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

I have a mid 2010 MacBook and a Late 2009 MacBook (both a1342) apparently the a1286 and a1297 MacBook pro’s all have the same wifi card, will this work on my 2010? I’m looking for an upgrade cause I’m so used to airdrop and apple watch unlock. And I can’t exactly airdrop, handoff, and use Apple Watch unlock. The wifi card is too old. Do they have the same connector as for the adapter? I really hope it works, and where exactly do you buy the adapter board? I’d gladly buy one.
 
Mystic Mithical said:
I have a mid 2010 MacBook and a Late 2009 MacBook (both a1342) apparently the a1286 and a1297 MacBook pro’s all have the same wifi card, will this work on my 2010? I’m looking for an upgrade cause I’m so used to airdrop and apple watch unlock. And I can’t exactly airdrop, handoff, and use Apple Watch unlock. The wifi card is too old. Do they have the same connector as for the adapter? I really hope it works, and where exactly do you buy the adapter board? I’d gladly buy one.
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Read the thread.
 
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troop231 said:
Sold out last night.. Maybe month or two, just have to keep checking website! :) We will also post in this thread when stock is replenished, so make sure you have thread notifications turned on.
Click to expand...

Finally, I got it. Order came in a few weeks ago while I was on holiday with family. Now I had time to install it.
And it works great on High Sierra (MBP 2011 - 15inch) !!!

Next door there are several other wifi units from neighbours. Most of them badly configured or bad channel setup.
With the old card I got on 802.11n barely 200-300Mbps. Sometimes 450Mbps, but only in late evenings when the neighbours have stopped using their wireless stuff. On daytime plain internet browsing could sometime be very irratic due to all the interference. TimeMachine backup's were very slow.

Now the new card:
RX speed: 1000-1300Mbps
TX speed: 600-800Mbps

Even though the DSL is only 70Mbps, internet browsing over Wifi is now way more responsive with the new card. 802.11ac clearly handles all the interference way better.

Notice: We have only one AP in our house: Zyxell WAX650S. It is installed almost centrally in the house, so that all 4 levels are evenly covered without the need of repeaters (which create more interference for others and usually slow the network down).
 
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Powerbooky said:
Finally, I got it. Order came in a few weeks ago while I was on holiday with family. Now I had time to install it.
And it works great on High Sierra (MBP 2011 - 15inch) !!!

Next door there are several other wifi units from neighbours. Most of them badly configured or bad channel setup.
With the old card I got on 802.11n barely 200-300Mbps. Sometimes 450Mbps, but only in late evenings when the neighbours have stopped using their wireless stuff. On daytime plain internet browsing could sometime be very irratic due to all the interference. TimeMachine backup's were very slow.

Now the new card:
RX speed: 1000-1300Mbps
TX speed: 600-800Mbps

Even though the DSL is only 70Mbps, internet browsing over Wifi is now way more responsive with the new card. 802.11ac clearly handles all the interference way better.

Notice: We have only one AP in our house: Zyxell WAX650S. It is installed almost centrally in the house, so that all 4 levels are evenly covered without the need of repeaters (which create more interference for others and usually slow the network down).
Click to expand...
Great!
 
Powerbooky said:
Finally, I got it. Order came in a few weeks ago while I was on holiday with family. Now I had time to install it.
And it works great on High Sierra (MBP 2011 - 15inch) !!!

Next door there are several other wifi units from neighbours. Most of them badly configured or bad channel setup.
With the old card I got on 802.11n barely 200-300Mbps. Sometimes 450Mbps, but only in late evenings when the neighbours have stopped using their wireless stuff. On daytime plain internet browsing could sometime be very irratic due to all the interference. TimeMachine backup's were very slow.

Now the new card:
RX speed: 1000-1300Mbps
TX speed: 600-800Mbps

Even though the DSL is only 70Mbps, internet browsing over Wifi is now way more responsive with the new card. 802.11ac clearly handles all the interference way better.

Notice: We have only one AP in our house: Zyxell WAX650S. It is installed almost centrally in the house, so that all 4 levels are evenly covered without the need of repeaters (which create more interference for others and usually slow the network down).
Click to expand...
Repeaters suck, mesh is better.
 
i agree with mesh, I'm still using hard wire Access Point to extend Wifi to my rental units, 2 separate homes on a single lot, that way i can setup a separate SSID network name.
 
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tabormeister said:
Asus Aimesh lets you sync several different SSID's across the whole mesh, it's incredible
Click to expand...
Just yesterday I finally replaced my loved AC87U, 7 years working, with an AX88U. One reason for me to change it was that the wifi coverage didn´t get all the house, so i was planning to use the Aimesh. But, surprise, this router covers all the house now, and amazing speeds. Asus routers rock.
 
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******* said:
Just yesterday I finally replaced my loved AC87U, 7 years working, with an AX88U. One reason for me to change it was that the wifi coverage didn´t get all the house, so i was planning to use the Aimesh. But, surprise, this router covers all the house now, and amazing speeds. Asus routers rock.
Click to expand...
Agreed. Got upgraded to 1400mbps down service so HAD to (ha not really) upgrade local network equipment....moto mb8611 modem w/2.5gig port and an AX89X w/two 10gig ports, one sfp+ to 10gbe adapter, two USB 2.5gig adapters and a 2.5gbe switch and I'm getting that actual speed on the lan. It's wild.
 
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received mine months ago and just installed it last night I can feel the difference.

Soon to test the Bluetooth and the apple watch.

took me about 20 min. for a full installation everything was straight forward
 
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tabormeister said:
Repeaters suck, mesh is better.
Click to expand...

Repeaters or Mesh... both not good in an environment with too much other transmitters around. The 2,4GHz band is pretty much useless here, so much interference. Multiple cordless phones, bluetooth devices, Hue, wireless intercom systems and other wireless stuff all from neighbours. One neighbour even installed an AP (all different cheap brands) on each floor, causing more trouble than it fixes. Even a wired mesh network won't do much good here.
So most IoT devices that don't need high speed still can use 2,4GHz. But all Mac's and other demanding devices use the 5GHz band now. My Macbook pro was the last one that needed 802.11AC :cool:
 
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Damnit!

So if anyone else isn't clear, the 17 inch 2009 MBP A1297 (5,2) IS NOT the same as the 17 inch 2010 MBP A1297. The first has the airport board in the screen, while the latter has it in the case.

The following is a guide for 2009 MBP 17 inch A1297 only!
www.ifixit.com

MacBook Pro 17" Unibody AirPort Board Replacement

Having issues with wireless connectivity? The problem could lie inside the AirPort Board. This guide will show you how to replace the AirPort card...
www.ifixit.com www.ifixit.com

I took apart my broken screen to verify (I just did a new round of loc-tite on the case screws, not going to open it).

I hope this helps the 1 or 2 other people on the planet still using a 2009 A1297 (5,2) who have gone through the trouble of having that little turd capacitor chip on their motherboard replaced.

Throwing in all those extra words so somebody can command-F and not read the whole thread.

Thanks guys!
 
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Just an FYI on this topic..
I can vouch for the Intriguing Industries solution. Works out of the box with Big Sur on A1278. I will say I did have issues on the install (lengths, fit, routing) and OS recovery but nothing too onerous - just required a bit of care/thought. I'm on a stock ISP Router but speed tripled so I'm happy. No doubt I could get faster but cost/benefit and all that.
 
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Does this mean if i replace the wifi card of my 2010 MacBook pro with a newer one I can finally use airdrop?
 
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Peter74 said:
Does this mean if i replace the wifi card of my 2010 MacBook pro with a newer one I can finally use airdrop?
Click to expand...
Totally revolutionises the machine. Airdrop, handoff, superfast 5Ghz wifi, and most importantly for me much greater range and more stable bluetooth. I can now have my magic mouse, keyboard and headphones all running and not have anything drop out
 
troop231 said:
Here is the product webpage: https://subtle.design/products/80211ac

I haven't listed inventory yet (hopefully by the weekend when I receive shipping supplies).

I want everyone who really wants one to be ready. Orders will be limited to two per buyer; if someone trys to buy three or more, I will cancel all but two.
Click to expand...
You should probably put this in the first post. It took my a billion years to find this since MacRumors now has thisstupid autoscroling feature that you can't disable. Whoever started that **** should probably be fire.
 
Cool product, but $200 is on the high end given the age of the mac. I'm wondering if there are any cheaper solutions out there? There's one guy that has DIY instructions but ain't nobody got time for all that. $75-99 would be a better price
 
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