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

[troop231]

Quick update and question for people with the 13" A1278 MBPs: Are you willing to sacrifice the subwoofer for this upgrade? It is simply in the way, even with trimming. The wireless card needs to reside in part of the space the subwoofer resides in, otherwise the bottom lid wouldn't be fastened to the chassis in that corner.

The subwoofer doesn't add much to the sound 'quality' anyways being how small it is.

What are everyone's thoughts on this?

 

[89legendcoupe]

I have a 13" A1278 MBP and the speakers are already pretty lack luster on these older computers. The lack of a subwoofer couldn't make it sound much worse for the few times I use it. Unless its a quick video I usually cast to my tv or use headphones.

 

[Lear45]

Probably add another +1. Early 2011 13" MBP Unibody A1278

 

[sean barry]

I am pleased to announce that 5 years after my post found here (where I threw in the towel early): https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/macbook-pro-802-11ac-upgrade.1521466/page-4#post-18438927 , native 802.11ac WiFi is working on classic unibody MBPs!

All of this was performed on a Mid-2012 A1278 13" MBP with Mojave 10.14.3.

This upgrade should work on the following models:

15" - Mid 2010 through Mid 2012
13" - Early 2011 through Mid 2012

I was encouraged by several members, most prominently, @highvoltage12v , who said the iMac cards from 2015 have the proper IPX antenna jack sizes on the card for the classic MBPs.

I reused my original adapter board I luckily kept from 2013, and lo and behold, it all works!!

Now that the prototype works, the current plan is to make the adapter more compact and robust without using Apple's proprietary Airport connector.

If there is enough interest in this by members, I plan to launch a Kickstarter or an eBay store.

Photos and screenshots:

I am interested. I just posted this; https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/2012-macbook-pro-wifi-fail-please-help.2175801/
But I'm interested in your project. I would sure like to get my MBP (Model A1278) up and surfing asap so any suggestions for a WiFi card would be greatly appreciated. I could upgrade to your AC unit at a latter date? Keep up the good work! Thanks.

I think the final cost, since it includes the wireless card, is yet to be determined. The best thing to lower cost is to get a group buy so I can buy all the components in bulk. I don't think a Kickstarter is necessary, but maybe if I add a poll that would help determine the interest?

I'm designing it to work in the A1286 and also definitely want to do the 2011-2012 Mac mini. It technically should work on the white MacBooks as well, but I'm not sure if people would want to invest money into those machines?

 

[troop231]

I am working on the flex PCB adapter now that will allow the card to be used in the different MBPs as well as the Mac mini without having to have different adapter boards.

 

[sean barry]

I am working on the flex PCB adapter now that will allow the card to be used in the different MBPs as well as the Mac mini without having to have different adapter boards.

Great, thanks! I could use 2 or 3 of them. I did buy a card for the MBP just to see if that fixes my issue. I have 2 Mini 2011's and a 2012 Mini. Only 1 of the 2011 Mini's have a functioning WiFi card. I look forward to your progress. Thanks again!

 

[troop231]

Is anybody in a rush to get these? I am working on this as much as I can and do not want to sacrifice quality.

 

[flehman]

I'm thrilled to get my hands on one of these whenever they are ready, but definitely would prefer to wait for the quality.

 

[89legendcoupe]

Is anybody in a rush to get these? I am working on this as much as I can and do not want to sacrifice quality.

Quality is always good. I am trying to hold off buying a new computer so hopefully not too long of a wait.

 

[Macbookprodude]

Update: Wake on wifi is confirmed to work as well as rebooting the machine using Screen Sharing, it connected right away.
[doublepost=1551067152][/doublepost]

Glad to have you aboard! That makes two people so far, maybe three.

I have a 2012 Macbook pro. I would be interested in this also.

 

[sean barry]

Is anybody in a rush to get these? I am working on this as much as I can and do not want to sacrifice quality.

No rush here.

 

[highvoltage12v]

Is anybody in a rush to get these? I am working on this as much as I can and do not want to sacrifice quality.

Take your time, we will start to know how desperately we need it by the time WWDC comes.

 

[cast4]

Hey guys,
Awesome work your doing here! Do you think your solution might also work in an Early 2011 17” MacBook Pro (A1297)?

Everymac: https://everymac.com/systems/apple/...-17-early-2011-unibody-thunderbolt-specs.html

If so, I would love to put my name down for one, once they’re ready! But no rush
Keep up the good work!

 

[troop231]

Hey guys,
Awesome work your doing here! Do you think your solution might also work in an Early 2011 17” MacBook Pro (A1297)?

Everymac: https://everymac.com/systems/apple/...-17-early-2011-unibody-thunderbolt-specs.html

If so, I would love to put my name down for one, once they’re ready! But no rush
Keep up the good work!

Unfortunately, the 17" MBP isn't compatible, as the wireless portions are greatly different.

 

[Macbookprodude]

Unfortunately, the 17" MBP isn't compatible, as the wireless portions are greatly different.

What about 15 inch 2011 as I have this also.

 

[troop231]

What about 15 inch 2011 as I have this also.

Of course

 

[race2c]

I would be interested in roughly 4 of the cards/adapters. The wife, in-laws (x2), and myself all have A1278 MBPs.

 

[sean barry]

Quick update and question for people with the 13" A1278 MBPs: Are you willing to sacrifice the subwoofer for this upgrade? It is simply in the way, even with trimming. The wireless card needs to reside in part of the space the subwoofer resides in, otherwise the bottom lid wouldn't be fastened to the chassis in that corner.

The subwoofer doesn't add much to the sound 'quality' anyways being how small it is.

What are everyone's thoughts on this?

Holy cannoli! I did not know 2013 13" had a sub woofer? At any rate I purchased a replacement wifi card, installed it and no change. I did notice some insulation was missing AT least I did not break anything else!

 

[troop231]

I have ordered 20 wireless cards for the initial first batch.

 

[race2c]

@troop231 great! its always nice to be able to update/upgrade a device opposed to going out and spending money on a new MBP.

 

[sean barry]

I have ordered 20 wireless cards for the initial first batch.

You go Bro!

 

[mbosse]

I have ordered 20 wireless cards for the initial first batch.

And for the 15” would be no sawing needed?

 

[troop231]

And for the 15” would be no sawing needed?

It shouldn't. @highvoltage12v will be able to confirm this.

 

[yurc]

I am pleased to announce that 5 years after my post found here (where I threw in the towel early)

Good job, this adding list of another successful AC network adapter upgrade for good old days Macs circa 2009-2012.

Current status :

Mac Pro Early 2009 / Mid 2010 / Mid 2012 = success
iMac Late 2009 / Mid 2011 = success
Mac Mini Mid 2011 / Late 2012 = need support
MacBook Pro 13 and 15 you described above = success

I think if you create adapter of Mac Mini it would complete list above, and make those Mini users happy too.

 

[highvoltage12v]

Good job, this adding list of another successful AC network adapter upgrade for good old days Macs circa 2009-2012.

Current status :

Mac Pro Early 2009 / Mid 2010 / Mid 2012 = success
iMac Late 2009 / Mid 2011 = success
Mac Mini Mid 2011 / Late 2012 = need support
MacBook Pro 13 and 15 you described above = success

I think if you create adapter of Mac Mini it would complete list above, and make those Mini users happy too.

2009-2012 Mac mini uses the same physical connector as the a1278/a1286. It's just the testing and making it fit part. Alot of 2011-2012 Mac mini's are hollow above the hard drive, so it's really just checking to see if the HDD cover antenna is long enough to reach a slightly moved airport card.