Gaming adapter used as WiFi adapter for iMac

[Greg the dogsitter]

We'd like to use a gaming adapter to get teh internetz to MG's iMac. Is there anything hinky about these devices that'd let them work for a game system, but not for a computer?

[MacMagus]

Which gaming adapter?

What would you be connecting it to?

...And what's that thing that it would be connected to connected to?

[Greg the dogsitter]

We need something to bring the signal from our 802.11 router to an iMac's ethernet port. I don't have a particular adapter in mind.

[MacMagus]

Has your router got ethernet ports?

The cheap RF "network extender" gaming adapters extend an ethernet connection using a radio transmitter... plug one box into a router and the other box into your game system for roughly a 2Mb/s connection. I see them on Woot every once in awhile. 'Haven't tried one.

The more expensive ones are just 802.11 access points that have been relabeled for the gaming market.

If you want to connect a Mac to a wireless network without using a wireless card, an access point is usually the way to go, but for the price ( $40-90 dollars ) you might as well buy a second wireless router for the job (make sure that it can be used to extend a wireless network first) or pick up a used Airport card.

Alternatively, for $35 bucks plus shipping, you could get a USB wireless adapter from OWC that supposedly works with Macs. I don't know anyone who uses that adapter so I'd ask for opinions on it before buying it.
http://eshop.macsales.com/item/Asus/WL167G/

[ArtP]

Here is an old list that includes Wireless USB adapters that work on Macs. Look under Interface>USB

[BigGuynRusty]

My about 17 bux ViewSonic WAPBR100 works great with two of my EyeHomes, and also works great as an access point at my workbench in the garage, I didn't want to drill holes through the poured concrete walls to run enet so I just use this cigarette pack sized device.
I thank the lords I bought four!

BGnR

[Harbourmaster]

Greg

It looks like the wireless .b adapters have pretty well dried up in the retail chanels although still plentiful on eBay. We may never hear the end of the $17 Viewsonic deal from BGnR...

Here is a .g adapter from Buffalo that should work fine and isn't super expensive.

http://www.amazon.com/Technology-AirStat...36?ie=UTF8&s=electronics

[Harbourmaster]

This one is cheaper (and cheaper looking) http://www.amazon.com/TRENDnet-54Mbps-80...36?ie=UTF8&s=electronics

[Yoyodyne ArtWorks]

I vaguely recall (emphasis on "vaguely") that some of these adapters may have problems working with WPA and WEP encryption. Does that ring a bell with anybody?

[BigGuynRusty]

[quote Harbourmaster]We may never hear the end of the $17 Viewsonic deal from BGnR...
Not as long as I own them, and as long as you are envious!
Or is that a tinge of jealousy I hear?

BGnR