Using MacMini Intel airport card in MacMini PowerPc

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Using MacMini Intel airport card in MacMini PowerPc

Hello,

I've got two old MacMini's, one a PowerPC 1,25 (model A1103) and the other an Intel 1,66 (model A1176), and I was considering using one of them as an iTunes server connected to my hi-fi, controlled with Remote app over wifi.

The PowerPC is in working condition, although very limited (40GB HD, no Airport), the other is unusable because of a fatal problem in the logic board.
So, my question is: could I take the airport card and antenna from the Intel and use it in the PPC? I know I can't reuse the HD because one is ATA and the other SATA, but I would also would need to install a bigger disk (maybe, with some luck, I might not need to buy one).

Will the Remote app work (I read somewhere it doesn't with models prior to 2011)? Am I missing some other problem? Do you guys think its worth the trouble?

Thank you in advance for you advices!

Mac mini, Mac OS X (10.7.1), 2.4 Intel Core Duo

Posted on Nov 30, 2012 4:48 AM

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Answer 1

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BDAqua

Level 10

239,225 points

Nov 30, 2012 10:56 AM in response to pedrocm

Hi, the card will not work between the two, compare the connector in these 2 pics...

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Apple-Mac-Mini-G4-A1103-Airport-AirMac-Extreme-Card-A120 9-603-6236-825-6478-A-/251151265133

http://compare.ebay.com/like/360508002900?var=lv&ltyp=AllFixedPriceItemTypes&var =sbar

There are cheaper options if Wifi was the only problem...

http://eshop.macsales.com/item/NewerTech/MXP2802GU2/

The PPC Mini could share iTunes, but not use the latest versions, or Airplay, or many orher modern Apps.

The hard drive from the Intel Mini could be used in an external case, or possibly with a Sata->IDE adapter, but that'd be a tight fit.

All in all, I don't think it's what you want.

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Answer 2

pedrocm Author

Level 1

9 points

Nov 30, 2012 11:14 AM in response to BDAqua

I feared that kind of incompatibility (it didn't occur to me to search ebay for the parts...)

And I guess you're right: it's too complicated and limited. I was just trying to find some use to those once useful machines... (and I really would like to have some practical solution to play songs in my iTunes library, without the need constantly connect and disconnect my iPod)
I guess that there are some easier solutions.

Thanks a lot for your help.

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Answer 3

pedrocm Author

Level 1

9 points

Nov 30, 2012 11:14 AM in response to BDAqua

(I'm sorry, I guess I'm just being dumb here and messed things up: I wanted to change the "this helped me" label to ""this solved my question" in your answer and I ended up "rewarding myself"... Can this be edited?)

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Answer 4

BDAqua

Level 10

239,225 points

Nov 30, 2012 11:48 AM in response to pedrocm

Hi, you can't undo the awards, but no problem here. 🙂

Well, wow big is your Music Libtary, iTunes Sharing will work for other computers from the Mini, & you could conyrol the old Mini from another computer, but not likely from an iDevice.

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