an internal modem at all, but could be configured with an external Apple USB modem at the time of purchase.

What is AirPort Extreme? How is it different from AirPort?

In basic terms, AirPort Extreme (802.11g) is a more advanced version of AirPort (802.11) that is nearly five times faster. AirPort provides a maximum wireless data rate of 11 megabits per second, and AirPort Extreme provides a maxium wireless data rate of 54 megabits per second.

AirPort Extreme is backwards-compatible with AirPort, and works in much the same way. However, it is worth noting that at 54 megabits per second, the "Base Station range" is only 50 feet, whereas the range is 150 feet at 11 megabits per second. All Power Mac G5 systems support AirPort Extreme, but none had it installed by default.

What is Bluetooth? How much faster is Bluetooth 2.0+EDR?

Apple reports that Bluetooth is:

A cutting-edge open specification that enables short-range wireless connections between desktop and notebook computers, personal digital assistants, mobile phones, camera phones, printers, digital cameras, keyboards and even a computer mouse. Bluetooth wireless technology uses a globally available frequency band (2.4GHz) for worldwide compatibility.

In a nutshell, Bluetooth technology unplugs your digital peripherals and makes cable clutter a thing of the past. . . You can link your Palm OS-based handheld device, mobile phone and other peripherals with Bluetooth technology -- and do it wirelessly, within a 30-foot range.

Bluetooth 2.0+EDR (Enhanced Data Rate), is three times faster than earlier versions. All Power Macintosh G5 models support Bluetooth 1.1, with the exception of the "Late 2005" models -- the Power Mac G5 Dual Core (2.0), Dual Core (2.3), and "Quad Core" (2.5) -- which support Bluetooth 2.0+EDR.

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