QuickerTek Takes "Modern" MacBooks and iMacs to the (802.11)Nth Degree

Okay it looks like it's time for me to eat some crow. Back in the Valentine's Day Ask TUAW, somebody asked if it would be possible to upgrade the 802.11g wireless card in iMacs and MacBooks to be compatible with the new 802.11n wireless standard that Apple just recently released and I said probably not. Well it turns out I was wrong, though I should get partial credit because I did actually mention QuickerTek in my response. Today QuickerTek announced the availability of a wireless N card that fits in the Airport card slot of "modern MacBooks and MacBook Pros" as well as "modern iMacs." They say: "Since this wireless upgrade uses standard parts, no drivers or other changes need to be made, nor are additional steps required to use the higher speed 'n' upgrade."

I just called QuickerTek and they confirmed that this upgrade only requires removing the old card from your Core Duo MacBook (Pro) or iMac, connecting the antennas, and running Apple's enabler upgrade software (which, as we mentioned before, will run you $2).

QuickerTek offers the bare card for customer installation at $149 or they'll put it in for you for $199 if you send them your Mac.

[Via MacMinute]

Update: We previously mentioned doing this yourself with a Mac Pro upgrade kit (which is substantially cheaper), though be warned that Apple claims this will violate your warranty.

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Source: http://www.quickertek.com/80211N_upgrade.php

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Wireless Hacks Airport iMac Macbook Pro MacBook

Okay it looks like it's time for me to eat some crow. Back in the Valentine's Day Ask TUAW, somebody asked if it would be possible to...

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Galley

If Apple wanted to sell more Airport Extremes and Apple TVs they'd offer an upgrade for $99.

March 06 2007 at 9:09 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Yellow Corvette

There are better ways to spend your money than buying overpriced gear at QuickerTek. When I pointed this out to Rick Estes at QuickerTek Sales, he was downright rude. Not the way to treat a potential customer.

March 06 2007 at 2:56 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Michael Rose

Note, we discussed the DIY option here:

http://www.tuaw.com/2007/02/20/hack-your-core-duo-macbook-pro-to-802-11n/

March 06 2007 at 12:18 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Joseph

http://www.lacomputercompany.com/cgi-bin/rpcart/index.cgi?command=dispitem&type=sku&sku=24364

March 05 2007 at 10:47 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Joseph

what a scam!

March 05 2007 at 10:38 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Chris

I'm glad that are much more reasonable DIY kits out there.

For the non-tech people, for $200 + S/H one should just sell my machine and get a new Core 2 Duo based machine instead.

March 05 2007 at 4:22 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Quadrant

Does anyone in the UK know where you can get this Airport card from? And also the little plastic card that you need to open up an Intel iMac properly? Cheers in advance fellow TUAW-ers!

March 05 2007 at 4:11 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Mike Eggleston

Does anyone know if this would work with an iMac G5, or is this an Intel-Only thing?

March 05 2007 at 4:08 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Padriac

Out of curiosity, how does apple know that you've voided your warranty?

For example, if I end up having a problem with my iMac after I install the N-card, can't I simply reinstall the G-card before I take it in to Apple?

March 05 2007 at 3:55 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

schlomo

RE: warranty
AFAIK, there are no seals on Apple computers and no warranty-breaking. the idea is sort of the same as a car warranty - if you break something while you're doing work on it, they won't cover it. it's pretty hard to do anything accidental to a computer (other than the occasional static shock) while open that a tech wouldn't notice just by eyeing it.
this advice is YMMV though - but I have two friends who have upgraded their MacBook (Pro) hard drives and have still had warranty repairs done at a later date. the caveat, albeit obvious, is that the part(s) YOU install will not be covered at all.

March 05 2007 at 3:53 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply