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Wifi AC & Bluetooth Airport Card for Mac Pro 4,1 and 5,1

I realize that I'm digging up an old thread.... but, I have a 2012 Mac Pro 5.1. I am attempting to use the wireless 'magic' keyboard and trackpad from a distance of +/- 12'. The trackpad is glitchy and the keyboard keeps disconnecting. Turning off WiFi helps a little, but doesn't solve the problem.
I have read about the 4.0 upgrade card... does this upgrade improve the performance (distance)?
 
gbryant said:
I realize that I'm digging up an old thread.... but, I have a 2012 Mac Pro 5.1. I am attempting to use the wireless 'magic' keyboard and trackpad from a distance of +/- 12'. The trackpad is glitchy and the keyboard keeps disconnecting. Turning off WiFi helps a little, but doesn't solve the problem.
I have read about the 4.0 upgrade card... does this upgrade improve the performance (distance)?
Click to expand...

I find there's a bit of a BT dead zone above the machine, when you're getting problems, try moving the keyboard down level with the base of the machine, and see if it stabilises.
 
Did not help...

Edit: I am now using the new version 2 keyboard and trackpad. I am experiencing no connection problems from same distance.
The older generation devices are now being used on my Mini with no problems... but they are within 15" of the computer.
 
Last edited:
gbryant said:
I realize that I'm digging up an old thread.... but, I have a 2012 Mac Pro 5.1. I am attempting to use the wireless 'magic' keyboard and trackpad from a distance of +/- 12'. The trackpad is glitchy and the keyboard keeps disconnecting. Turning off WiFi helps a little, but doesn't solve the problem.
I have read about the 4.0 upgrade card... does this upgrade improve the performance (distance)?
Click to expand...

It's more about the antenna, upgrade to BT4.0 won't help much. Anyway, it seems that you already find your work around.
 
got this from a seller in Holland here in Europe via Ebay and found out it is compatible Mountain Lion and onwards ... Snow Leopard and Lion would not see neither Wifi AC nor Bluetooth 4.0 , on MacPro 5.1
[doublepost=1498830215][/doublepost]Internet Sharing via Bluetooth PAN to Ipad would work quite stable on Mountain Lion, Mavericks, Yosemite , Sierra. It would not work on ElCapitan (maybe a bug there?) and the speed difference is in my opionion not that big when compared with Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR.
 
Can anybody tell me the exact part No of the adapter card (not the WiFi/BT module) needed for cMP 5,1?
[doublepost=1520929731][/doublepost]P.S. I see that MVC product is with antennas facing upwards, but some other products on e-bay for 5,1 are with antennas downwards...
 
pastrychef said:
As h9826790 has stated, 2.4GHz Wifi can have drastically negative affects to Bluetooth. On my card, if I connect to a 2.4GHz network, my Magic Mouse becomes nearly unusable. On a 5GHz, network, the Magic Mouse performs beautifully. My mouse is only about 3 feet away from the antennas.
Click to expand...
My 2009 cMP doesn't have WiFi and I generally don't need to use it. I also have BT/magic mouse lagging issues and I was looking at the MacVidCards solution. From what you're saying, am I right to assume that I'd be better off just looking for a BT upgrade solution on its own? The WiFi router in our studio only has 2.4ghz.
 
Upgrader said:
My 2009 cMP doesn't have WiFi and I generally don't need to use it. I also have BT/magic mouse lagging issues and I was looking at the MacVidCards solution. From what you're saying, am I right to assume that I'd be better off just looking for a BT upgrade solution on its own? The WiFi router in our studio only has 2.4ghz.
Click to expand...

Some people just got themselves a cheap little USB Bluetooth adaptor and situated it so that it is closer to their mouse/keyboard and got much better results. Something like this:
star-usbbt1edr2.jpg
 
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h9826790 said:
For your info, the holes on the cases are good enough to route the cables. Not necessary occupy a PCIe slot just for that.
View attachment 796188 View attachment 796189
Click to expand...
Thanks Lou - yes, I'd seen someone else mention this elsewhere on the forum - I think they mentioned drilling into the case itself. I'm guessing the antenna will work the same whether it's mounted upright or just laying on the floor? Feels safer to mount it somehow.
 
Upgrader said:
Thanks Lou - yes, I'd seen someone else mention this elsewhere on the forum - I think they mentioned drilling into the case itself. I'm guessing the antenna will work the same whether it's mounted upright or just laying on the floor? Feels safer to mount it somehow.
Click to expand...

That's the wifi antenna, not the BT one. The SMA connector next to it extend the BT cable, and then BT antenna (same model, anyway) is placed at a hidden place just about a feet away from the mouse at the optimum angle on the desk.

They are all 8 dBi gain antenna. And they are not randomly left on the floor / desk. The antennas are placed at the correct direction to make my mouse / router / Airdrop devices / etc stay at the effective single coverage zone.
image.png


I have no idea if mount them on something will be better or not. But obviously as long as I put them at a reasonable position (mainly outside the metal case) with correct direct. The wireless connections will be good.

1170Mbps wifi connection. Airdrop usually around 15MB/s (vary between 10-20MB/s)
1170Mbps.png


Magic Mouse connection stay at 100% Link Quality
Screenshot 2018-10-18 at 20.01.56.png
Screenshot 2018-10-18 at 20.03.07.png
 
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So I finally got the parts delivered to upgrade my BT.

- U.FL Mini PCI to RP-SMA cable
- and an antenna by Alfa - an ARS-N19 TNC 9dbi WiFi booster RP TNC screw on connection.

The two connections aren't compatible.

Can anyone recommend a good antenna that will connect to my RP-SMA cable? Alternately, a suitable cable for my antenna. I'm searching high and low here and nothing appears to be compatible.

Thanks.
 

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Upgrader said:
So I finally got the parts delivered to upgrade my BT.

- U.FL Mini PCI to RP-SMA cable
- and an antenna by Alfa - an ARS-N19 TNC 9dbi WiFi booster RP TNC screw on connection.

The two connections aren't compatible.

Can anyone recommend a good antenna that will connect to my RP-SMA cable? Alternately, a suitable cable for my antenna. I'm searching high and low here and nothing appears to be compatible.

Thanks.
Click to expand...

There should be plenty of SMA antenna on the net. I just did a quick search on amazon, lots of options.

e.g. This one

https://www.amazon.com/HUACAM-2-4GH...f_rd_t=40701&refRID=4H7TBBPPEKDBPG6YH010&th=1
 
As an Amazon Associate, MacRumors earns a commission from qualifying purchases made through links in this post.
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