| Ethernet Adapters |
| Finding Ethernet adapters for non-Ethernet Macs |
While new Mac models (iMac, G4 etc.) include Ethernet support built-in, earlier Macs can be trickier to get connected to Ethernet. This page lists Mac models and their Ethernet options, either built-in or available through an Ethernet adapter. The options appear by number, which you then compare to the adapter list that follows.
An Example
If you have a Quadra 650, move down the list to Quadras, which shows this line:
Quadra 650, 660av, 700, 800, 840av, 900, 950: 4, 5, 6, 11
This means that any of those Quadra models, including the 650, supports options 4, 5, 6, and 11. From the options list, we find:
4) Nubus card: ...
5) 7" Nubus card: ...
6) PDS card: ...
11) Transceiver: ...
Therefore, if you go shopping for an Ethernet adapter, it needs to be one of those types (Nubus, 7" Nubus, PDS, or a transceiver) to work with your Quadra 650. Once you know your options, see the Finding Products section for help locating a reseller that would have the adapter you need.
Mac Model Ethernet List
The following list attempts to detail Ethernet adapter options for all Mac models. Most Macs have multiple expansion options, but note that you only need to use one of them. To determine your expansion capabilities, start with your general system type (Apple-brand Desktop, Clone Desktop, or Portable), then find the model name and number. Compare the numbers that follow to those in the Network Options List section that follows.
Some Mac models have different expansion options for the same model number.
To check your Mac's processor speed, use the Apple System Profiler
program (it should be in the Apple menu).There
are several PowerBook G3s, released at various times since October 1997.
If you're not sure which one you have, there are two Apple Tech Info Library
articles that will help, #24604
and #58328.
Apple-branded Desktops
iMac models
iMac (all models): 1
Power Mac models
G4 (all models): 1
G3 (Blue & White), G3 Server: 1, 3
G3 (Beige) Minitower, Desktop, All-in-one: 2, 3
7220: 2, 3, 10
7200, 7215, 7300, 7500, 7600, 8200, 8500, 8600, 9500, 9600: 2, 3, 11
7100, 8100, 8115: 4, 5, 11
6500: 2 (some 225Mhz and 250Mhz models only), 3, 10
6400, 20th Anniversary Mac: 3, 10
6300: 3 (160Mhz model only), 7 (120Mhz model only), 9
6100: 5 (not AV or DOS models), 6 (not AV or DOS models), 11
5500: 2, 3, 9
5400: 2 (200Mhz model only), 3, 9
5200, 5260, 5300, 6200: 7, 9
4400: 2 (some 200Mhz models only), 3, 10
Performa models
6400, 6410, 6420: 3, 10
6200: 6, 9
6110, 6112, 6115, 6116, 6117, 6118: 5, 6, 11
5420, 5430, 5440, 6360: 3, 9
5200, 5210, 5215, 5220, 5260, 5270, 5280, 5300, 5320, 5400, 6310: 2, 3, 6, 9
600: 4, 5, 6
577, 578, 630 DOS, 640 DOS, 5410: 9
575, 580, 588, 630, 631, 635, 636, 637, 638, 6205, 6210, 6214, 6216, 6218, 6220, 6230, 6260, 6290, 6300, 6320: 7, 9
450, 460, 466, 467: 8
250, 400, 405, 410, 430, 475, 476, 520, 550, 560: 7
200: 12
Quadra models
650, 660av, 700, 800, 840av, 900, 950: 4, 5, 6, 11
630: 7, 9
610 DOS: 11
610: 5, 6, 11
605: 8
Centris models
650, 660av: 4, 5, 6, 11
610: 5, 6, 11
LC models
630 DOS: 9
580, 630: 7, 9
III, III+, 475: 8
LC, II, 520, 550, 560, 575, 577, 578: 7
Mac II models
II, IIx, IIci, IIcx: 4, 5
IIfx, IIsi, IIvi, IIvx: 4, 5, 6
Compact Mac models
Plus, Classic, Classic II, Mac TV: 12
SE/30: 18
SE: 19
Color Classic, Color Classic II: 7
Network Server models
500, 700: 3, 11
Workgroup Server models
60, 80, 95, 6150, 8150, 9150: 4, 5, 6, 11
7250, 7350, 8550, 9650: 2, 3, 11
Desktop Clones
APS mPower: 3
Daystar Genesis MP 300, 528, 600: 2, 3, 11
Motorola Starmax 3000, 4000: 3
Power Computing PowerCenter Pro: 2, 3, 11
Radius 100, 81/100: 4, 5, 6, 11
Umax SuperMac J700, S900: 2, 3, 11
Umax C500, C600: 3
Portable Macs
iBook: 1, 17
PowerBook G3 (333 and 400Mhz models): 1, 14, 15
G3 (233, 250, 266, 292, and 300Mhz models): 2, 14
3400: 2 (omitted in some 180Mhz models), 14
1400: 14, 20
190, 2400, 5300: 14
520, 540, 550: 11, 16
100, 140, 145, 150, 160, 165, 170, 180: 13
Duo Dock: 4, 5 Duo Dock II, Duo Dock Plus: 4, 5, 11
Network Options List
1) Built-in Multi-speed Ethernet: This model comes with an auto-sensing, multi-speed Ethernet jack, allowing you to connect directly to an Ethernet network (10BaseT up to 1000BaseT, depending on the model).
2) Built-in 10BaseT Ethernet: This model comes with a 10BaseT Ethernet jack, allowing you to connect directly to a 10BaseT network.
3) PCI card: This model has one or more PCI slots available for the installation of an internal network adapter.
4) Nubus card: This model has one or more full-size Nubus slots available for the installation of an internal network adapter. Full-size slots can accommodate either 12" or 7" Nubus cards.
5) 7" Nubus card: This model has one or more 7" Nubus slots available for the installation of an internal network adapter. 7" slots can accommodate only the smaller 7" size Nubus cards.
6) PDS card: This model has one or more PDS slots available for the installation of an internal network adapter. The different varieties of PDS card are designed differently and require cards of their specific type, so make sure you get the right one.
7) LC PDS card: This model has one or more LC PDS slots available for the installation of an internal network adapter. The different varieties of PDS card are designed differently and require cards of their specific type, so make sure you get the right one.
8) LC III PDS card: This model has one or more LC III PDS slots available for the installation of an internal network adapter. The different varieties of PDS card are designed differently and require cards of their specific type, so make sure you get the right one.
9) Comm Slot card: This model has a Comm Slot available for the installation of an internal network adapter. The different varieties of Comm Slot card are designed differently and require cards of their specific type, so make sure you get the right one.
10) Comm Slot II card: This model has a Comm Slot II available for the installation of an internal network adapter. The different varieties of Comm Slot card are designed differently and require cards of their specific type, so make sure you get the right one.
11) Transceiver: This model has an external AAUI port available for the connection of an AAUI-to-10BaseT Ethernet transceiver. There are other kinds of transceiver available (such as 10Base2 and 10Base5), so make sure you get 10BaseT. The AAUI is a trapezoidal port on the back similar in design to the monitor port, but slightly smaller.
12) SCSI Adapter: An adapter that connects to the Mac's SCSI port and provides a 10BaseT Ethernet port. These adapters are hard to find and only work with certain (usually older) Mac models, and so should be sought out as the last resort.
13) PowerBook SCSI Adapter: An adapter that connects to the PowerBook's SCSI port and provides a 10BaseT Ethernet port. These adapters are hard to find and only work with certain (usually older) PowerBook models, and so should be sought out as the last resort.
14) PCMCIA card: An adapter that you insert into the PCMCIA slot of a PowerBook. Note that there are different "types" of PCMCIA card, type I, type II, and type III. PowerBooks can use up to two type I or type II cards simultaneously, but only a single type III card.
15) CardBus PC card: An adapter that connects to the CardBus slot of a PowerBook. CardBus is an updated version of the PCMCIA slot with higher data transmission speeds. The CardBus slot is backwards compatible and also allows use of PCMCIA cards.
16) PowerBook PDS slot: A PowerBook PDS slot (primarily used in the 500 series) that enables it to use PCMCIA cards, including those with Ethernet capability. Note that the PowerBook PDS slot is not compatible with desktop Mac PDS slots.
17) AirDock: This model has an AirDock slot available for the installation of an internal AirDock network adapter. The AirDock adapter adds wireless Ethernet capability in proximity to an AirDock station.
18) SE/30 PDS card: A network adapter that occupies the internal expansion slot of a Mac SE/30. This kind of adapter is made only for this model.
19) SE PDS card: A network adapter that occupies the internal expansion slot of a Mac SE. This kind of adapter is made only for this model.
20) PB 1400 Slot: Internal slot on the PowerBook 1400 for 10BaseT Ethernet. Focus, Farallon, and Newer Tech made such cards.