I was searching online to see if I could find the answer to my question and I wasn't able to find any information. I think it is because these computers are so expensive and there are not a lot of people playing with them yet because they are still relatively new technology. I wanted to join the forum and start this thread so that I can document what happens for everyone else and just to get some general feedback.
Ok so my question is if I can drop the wireless card from a 2013 27" iMac into an 2012 27" iMac and give it native wireless AC without the need for an external USB card. I believe they have the same socket and it should just be plug and play. The only issue I can think of is that the antenna could be slightly different, but I'm not sure about that. I have seen a couple threads where someone was asking about if a third party card would work, and they were getting jumped all over because "why would you open up your perfectly good computer and ruin it wasting $$$$$$$$$$$$" etc etc etc. However, I didn't see anyone asking about the 2013 iMac card which you can get on eBay now for pretty cheap, and if you need to open your computer already for some other repairs, then you aren't risking your super expensive computer needlessly or whatever.
What I have is an 2012 27" iMac that was dropped by the previous owner, this caused the housing to get bent a little in one corner and cracked the glass that is glued to the LCD badly although LCD still works just fine. I've been using the computer as is with no problems while I have been searching for a replacement housing and screen. Screens seem to be in short supply and are very expensive when they do show up because breaking the screen appears to be one of the most common issues with these. Anyways, I was able to score a 2013 27" iMac on craigslist for $250, that has a dead logic board and a perfect screen and housing. I'm going to swap my 2012 internals into the 2013 because they have the same housing and keep on trucking.
I'll report back and let you know how it goes. I plan to work on it soon, I just scored the 2013 yesterday so I haven't done any work yet. My plan is to just switch the WiFi card when I swap the internals.
Ok so my question is if I can drop the wireless card from a 2013 27" iMac into an 2012 27" iMac and give it native wireless AC without the need for an external USB card. I believe they have the same socket and it should just be plug and play. The only issue I can think of is that the antenna could be slightly different, but I'm not sure about that. I have seen a couple threads where someone was asking about if a third party card would work, and they were getting jumped all over because "why would you open up your perfectly good computer and ruin it wasting $$$$$$$$$$$$" etc etc etc. However, I didn't see anyone asking about the 2013 iMac card which you can get on eBay now for pretty cheap, and if you need to open your computer already for some other repairs, then you aren't risking your super expensive computer needlessly or whatever.
What I have is an 2012 27" iMac that was dropped by the previous owner, this caused the housing to get bent a little in one corner and cracked the glass that is glued to the LCD badly although LCD still works just fine. I've been using the computer as is with no problems while I have been searching for a replacement housing and screen. Screens seem to be in short supply and are very expensive when they do show up because breaking the screen appears to be one of the most common issues with these. Anyways, I was able to score a 2013 27" iMac on craigslist for $250, that has a dead logic board and a perfect screen and housing. I'm going to swap my 2012 internals into the 2013 because they have the same housing and keep on trucking.
I'll report back and let you know how it goes. I plan to work on it soon, I just scored the 2013 yesterday so I haven't done any work yet. My plan is to just switch the WiFi card when I swap the internals.
