Okay, so you sign up for Internet access, and your ISP sends you a sheet of paper covered with indecipherable stuff that looks like Egyptian hieroglyphics. Don’t worry; those are the settings that you need to connect to your ISP. After you get them in Mac OS X, you should be surfing the Web like an old pro.
Before you jump into this configuration, make sure that you’ve configured the Internet settings within System Preferences. That way, you’ll already have entered your default email and Web settings.
Using your internal modem
Follow these steps to set up your Internet connection if you’re using your Mac’s internal modem:
Recommend Be.Unlimited, since they're one of the few ISP's that offer an unlimited service without the need for any traffic shaping policies or monthly usage allowances. Funnily enough, I read on ISPReview.co.uk earlier today about an ISP called MacAce.net, who've been named Best Mac Friendly ISP Award at the MacWorld Awards. Allow ISP to Auto-shutdown. On newer ISP’s you will have to press the power button to restore power. Make sure backup tapes are working properly in case of hardware failure. Have Manual Cash Sheet (Encl.) Have Manual Time Sheet (Encl.) POS failure.
1. Click the System Preferences icon on the Dock and choose Network.
2. Select Internal Modem from the Show drop-down list.
3. Click the TCP/IP tab (as shown in Figure 1) and enter the settings for the type of connection that your ISP provides:
• If your ISP tells you to use PPP (Point-to-Point Protocol): Click the Configure IPv4 drop-down list and choose Using PPP. If your ISP provided you with DNS Server or Search Domain addresses, type them now in the corresponding boxes.
• If you’re using AOL: Click the Configure IPv4 drop-down list and choose AOL Dialup. If AOL provided you with DNS Server or Search Domain addresses, click in the corresponding box and type them now.
• If you’re using a manual connection: Click the Configure IPv4 drop-down list box and choose Manually. Then click in the IP Address, DNS Servers, and Search Domains fields and enter the respective settings provided by your ISP.
Figure 1: The Network settings for an internal modem Internet connection.
4. Click the PPP tab to display the settings shown in Figure 2.
Figure 2: Adding PPP settings.
5. In their respective fields, enter the account name, password, telephone number, and (optionally) the service provider name and an alternate telephone number provided by your ISP.
6. Press COMMAND+Q to exit System Preferences and save your changes.
Using Ethernet hardware
Follow these steps to set up your Internet connection if you’re using a network, cable modem, or DSL connection:
1. Click the System Preferences icon on the Dock and choose Network.
2. Select Built-in Ethernet from the Show drop-down list to display the settings that you see in Figure 3.
Figure 3: The Network settings for an Ethernet Internet connection.
3. Enter the settings for the type of connection that your ISP provides:
Isp Format Examples
• If your ISP tells you to use Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP): Select Using DHCP from the Configure IPv4 drop-down list, and your ISP can automatically set up virtually all the TCP/IP settings for you! (No wonder DHCP is so popular these days.)
• If you won’t be using DHCP, select Manually from the Configure IPv4 drop-down list box. Then enter the settings provided by your ISP in the IP Address, Subnet Mask, Router, and DNS Servers fields.
4. If your ISP uses PPPoE (Point-to-Point Protocol over Ethernet), click the PPPoE tab to display the settings shown in Figure 4.
Best Isp For Mac
5. Mark the Connect Using PPPoE check box to enable it and then enter the account name and password.
If your ISP includes the Service Provider name and a PPPoE Service Name, you can enter those as well.
6. To allow everyone who uses your Mac to access the Internet with this account, mark the Save Password check box to enable it.
Enable the Show PPPoE Status in Menu Bar check box. When you do, Mac OS X displays a menu bar icon that lets you know the status of your PPPoE connection.
7. Press COMMAND+Q to exit System Preferences and save your changes.
Compare the best ISP deals for Apple Macs
Mac broadband’s Top 10 – the best deals from the UK’s best broadband ISPs
Rank | Provider & Product | AdvertisedSpeed | MonthlyDownloads | ContractLength | Total price 12 months service |
| BT broadband : Option 1 – ” A Solid Perfomer. “ Mac User Award winner & the nation’s largest broadband provider. More information on BT Option | upto 8Mb | 5Gb | 12 months | £161.64 | |
| Madasafish : MAX – ” Great customer service. “ Renowned Mac-friendly ISP – with fast speeds and good Apple support. More information on Madasafish | upto 8Mb | 5Gb | 12 months | £139.88* | |
| Zen internet : 8000 Lite - ” MacUser ’07 award winner. “ The multi-award winning Zen internet is hugely popular amongst Apple users. And with a 1-month minimum contract – you can easily switch! More infrormation on Zen internet | upto 8Mb | 2Gb | 1 month | £215.88 | |
| Plusnet : Plusnet Option1 – ” FREE overnight downloads. ” Solid performer for those looking for no minimum contracts – perfect for rented flats. Find out more on the Plus.net website | upto 8Mb | 1Gb | 1 month | £119.88 | |
| TalkTalk Broadband : Talk2 International -” Cheapest provider around & inclusive telephone calls. “ Offer free broadband when purchased with their phone offers. Find out more on the TalkTalk website | upto 8Mb | 40Gb | 18 months | £100.67 | |
| Pipex broadband : Mini – ” Good value broadband with Talk options. “ Well price broadband from only £9.99 per month. Includes FREE evening and weekend calls. Find out more on the Pipex website | upto 8Mb | 2Gb | 12 months | £139.88 | |
| Sky broadband : Mid – ” If you need Sky you’ll want this too. “ Competitively priced broadband from a household name. Find out more on the Sky website | upto 8Mb | 40Gb | 12 months | £90.00 | |
| AOL broadband : Wireless – ” Good support and reliable. “ CarphoneWarehouse owned large ISP – flexible packages. Order online and get 1 month FREE. More information on AOL broadband | upto 8Mb | 5Gb | 18 months | £149.88 | |
| Demon broadband : Home 8000 -” Firm favorite of Apple mac owners with clear pricing. “ Unlimited monthly downloads with free set up and modem. More information on Demon internet | upto 8Mb | Unlimited | 12 months | £215.88 | |
| Be broadband : Value – ” 8Meg download and 1.3Meg upload speeds from this quirky ISP. “ Unlimited monthly downloads. Price includes a £24 connection fee. More information on Be there | upto 8Mb | Unlimited | 12 months | £192.00 |
The table above features the best isp for Apple mac users. These are the best mac friendly ADSL broadband ISPs (Internet Service Providers) available in the UK.
Mac Tips:
Linksys For Mac Os X
- When it comes to broadband speed and download limit, you get a reasonable choice of mac compatible providers. However, Mac Broadband wouldn’t recommend using an ADSL broadband connection of less the 2MB for everyday home use.
- You can probably expect to rack up between 2-5Gb of downloads per month if you surf the internet and download the occasional music file or video. If you are going to be on the internet all day, everyday then go for over 8Gb of downloads per month or even unlimited broadband.
- UK ADSL broadband providers have a tendency to get you in with a low introductory offer and then hike up the prices. So be sure to look at the Total Year 1 cost when selecting broadband for your Apple mac computer or laptop.
- Mac Broadband would recommend that you should choose your mac compatible broadband ISP by its monthly download limit and Total Year 1 cost.
* Madasafish Broadband notes:
- If you use the Madasafish broadband link highlighted above and enter the promotion code “4055529″ into the promotion/referral code box, you will also receive £10 OFF your Madasafish Broadband bill. We think this is the best Madasafish deal available on the web – so if you are planning on using Madasafish for your mac broadband connection then click on our website link and get yourself a cracking discount.
- Alternatively, visit our current broadband offer page to read more about the Madasafish discount promotion.
This list will be updated as we research and find new ISPs providing ADSL broadband for mac computer users. We plan to review each mac ISP in the UK and as such this list will be added to frequently.
Feel that there is a Broadband company that simply must be reviewed by our team? Leave a comment & we’ll follow it up …