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Could you please try using the 802.11ac card from the latest macbook air in a Macbook Pro 15'' Retina?
If it works, i'd like to order an 802.11ac card!
Thank you!
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Thank you Emre - So it appears it functions in the older system, but you don't get much performance benefit per Davids testing.
yes but I believe as it was mentioned it was due to missing antenna socket on mba's 802.11ac card. it is quite possible that when it comes to mbp's it'll probably work/fit a lot better...
Not sure on that, over time Apple has altered the antenna's depending on the AirPort card version used in a given system. So some models won't have the needed antenna's to gain the benefit (as in this case). The next generation of MacBook Pro's will likely get 802.11ac (due this fall). But, what people wanted was to upgrade their current models. Clearly the MBP retina doesn't gain in the upgrade,
Yes you are most likely right about apple will not give an upgrade option officially but we probably will have some ifixit kind of options, which will probably not as good as new ones but still an upgrade... :/ I believe the only problem will be the antennas as you've also mentioned...
For so little gain I don't think it's worth the cost (10% at best per Davids testing).
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Adrian - Review these answers 802.11ac wishers.
The best thing here is to add your comment to the '13 teardown doc so the people at iFixIt see the pent-up want for them to do the needed testing as they have the hardware right now.
As I said before Apple consumes parts at such a rate (as well as contracts for them) new chips and parts like this one will be in short supply for quite awhile. So you'll need to wait until they show up on the open market thats assuming the board will even work in your older system.
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I think it won't be possible... like the Retina Display... you want 802.11ac you'll have to either buy a new laptop OR look for a wireless dongle/external card. At least (AFAIK) the antennas in machines for the past two years (or more) will support the standard.
802.11 ac will do nothing for your internet speed unless your isp offers something like 500mbit/s speeds or you transfer or stream files.
There are three possibilities.
1. The retina has three wires connected to the wireless card (from what I can see). This is good. In the past Apple has been nice remember g to n in the old MacBooks? Apple will make the card!
2. The retina is capable but Apple says no, a third party eventually releases a internal card!
3. The retina is not capable because of the antennas and you need to buy a usb 802.11ac device.
I have a 15 retina and hope that apple made this work for ac. However its really not like my 802.11n with time capsule is slow in anyway. Its really only for file transfers. I have a very fast internet speed compared to most 100mbit/s download. My 802.11n is more than capable to get the most out of the speed I have. So remember unless you transfer a lot of files over a network or have a 1gbit/s internet speed which I doubt, this upgrade will do little to nothing for you in speed increase on the network.
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Good point about the internet connection or in truth any down stream network connection and the limits of the remote host will be the limit of the full link. Also many people forget your internet connections from most ISP's is not balanced (the speed outbound is a lot slower than the inbound) an asymmetric Vs a symmetric connection. So downloading from a well contacts host (ie. Apples' or Microsofts' servers) will be quite fast but if you needed to upload something to them the speed will be very slow. Or, lets say you have remote access to your home system and you need to get a file off your home system it too will be very slow. Depending on what type of connection you have from the hotel you're at you might have no problem downloading all of the vacation pictures.
Theoretically it is possible because the size and interface of the networkcards are the same, but i don't know if the ac card needs extra drivers that only come with the 2013 model. If the 2012 has the drivers it would almost certainly work. But i really think ac isn't necessary and of any use.
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Just because the connection looks the same doesn't mean its the same. There is still the question on the antennas (cable length & their design). Again. its just too soon to know for sure until someone bites the bullet and swaps them out.
Or. . . attempts to.
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14 Comments
Take a look at these answers. 13" MacBook Air and more on MacBook Air 13"
by Dan
I read those thank you but I want to try the Macbook Air's 802.11ac card in a Retina Macbook Pro 15''. Could you please try it?
If it works, I'm sure you would have a lot of people purchasing this upgrade kit. Me being the first!
by tilhas
Sorry to say its going to be quite awhile before anyone is going to even get access to these new boards (I'm sure they are in very short supply as Apple just consumes parts like a vacuum). As to someone testing this out, this is the self help forum of iFixIt not the store its self. Maybe you might want to add a comment note in the teardown presentation of your wish. Thats the best place to ask.
by Dan
I think it won't be possible... like the Retina Display... you want 802.11ac you'll have to either buy a new laptop OR look for a wireless dongle/external card. At least (AFAIK) the antennas in machines for the past two years (or more) will support the standard.
by originalmachead
Good point! The antennas may not work or may limit you depending on which model you are trying to force fit the 802.11ac board into.
by Dan
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