Hack your Core Duo MacBook to 802.11n
Got to hand it to the MacBidouille/HardMac crew, they are not easily discouraged. Rather than accept the perpetual second-class status of the Core Duo MacBook Is this the sort of surgery you'll want to be performing for yourself? Well, even allowing that you can get your hands on the repair/replacement part for the Mac Pro, it's worth noting that the MacBook disassembly process involves 25 screws of varying lengths and sizes: not for the faint of screwdriver.
Thanks to those who sent this one in.
[via Digg/MacBidouille]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Christopher L. Williams said 9:09AM on 2-20-2007
I'm wondering if Apple will ever sell these cards so that I could simply go to the Apple Store, buy an upgrade, and have it installed. I have no idea what might stop them from doing it, and it would help to sell AEs I would think.
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Mike Cosentino said 9:18AM on 2-20-2007
Using pbfixit.com guide I swapped out the harddrive on a 15" PowerBook. I did it slowly, but if you follow their guide it's not very difficult.
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mungler said 9:29AM on 2-20-2007
the linked article is talking about a MacBook, not a MacBook Pro.
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mr bob said 12:12PM on 2-20-2007
If you look at the last page of the write up you will see they state it is possible to do it on a MacBook Pro Core Duo.
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This "bidouille" is also possible on a MacBook Pro Core Duo which has an identical module with two antennas. You can read our article on swapping the hard drives to have the instructions for disassembly.
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Thecompkid said 2:22PM on 2-20-2007
Yeah, that's a macbook.
Did they actually test the 802.11n capability? You need multiple antennas to actually use 802.11n. AFAIK, the macbooks card could technically be upgraded to 802.11n, but it would suck badly b/c the mb only has 1 antenna and cant use mimo.
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Patrick McCarron said 10:24AM on 2-20-2007
#3 - That is correct, but it will work in a MacBook Pro as well.
Seeing that I just bought AppleCare for my CD MBP, I doubt I'll do this. Not sure if it's worth it at this point, since I can't do an N network yet because most of my other devices are still G.
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drphred said 11:26AM on 2-20-2007
No service part needed. The Mac Pro Airport card is a finished goods part. Just ask for part MA688Z/a at your friendly neighborhood Apple dealer. Only $49.00
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companyman said 11:46AM on 2-20-2007
Enough already with the strikethrough of words! It's not clever and EVERYONE is doing this. Please try to make your points without the use of this tired device.
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jason said 11:23AM on 2-20-2007
does doing this procedure on my macbook void the applecare warranty?
-Jason
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Chris said 11:41AM on 2-20-2007
So, anyone have a part number and a MacPro serial number they want to sacrifice? I called Apple twice:
1st time) They told me I can buy the card off the Apple website, and do a search for "Airport Extreme Card." I did this, but found the card only for the Airport card slot. Dead end.
2nd time) They told me they need a serial number before they can order a repair/DIY part for me. Dead end.
Chris
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Peter Payne said 11:35AM on 2-20-2007
Cool, give us more information please!
I've got an C2D iMac sitting around that would just love to go under the knife. Can anyone give more information about this, specifically if a Macbook Pro will take an N card from an iMac?
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Michael Rose said 11:36AM on 2-20-2007
#5 -- uh... yeah, it does.
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Chris said 11:41AM on 2-20-2007
Sorry drphred, I think you're going to have a hard time trying to cram this/a into a MacBook!
Could someone post the proper part number, and the method for wrangling one from Apple Service without needing a serial number for a MacPro?
Thanks,
Chris
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Mr Bob said 12:14PM on 2-20-2007
Wow, my comment took a long time to show up. It should have been in the #4 spot.
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Mikey said 12:23PM on 2-20-2007
@ drphred
I would double check your specs. One website I googled claimed this is an 802.11g card. You're going to make a lot of buyers unhappy.
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Ryan said 12:38PM on 2-20-2007
You can order it here...
http://www.lacomputercompany.com/cgi-bin/rpcart/index.cgi?command=dispitem&type=sku&sku=24364
Or you can simply call an authorized apple repair store to order it.
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Kyle Brown said 12:59PM on 2-20-2007
I went to my local Apple dealer the day that the wireless-n enabler was realeased to try to get this done to my macbook core duo.
The guys there didn't really know if it was possible, but now I'll be making another trip this afternoon to show them this!
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Adrian said 1:06PM on 2-20-2007
Is it the same wi-fi card for the iMac?
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drphred said 1:09PM on 2-20-2007
Yes, it WAS a G card, but the N enabler makes the N work. Just like AN±Y mac pro.
I did this upgrade with the MA688Z card this morning and it works. I am getting N speeds and my MacBook Pro (non core 2) reports that it is a a/b/g/n card.
The upgrade was easy and painless and it works great.
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Ryan said 1:59PM on 2-20-2007
I just ordered mine locally, ships in 2 days.
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