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802.11ac and BT 4.2 are here for unibody MBPs and A1342 MB!

Hi @troop231

I received my adapter to the US promptly, thank you. But I have run into an issue with my 17" A1297.

I'm trying to install with a BCM943602CDP, but this card is waaaaay too long to install without folding/bending the 30pin cable. You can see in this picture:

Yes, I know you can see the legacy bracket underneath, I was just eyeballing how long a different card would need to be in order to have the same/original placement for the 30pin cable.
 
BeatCrazy said:
Hi @troop231

I received my adapter to the US promptly, thank you. But I have run into an issue with my 17" A1297.

I'm trying to install with a BCM943602CDP, but this card is waaaaay too long to install without folding/bending the 30pin cable. You can see in this picture:

Yes, I know you can see the legacy bracket underneath, I was just eyeballing how long a different card would need to be in order to have the same/original placement for the 30pin cable.
Click to expand...
I think you have the wrong person/thread. We didn't sell you an adapter or card. I think you need to get in touch with the DIY person. This is why we sell the entire product as a whole so people don't have these issues.
 
troop231 said:
I think you have the wrong person/thread. We didn't sell you an adapter or card. I think you need to get in touch with the DIY person. This is why we sell the entire product as a whole so people don't have these issues.
Click to expand...
Sorry about that.

I've received support from @jrumball, and realize now that the BCM943602CDP is not supported with his adapter.
 
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troop231 said:
I think you have the wrong person/thread. We didn't sell you an adapter or card. I think you need to get in touch with the DIY person. This is why we sell the entire product as a whole so people don't have these issues.
Click to expand...
That´s not fair. At all. The maker gave precise instructions and model compatible list. It´s to blame only the buyer. I have one of them and they work like a charm, like yours, 11.ac and bluetooth 4.2. I just think it´s perfect if you already have and wifi/bt module. Even if you don´t have it, it cost less than the half. Of course, I keep thinking yours it´s not expensive at all, given the quality of the whole product. Just plug and play.

By the way, @BeatCrazy , you can cut that card. The extra long don´t have any circuit.
 
******* said:
That´s not fair. At all. The maker gave precise instructions and model compatible list. It´s to blame only the buyer. I have one of them and they work like a charm, like yours, 11.ac and bluetooth 4.2. I just think it´s perfect if you already have and wifi/bt module. Even if you don´t have it, it cost less than the half. Of course, I keep thinking yours it´s not expensive at all, given the quality of the whole product. Just plug and play.

By the way, @BeatCrazy , you can cut that card. The extra long don´t have any circuit.
Click to expand...

The compatibility list/chart was updated after I had the fitment failure with the BCM943602CDP :)

I appreciate the tip about cutting the CDP card. I've already ordered a BCM943602CS, as it was inexpensive at $11.
 
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sat said:
Any chance there might be a version of this for MacBookAir devices of that era, such as the MacBookAir4,2?
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That MBA uses 12+6 pin like the retina MBP and is also a smaller card, so that won't work without creating another product.
 
Glad to report that my $2 open source adapter works great with a new wireless card! It can be downloaded for free from my GitHub and assembled in 30 minutes. BT 4.2 and WiFi AC are working great as well.

IMG_6319.JPG
 
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Hurray, I’ve placed an order for MBP 15 2012 mid. Hope a wifi adapter will be delivered soon :)
 
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tabormeister said:
Oof, price increased since last batch. I unfortunately can't do that, $150 was already stretching it. Was really looking forward to installing one in a 2012 mbp.
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Yeah I feel you, I was a bit thrown back by the new prices as well... The mid 2012 MPB can be found for the same price on ebay relatively frequently. Don't think it's worth it on that alone. Was really looking forward to it as well.

lightrack said:
You are right, I have read about an alternative way recently. The thing is that I just wanted to buy a plug n play product :) The more choices the better!
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I'm curious to know the alternative way you are speaking of. Is it Krutav's or similar open source method or another?
 
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Same as the others. US$200+tax+s&h is a bit too steep for what is essentially a $400 laptop.
Even if one or two PCBs from a professional fab aren't exactly cheap, I think Krutav's design is cheaper.
 
HedleyH, you are right, I meant Krutav's design.

I realize that a $200+ solution is a little bit pricey for this old laptop, but I hope mine will hold on for another 2-3 years, so it will make sense in the end. It solves my daily tasks pretty well, therefore I do not want to spend $4k+ for a brand new mbp 16 (32Gb, 4Tb) plus AppleCare+ :) My current mbp 15 2012 has i7, 16Gb and two SSD: 128Gb for Mac OS and 4Tb for data.
 
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HedleyH said:
The mid 2012 MPB can be found for the same price on ebay relatively frequently. Don't think it's worth it on that alone. Was really looking forward to it as well.
Click to expand...
Well, the 2012 was the last Apple to include a CD/DVD drive and is easily upgraded to 16GB RAM and up to 8TB SSD (yea, I know…but you can). A lot of people look for these including my daughter who will not let her Apple Engineer husband buy her anything newer. Add to that that these can run Mojave and Catalina without a hack (!) and Big Sur with one.

The weak point is WiFi/BT. Besides being slow, both are way unreliable 7-9 years later. I have 2 of these, both i7s. On one, the WiFi went dead in 2019 while it was BT on the other in 2020. Two of these cards later and both are back in business.

These have more value than many think.

I'm not married to mine but upgrading the card made a lot of sense*. My other choice is replacing it with something newer. If I get another year out of this 2012, it will be money well spent. I don't dare sell mine, of course—when/if it's replaced, will be shipped to my kid so that she has a backup/spare.

*along with new batteries and 2TB SSDs for both.

Of course, I am not you. We each have to make our own decisions in this regard.
 
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Thank you to all of the recent orders placed! On behalf of the company, we don't enjoy raising prices. What we do enjoy is reinvesting nearly 80% back into the business to develop new ideas for these older devices, arguably the best that Apple ever made. :) The value of these reliable, older devices far exceed their monetary market value.

We have some great stuff in the pipeline. It has been very humbling going from a garage-esque operation to now being able to lease an anechoic chamber. None of which would have been possible without our past and current customers.
 
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******* said:
They work like a charm. I have two of them. But there are much much cheaper options now. Working the same good.
Click to expand...
I agree, i bought 2 of this cheaper options for my Mid 2012 13" MBP ( no soldering needed) approximately $50 total cost including eBay wifi card, and they're excellent, but if you want plug n play this is the only option.
 
Cubytus said:
Same as the others. US$200+tax+s&h is a bit too steep for what is essentially a $400 laptop.
Even if one or two PCBs from a professional fab aren't exactly cheap, I think Krutav's design is cheaper.
Click to expand...
Much cheaper. They work like a charm.

www.intriguingindustries.co.uk

12+ 6 Adapter Kit v2 for MacBook Pro, MacBook, and Mac Mini - intriguing industries

Will upgrade you MacBook Pro, MacBook Air or Mac Mini up to 802.11ac 1300Mbps and BT 4.2 using a 12+6 WiFI card.
www.intriguingindustries.co.uk www.intriguingindustries.co.uk
 
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Well, on my end 802.11ac doesn't solve any issue that 802.11n couldn't (at only 300Mbps though).
Unlike @mikehalloran, WiFi performance is still stable, although BT does have intermittent connectivity issues with Magic Mouse and Magic Keyboard when CPU load is high, down to the point of unusability.

Besides, let's credit OP for the transparency, the updated Wifi/Bluetooth card may not work as well with certain functions, and that's precisely BT that's causing the most issues for me.

Krutav's design: soldering the standard mini-PCIe connector with a standard soldering iron isn't too difficult, but I wouldn't dare do it with the fine-pitched, proprietary Apple connector.
 
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