New iMac 2012 - Wireless Capabilities?

This is Apple's statement:

http://support.apple.com/kb/PH3853

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OS X Lion: Share your Internet connection

If your computer is connected to the Internet, you can share its Internet connection with other computers on your local network.

For example, if your computer is connected to the Internet using a DSL modem and has an AirPort Card installed, you can share the DSL connection with other AirPort-equipped computers.

On Windows computers, sharing your Internet connection is sometimes referred to as a “network bridge” or “bridging your network.”

1. Choose Apple menu > System Preferences and click Sharing.
2. Select Internet Sharing and click the checkbox if it isn’t checked.
3. Choose the Internet connection you want to share from the “Share your connection from” pop-up menu. For example, if you’re connected to the Internet over Ethernet, choose Ethernet.
4. Select how you want to share your Internet connection in the “To computers using” list. For example, if you want to share your Internet connection over AirPort, select AirPort.If you share your Internet connection using AirPort, click AirPort Options and give your network a name and password.

If your Internet connection and your local network use the same port (Ethernet, for example), investigate possible side effects before you turn on Internet sharing. In some cases (if you use a cable modem, for example) you might unintentionally affect the network settings of other ISP customers, and your ISP might terminate your service to prevent you from disrupting its network.

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Does the implication of: "... you can share it's (your iMac's) internet connection with other computers on your LOCAL network", imply that "other computers" (those using Apple Airport), could also be referred to as "devices" ... such as iPods, iPhones, iPads, etc.?

John:

John wrote:

"... Macs have been able to do this since the Classic era."

Good follow-up.

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Just not sure about "the Classic era"

Here's a screen grab from one of my older computers,

running an older OSX version. Notice no internet sharing

available.

A final few questions or observations:

1. So, you're saying that the iMac, with "Internet Sharing" selected (in the system

preferences), will then enable the iMac to act as a base wireless transmitter to

all wi-fi devices in a set distance around the iMac (iPhones, iPod Touch, iPad, etc.)?

2. Do you know what the approximate transmitting distance is for this iMac

"Internet Sharing" is (in feet)?

3. For the iMac "Internet Sharing" to be available, the iMac has to obviously

be turned on, to transmit?

3. Is this iMac "Internet Sharing" somewhat equivalent to the performance of

the Apple Extreme Base Station (obviously probably not)?

4. Why would iMac users really need the Airport Extreme (other than to have

full internet access without needing to have their iMac's running all the time,

or for farther transmitting range)?

I forgot to add this in the thread earlier, referring to the comment of Macs having

been able to do this since the "Classic era"

In Older OSX System Preferences > Sharing > the Sharing "Internet" tab only

showed either of two options to computers using:

• Built-in Ethernet

• Built-in Firewire

• BUT NO "Wi-Fi" setting selection

Obviously that's the difference ... having that "Wi-Fi" option under the

System Preference / Sharing / Menu Selections.

I never did get back to this original post, concerning if the new 2013 iMac's could transmit WiFi from the built-in Airport Extreme ….. well I'm reporting they can. it's easy to set-up too.

This is basically whats involved:

1. Turn on WiFi "ON" using menu bar icon

OR ...

WiFi can also be turned on in "System Preferences / Shared", by clicking on the "Internet Sharing" and

getting pop-down window to appear.

2. Then, go to "System Preference" (in Menu), and OPEN "Sharing"

Then, click-on "WiFi" in "To computers using" ….

Then, click-on "Internet Sharing" in left box ...

This pop-down window will appear …. click START …

…. and DONE …. your iMac is now transmitting WiFi

This is what the 2013 iMac shows in "System Report" under "Network/WiFi"

The Airport Extreme is obviously built-in to the 2013 iMac.

… and I am amazed at the strength and distance the WiFi signal, coming from my iMac, is. I've walked out

into our back yard (100' -150') and the WiFi signal is strong enough to carry in that range, from having the iMac indoors

…. with plenty of strength to cover WiFi devices in the house (as I have iPhone and Apple TV running great off the iMac WiFi signal.

Nice additional design and hardware addition to the new 2013 iMac line …. Apple got this iMac Built-in WiFi right !

I never did get back to this original post, concerning if the new 2013 iMac's could transmit WiFi from the built-in Airport Extreme ….. well I'm reporting they can. it's easy to set-up too.

This is basically whats involved:

1. Turn on WiFi "ON" using menu bar icon

OR ...

WiFi can also be turned on in "System Preferences / Shared", by clicking on the "Internet Sharing" and

getting pop-down window to appear.

2. Then, go to "System Preference" (in Menu), and OPEN "Sharing"

Then, set "Share your internet connection from "Ethernet" … click-on "WiFi" in "To computers using" …

Then, click-on "Internet Sharing" in left box ...

This pop-down window will appear …. click START …

"Internet Sharing" is now ON ...

…. and DONE …. your iMac is now transmitting WiFi

This is what the 2013 iMac shows in "System Report" under "Network/WiFi"

The Airport Extreme is obviously built-in to the 2013 iMac.

… and I am amazed at the strength and distance the WiFi signal, coming from my iMac, is. I've walked out

into our back yard (100' -150') and the WiFi signal is strong enough to carry in that range, from having the iMac indoors

…. with plenty of strength to cover WiFi devices in the house (as I have iPhone and Apple TV running great off the iMac WiFi signal.

This built-in iMac WiFi option is a nice additional hardware addition to the new 2013 iMac line …. Apple got this iMac Built-in WiFi right !

NOTE: Of course you will have to set-up the "Computer Name" for your local network

(in the "Sharing Folder" in System Preferences).

And you will also have to set up "configure an internet-sharing network" info

(in the Sharing Folder", in System Preferences, under the "WiFi Options" button)

John:

What I would have, is the iMac directly ethernet hard-wired (with Roadrunner / although the Roadrunner brand name is being discontinued by TimeWarner), and wanted to know if the iMac would then be able to "transmit" (as a base station), to other wireless devices (ie: iPod Touch, iPhone, iPad, etc.).

From what I now understand, it can't .... it can only receive, the iMac can't transmit (as an Apple Extreme can).

I will have to look into getting a new Apple Extreme base as well.

BGreg:

" ... receiver, not a transmitter."

That's what I thought ... but needed to know.

Thanks