Level 1

8 points

Using 802.11ac USB adapter on Mid 2010 Mac Mini Server

I recently read an article about the 802.11ac connection and it mentioned if you use a USB adapter on a USB 2.0 connection you will lose much of the intended speed. Does anyone know if there is a way around this, like a FireWire USB adapter or is it possible to install a USB 3.0 port on my Mac Mini?

I looked at my PHY Link Speed in the Network Utility and it matches the 802.11 Adapter specifications of 867 Mbit/s.

Mac mini, OS X Mavericks (10.9.1)

Posted on Jan 17, 2014 10:32 AM

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7 replies

Level 10

250,253 points

Jan 17, 2014 12:16 PM in response to JonnQ

Which exact Mini is it?

At the Apple Icon at top left>About this Mac.

Then click on More Info>Hardware and report this upto but not including the Serial#...

Hardware Overview:

Machine Name: Mac mini

Machine Model: PowerMac10,1

CPU Type: PowerPC G4 (1.2)

Number Of CPUs: 1

CPU Speed: 1.42 GHz

L2 Cache (per CPU): 512 KB

Memory: 512 MB

Bus Speed: 167 MHz

Boot ROM Version: 4.8.9f1

Not possible to speed up USB2, not possible to install an internal USB3 card, with more info we'll see if there are other options.

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Level 1

8 points

Jan 17, 2014 12:32 PM in response to BDAqua

Hardware Overview:

Model Name: Mac mini

Model Identifier: Macmini4,1

Processor Name: Intel Core 2 Duo

Processor Speed: 2.66 GHz

Number of Processors: 1

Total Number of Cores: 2

L2 Cache: 3 MB

Memory: 8 GB

Bus Speed: 1.07 GHz

Boot ROM Version: MM41.0042.B03

SMC Version (system): 1.65f2

Serial Number (system):

Hardware UUID: 7BF77715-AB79-5101-86D0-5ED301D18E8

Thanks

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Level 10

250,253 points

Jan 17, 2014 12:56 PM in response to JonnQ

Looks like we're out of luck then, looks like your only choices are USB2, Ethernet, or the 802.11a/b/g/n it has. 😟

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Level 1

8 points

Jan 17, 2014 3:15 PM in response to BDAqua

So there is no benefit for me having the http://www.quickertek.com/products/ACQuicky.html with my Mac Mini and my new Airport Extreme?

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Level 10

250,253 points

Jan 17, 2014 4:15 PM in response to JonnQ

Well, possibly, especially the one with Antennas, because Wifi speed is dependent on signal strength/distance & obstructions.

What speeds do you get now?

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Level 1

8 points

Jan 26, 2014 11:25 AM in response to BDAqua

Do you mean speed test from www.speedtest.net?

I get the same with or without, generally Download 26.97 Mb/s Upload 5.82 Mb/s.

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Level 10

250,253 points

Jan 26, 2014 1:33 PM in response to JonnQ

Then AC, maybe even n will be no increase in speed, since 802.11g is 54 Mb/s, or half that in reality.

http://www.everymac.com/systems/apple/apple-tv/apple-tv-faq/what-is-802.11n-diff erences-between-802.11n-802.11a-802.11b-802.11g.html

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Using 802.11ac USB adapter on Mid 2010 Mac Mini Server

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