MacBook Pro 802.11ac upgrade

[tabormeister]

Update

Sorry guys, I've unfortunately come to realize that the antenna connectors on the cMBP are too large to be used with the new rMBP 802.11ac cards. I feel like I got so close to finishing the project, yet failed. This would've been an excellent Kickstarter. I even spent the time on developing an adapter board. Feel free to chime in.

Photos:

GUYS this doesn't have to die! Antenna adapters are a thing, and SUPER cheap! https://www.ebay.com/itm/IPEX-MHF4-...or-intel-7265-8260-8265-M-2-Card/172552570831 is all we need I'm pretty sure. I've used these adapters to go from a standard MSATA WiFi card to an M.2 one. I can test them on a retina Macbook Pro and a 2011 17" if need be

 

[highvoltage12v]

Update

Sorry guys, I've unfortunately come to realize that the antenna connectors on the cMBP are too large to be used with the new rMBP 802.11ac cards. I feel like I got so close to finishing the project, yet failed. This would've been an excellent Kickstarter. I even spent the time on developing an adapter board. Feel free to chime in.

Photos:

Hate to revive a dead thread but with every Mac OS version they kill off a broadcom chipset, I fear the bcm94322 is next to go. It's used in a lot of Macs such as the 2012 13" and 15" MBPs and the 2012 Mac Mini. This adapter+the 2015 (661-02893 ) iMac airport card (which has the correct IPX connectors) is what we need to bring Bluetooth 4.2 and AC wifi to these older Macs.

 

[tabormeister]

Hate to revive a dead thread but with every Mac OS version they kill off a broadcom chipset, I fear the bcm94322 is next to go. It's used in a lot of Macs such as the 2012 13" and 15" MBPs and the 2012 Mac Mini. This adapter+the 2015 (661-02893 ) iMac airport card (which has the correct IPX connectors) is what we need to bring Bluetooth 4.2 and AC wifi to these older Macs.

Yeah!! Can anyone figure out how to contact the OP board developer? Or maybe @CodeJingle would be willing to dev an adapter together. Antenna adapters are cheap as flip.

 

[highvoltage12v]

Yeah!! Can anyone figure out how to contact the OP board developer? Or maybe @CodeJingle would be willing to dev an adapter together. Antenna adapters are cheap as flip.

You won't need antanna adapters with a 2015 iMac card. Same ipx connectors.

 

[satinsilverem2]

The qcard is a legit product. They are made on an as-needed basis though as they are a niche product so delays are common. I had to wait for mine. Aside from introducing a pause on boot or wake, its worked fine for me.

Im not trying to be difficult but can I see some proof. I'm really curious as to what it looks like and installed into the machines.

 

[mentaluproar]

I'd rather not open up my MacBook right now. I can describe what I remember though. It looked like a regular airport car with a wrapper around it that have the company logo on it.

 

[CashMONEYPancakes]

You won't need antanna adapters with a 2015 iMac card. Same ipx connectors.

Do you have more information regarding 802.11ac WiFi in a Mid 2012 Non-Retina MBP?

I would love to add Apple Watch unlock and faster WiFi speeds to my old machine.

I have tried quite unsuccessfully to order the QuickerTech card.

Those antennae adapters and the BroadCom seem like a win. Is that right?

 

[highvoltage12v]

Do you have more information regarding 802.11ac WiFi in a Mid 2012 Non-Retina MBP?

I would love to add Apple Watch unlock and faster WiFi speeds to my old machine.

I have tried quite unsuccessfully to order the QuickerTech card.

Those antennae adapters and the BroadCom seem like a win. Is that right?

We all need that green PCB that was shown on page 4. I'm Just pointing out we won't need IPX adapters to make a different MacBook Pro card to work with our MacBook pro's when we can use the iMac's card. We're all stuck untill someone can recreate that PCB.
The card I'm talking about is the bcm943602cdp which has the larger IPX connectors. We use them in the Mac Pro. As for space issues .I removed my optical drive long ago and will chop my drive doubler to make it fit.

 

[CashMONEYPancakes]

We all need that green PCB that was shown on page 4. I'm Just pointing out we won't need IPX adapters to make a different MacBook Pro card to work with our MacBook pro's when we can use the iMac's card. We're all stuck untill someone can recreate that PCB.
The card I'm talking about is the bcm943602cdp which has the larger IPX connectors. We use them in the Mac Pro. As for space issues .I removed my optical drive long ago and will chop my drive doubler to make it fit.

BCM943602CDP won’t fit with just the IPX adapters? I too removed the optical drive and have some extra space to play with.

It looked like that card was a Kickstarter project that failed to launch.

 

[satinsilverem2]

BCM943602CDP won’t fit with just the IPX adapters? I too removed the optical drive and have some extra space to play with.

It looked like that card was a Kickstarter project that failed to launch.

I believe all IPX connectors are the same standard 2.0mm size. In all my years of messing with WIFI cards Ive never come across a different size.

 

[highvoltage12v]

I believe all IPX connectors are the same standard 2.0mm size. In all my years of messing with WIFI cards Ive never come across a different size.

Starting with Laptops 2014 and newer I have came across smaller connector called ipex-4. I later learned what the proper term is when I installed an Asus AW-CB160H (which is no longer in the Mac Pro rather 2011 iMac) Here you see what the smaller connector looks like in comparison to the older larger one. The MacBook Air uses the same smaller connector, it also would have helped @troop231 on page 4. Here is the link to the adapters I used https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07BH2J7ZT/

 

[JB59]

I just wanted to chime in about my experiences with Quickertek- I ordered the Ucard last Oct. and inquired a week later when it would be shipped. I was told they were waiting on another batch of chips from China. After a month I inquired again and was told it would be a few more days as they were upgrading software. After another month I cancelled my order and am waiting for a refund.

From Donna @ quickertek:

Nov. 2nd: Do you have any time frame for me to give to the UCard people?

Nov. 2nd: Mr. B., I finally heard back. We are waiting for a backordered part from overseas to finish the rev. I hope this can be wrapped up within 1 month. If I get more info I will let you know right away. Thanks, QT

Nov. 2nd: Sir, I have not heard back yet on the UCards. Will let you know as soon as I do. If you cannot continue to wait we understand. You can reach me here on Wed. and Fridays.

Dec. 12th: Sir, The latest info I have is that a revision is being done to accomadate the latest OS. If you cannot wait we understand. Sorry, I couldn't be more specific.

Dec. 12th: Sir, I'm sorry, I don't have a ship date, and I didn't want to just throw a guess at you.

Jan. 25th: Sir, I can have your refund processed by 2/6/19. You will receive an email receipt.

 

[satinsilverem2]

Sounds like pretty much every one else’s experience with this company/ product. Ive only heard of one person actually getting the card and i asked for proof and he wasn’t able to (not calling him a liar by any means). At this point I think that its pointless as the 2011 and older MacBooks are not even able to be upgraded to Mojave or higher and a lot of people myself included, have upgraded to newer machines. I think a few years ago this was a fantastic concept but just didn’t happen.

 

[JB59]

This would be for my mid-2012 non-retina MBP (running Mojave)- i7 2.9, 1.5gb Graphics 4000, SSD and 16gb ram. ac is all I need to get a bit more life out of it.

 

[mentaluproar]

Sounds like pretty much every one else’s experience with this company/ product. Ive only heard of one person actually getting the card and i asked for proof and he wasn’t able to (not calling him a liar by any means). At this point I think that its pointless as the 2011 and older MacBooks are not even able to be upgraded to Mojave or higher and a lot of people myself included, have upgraded to newer machines. I think a few years ago this was a fantastic concept but just didn’t happen.

That would be me. -waves-

 

[JB59]

That would be me. -waves-

Hi Uproar- Can you enlighten us on your experience with Quickertek? (They were nothing if not polite to me).
When did you order this, when did you receive it? What type of speeds are you getting? Could you take a screen shot of your System Information to show us what it looks like? Appreciate it! jb

PS- Do you have the Ucard or the Qcard- It's the Ucard that seems to be the problem with delivery

(If Quickertek would demonstrate they could ship the product in a timely manner, I would probably order again-)

 

[satinsilverem2]

That would be me. -waves-

me too

 

[troop231]

Hey everyone, sorry it has been so long. I am willing to consider this again, except I do not have my 2011 MBP anymore that I used to base the original PCB prototype off of.

 

[highvoltage12v]

Hey everyone, sorry it has been so long. I am willing to consider this again, except I do not have my 2011 MBP anymore that I used to base the original PCB prototype off of.

If you were to consider another Macbook Pro, I suggest the 2012 a1286 with 650m they are solid Machines and at this time (2019) they support metal, although the 2012 a1278 work as well with metal.

 

[troop231]

How many people would still be interested in this?

 

[burgman]

If this is for internet access then 150 Mbps is plenty. I doubt if anyone has a internet connection that is faster than 54 Mbps!

But if you want to network within your home or work then more the merrier...

What? Maybe in your location, lots of cities have fiber or Cable company fast internet.

 

[troop231]

This would also be useful for LAN file transfers, video streaming, Handoff, etc.

 

[troop231]

Chiming in again. Prototype testing is underway and the results will be known within a week.

 

[majer]

Hi - I am in

ps.

Maybe a got source for ports
Airport Card Flex Cable - Apple Mac Mini Unibody A1347 Mid 2011 Late 2012
821-1288

 

[troop231]

I have the ports on tape and reel direct from the manufacturer. Just waiting on the A1278 MBP to arrive in order to test the adapter.

Hi - I am in

ps.

Maybe a got source for ports
Airport Card Flex Cable - Apple Mac Mini Unibody A1347 Mid 2011 Late 2012
821-1288