Monoprice

Monoprice 100516 Mac+ Modem Cable 6ft

5.0 (3 reviews)

Connect Your Legacy Mac to Modern PeripheralsIntroducing the Monoprice Mac+/Modem Cable. This cable is designed to connect older Apple Macintosh computers with 8-pin mini-DIN connectors to standard RS-232 external modems with a DB-25 connector, allowing you to bridge the gap between legacy and mo...

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Overview

Connect Your Legacy Mac to Modern Peripherals

Introducing the Monoprice Mac+/Modem Cable. This cable is designed to connect older Apple Macintosh computers with 8-pin mini-DIN connectors to standard RS-232 external modems with a DB-25 connector, allowing you to bridge the gap between legacy and modern devices.

Specifications:
  • Brand: Monoprice
  • Model: 100516
  • Connectors: MDIN8 Male to DB25 Male
  • Cable Length: 6 Feet
  • Color: Beige
  • Connector Type: DB25M
  • Compatible Devices: Modem
  • Connector Gender: Male-to-Male
  • Shape: Round

Key Features

Serial connections can be confusing and are even more so when you try to connect devices to the older Apple Macintosh computers

However you can trust Monoprice to have the cables you need for almost any situation! The Macintosh Plus (Mac+) used an 8-pin mini-DIN connector for it's serial output which used the balanced RS-422 interface instead of the more common RS-232

However with proper wiring this can be connected to standard RS-232 peripherals

This cable connects the Mac+ to a standard RS-232 external modem with a DB-25 connector

It has molded plugs and the DB-25 end has thumbscrews to secure it to the modem

Specifications

Brand
Monoprice
Model Number
100516
Cable Length
6ft
Connector 1
8-pin mini-DIN (for Mac+)
Connector 2
DB-25 (for RS-232 modem)
Macintosh Compatibility
Macintosh Plus (Mac+)
Modem Compatibility
Standard RS-232 external modem
Connector Features
Molded plugs, DB-25 end with thumbscrews
Interface Type
Connects Mac+ RS-422 to RS-232 peripherals

Pros & Cons

👍 Pros

  • Specifically designed to connect older Apple Macintosh Plus computers to standard RS-232 external modems.
  • Features molded plugs for durability and a secure connection, reducing the risk of accidental disconnections.
  • The DB-25 end includes thumbscrews, allowing it to be securely fastened to your modem for a stable connection.
  • Utilizes the proper wiring to connect the Mac+ (with its 8-pin mini-DIN RS-422 interface) to a standard RS-232 DB-25 modem.
  • Provides a clear and reliable solution for a potentially confusing serial connection setup unique to older Macintosh computers.

👎 Cons

  • Exclusively designed for connecting Macintosh Plus computers to RS-232 modems, making it highly niche and not versatile for other devices.
  • The 6ft length might be either too long or too short depending on the specific desk setup and distance between devices.
  • The cable's usefulness is limited to those still operating vintage Macintosh Plus computers with external modems.
  • Does not provide compatibility with newer Macintosh models or modems that utilize different serial or USB connections.
  • The description doesn't specify shielding quality, which could be a factor in environments with electromagnetic interference.

Frequently Asked Questions

This cable is designed to connect a Macintosh Plus (Mac+) computer to a standard RS-232 external modem with a DB-25 connector.
It features an 8-pin mini-DIN connector for the Mac+ end and a DB-25 connector with thumbscrews for the modem end.
No, this cable is specifically wired for the Macintosh Plus, which used an 8-pin mini-DIN connector with an RS-422 interface.
The cable has a length of 6 feet.
Yes, it has molded plugs for durability, and the DB-25 end is equipped with thumbscrews to secure it firmly to the modem.