Picked up my Mini today, got a few questions

J

Jozone

[H]ard|Gawd
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Jun 3, 2003
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Im typing this post from the latest computer in my household, my new Mini 1.42. I was coming home from school today and just thought, "Im going to the apple store now, and if they have them, Im going to buy it".

So sure enough they had them, and here I am, $629 poorer, but 1 Mac richer. This is my first mac in a looong time, so I just had a few quick questions.

(1) Does anyone have any keyboard recommendations? Im a fan of the "natural" ergonomic style keyboards, and I find that that mac keyboards can be a bit cramped. Im currently using a Apple USB keyboard from an old iMac, but am looking for something different.

(2) Wireless. As soon as I left the store I kinda thought to myself doh, forgot to ask about a wireless card. Would I be able to install an airport extreme card myself, or should I leave it to the pros? Are there any USB solutions?

Really enjoying the mac so far, look foward to becoming a more active member here on [H] Apple.
 
I was reading an article on how its very easy to OC a Mac/Mac Mini by adding/removing resistors. Seemed fun. Anywho.

1) http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=23-109-112&depa=0
Its Cheap and it types and its a egronomic like you like. I don't see/never understood why people spend 50+ dollars on keyboards. I think I bought this one I am typing on for 10.99 (logitech standard with some web buttons (that I never use) off newegg)

2) Depends on your router. A quick search earlier today I found a D-Link USB Wireless. I am sure its easy to install the internal wireless yourself. Just pop off the top, negotiate the inner workings (figure out whats movable) and install it.
 
I have the apple wireless keyboard (the wired version is 30 bucks).

It's nice an compact and I really like the response of the keys.


On my PC, I have a logitech keyboard (part of the MX Duo) which I also really like.
The same keyboard would work on a mac... in fact the keys have both windows and mac labels on them.
 
you can have bluetooth and airport added but you can not do it yourself as they are considered service parts and you can't order them
 
gigglebyte said:
you can have bluetooth and airport added but you can not do it yourself as they are considered service parts and you can't order them
Click to expand...

Hm, didnt know that. Macs can't use other market internal wireless card? Like Linksys?
 
No room for internal other than Apple supplied. I hear you can go to an Apple service center and order it and have them install it, for a fee of course. PM Gigglebyte for more info.

No reason you can't use an external USB BT or Wireless 802.11x adapter. Prolly cheaper in the long run anyways.
 
abudhu said:
Hm, didnt know that. Macs can't use other market internal wireless routers? Like Linksys?
Click to expand...
huh? Internal Router? I take it you meant to say internal network card...

The mac Mini cannot, as it has no internal PCI slots. Other macs with Internal PCI slots can take some non-apple PCI network wifi cards. I used to have a Motorola 802.11g PCI card in my G4 - connecting to a Netgear router no different than a PC would.
 
Ah, sorry my bad (made the change to my post).

Hm, then I'd try to find a USB Network adapter for that Mini or yours.

I like how my student discount brings it from 499 -- 479 + The Internal and then 23 dollar 256 Stick from NewEgg makes the thing like 540 dollars. Haha. Lame.

I wish I was rich :( I would so buy me one.

----
Edit: Bam! This is what I'm taking about..well now at least.
http://www.linksys.com/products/product.asp?grid=33&scid=36&prid=519

Getting something like that will probably be your best bet for the cheapest solution to your internet woes.

Edit
---
Nevermind..though that ^^ may be cool. ZipZoom Fly sells it for 60 bucks! Dang.
 
abudhu said:
Ah, sorry my bad (made the change to my post).

Hm, then I'd try to find a USB Network adapter for that Mini or yours.

I like how my student discount brings it from 499 -- 479 + The Internal and then 23 dollar 256 Stick from NewEgg makes the thing like 540 dollars. Haha. Lame.

I wish I was rich :( I would so buy me one.

----
Edit: Bam! This is what I'm taking about..well now at least.
http://www.linksys.com/products/product.asp?grid=33&scid=36&prid=519

Getting something like that will probably be your best bet for the cheapest solution to your internet woes.

Edit
---
Nevermind..though that ^^ may be cool. ZipZoom Fly sells it for 60 bucks! Dang.
Click to expand...

Not only that, but according to the spec sheet, it isnt mac compatible! Ah well, the search continues.. for now I've got it running on a mega long cat5 cable.
 
Alright, well then the D-Link USB adapter they advertise on their website will for sure :)

-- Which router do you have?! It would help in the search.
 
The really cheap Belkin USB wifi adapters work, im using one with my Mini. Model FD6050 i believe
 
abudhu said:
Alright, well then the D-Link USB adapter they advertise on their website will for sure :)

-- Which router do you have?! It would help in the search.
Click to expand...
im not sure why you keep on asking about routers, any compatable network adapter will connect to any standard router..

..but for your reference I have 3: D-Link 802.11b 4 Port, Netgear 802.11g 4 Port, and an Airport Express
 
Because I assumed only the vendors adapter would work with the vendors wireless router. But if they all work across all boards, then hell pick up anyone :)
 
802.11b, g, a are all standards and as long as you have an adater for what ever standard you are using it should work...using a netgear g here with my airport no problem

I did find THIS and with a little digging you might be able to find something HERE as well
 
abudhu said:
I like how my student discount brings it from 499 -- 479 + The Internal and then 23 dollar 256 Stick from NewEgg makes the thing like 540 dollars. Haha. Lame.
Click to expand...
I'm not sure if you realize this but the Mini has ONLY one ram slot and comes with 256megs of ram already... unless you were buying that stick for something else
 
@ seanmcd: yes I am well aware of that fact. I would upgrade to 512. Seeing as many say it sucks for multi-tasking with 256.
 
thanks gigglebyte, that is exactly what I was looking for... I'm thinking about buying it right now, I'll keep you all posted.
 
buy it... i just picked one up today (1.42ghz spec) and a $30 iogear bluetooth adapter, which i simply plugged in and osX started looking for mice... sooo nice... *pats osX*.. anywho, 256 is palty, as we've all been saying and I can personally attest too 80MB of photos working in photomerge on photoshop cs took some more time then i'd like... but I'll have to wait a few weeks to upgrade to a gig.. and maybe a usb wifi adapter down the road.

all in all, i still cant get over the fact that it's the same size as my lacie fw800 drive :D

-esr
 
I actually upgraded the memory yesterday to a dimm of 512. I must say, installing ram in this thing is without a doubt one of the more stressful upgrades I've done.

Luckily everything went perfectly and no one was harmed in the process.
 
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