MacBook Pro 15" Mid 2010 Airport card upgrade to early 2011 card?

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MacBook Pro 15" Unibody Mid 2010

Released April 2010 / 2.4, 2.53 GHz Core i5 or 2.66 GHz Core i7 Processors

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Chris @oldbluegmc50

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Posted: Sep 10, 2011

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MacBook Pro 15" Mid 2010 Airport card upgrade to early 2011 card?

I have a Macbook Pro 15" Unibody Mid 2010 that was dropped. I have replaced most of the parts, but I can't find an antenna for the airport card.

I have found an antenna for an Early 2011 Macbook Pro 15". In the teardown guides, all of the wireless parts look like they could be swapped out.

Does anyone know if it is possible to upgrade my Mid-2010 airport system to the newer Early-2011 airport system?

Thanks,

Chris

I found an antenna on eBay. I did not choose to upgrade the card or antennas.

Answered! View the answer I have this problem too

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Did it work?

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Jul 4, 2014 by asd

Also interested in knowing if this worked. I want to get Bluetooth 4.0 on my 2010 MBP as well.

Jul 24, 2014 by Donovan Yeni

You can. Just installed a BT LE card on mine. However it requires a few modifications. 1: cut out new holes for the plastic container or order the 2013 part. 2: connect the wifi plug to J0 and J1 (there is no cable for J3) 3: the cable that goes to the MB is a bit to long. (no fix really)

Sep 29, 2014 by havarderlandsen

Any pictures or a walkthrough on that. I think a lot of people will want to upgrade to 4.0 to get continuity in OSX Yosemite.

Oct 5, 2014 by Keith Richard

continuity still not available.. Looks like a new machine is the only option if you want the new feature. This is so Apple

Oct 5, 2014 by havarderlandsen

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Gabe @gabe

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Posted: Sep 10, 2011

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It seems like the MacBook Pro 15" and 17" Unibody (Mid 2010) Airport/Bluetooth Board is different from the 2011 model. The connection looks like its the same but the placement is different which could cause the cable to be too short or too long.

Maybe it's worth a try? It won't be a snug fit though.

Product

MacBook Pro 15" and 17" Unibody (Mid 2010) Airport/Bluetooth Board

$29.99

Product

MacBook Pro Unibody (Early 2011-Mid 2012) AirPort/Bluetooth Board

$42.99

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I have a Mid 2010 15" and am changing the logic board to a Late 2011. My BT/Wifi board is working fine. And the cable to the logic board seems to fit fine. I just wonder if I really will just work or if I have to have a 2011 BT/Wifi board. Any experience?

Aug 24, 2016 by asle

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Also interested in knowing if this worked. I want to get Bluetooth 4.0 on my 2010 MBP as well. — Donovan Yeni
You can. Just installed a BT LE card on mine. However it requires a few modifications. 1: cut out new holes for the plastic container or order the 2013 part. 2: connect the wifi plug to J0 and J1 (there is no cable for J3) 3: the cable that goes to the MB is a bit to long. (no fix really) — havarderlandsen
Any pictures or a walkthrough on that. I think a lot of people will want to upgrade to 4.0 to get continuity in OSX Yosemite. — Keith Richard
continuity still not available.. Looks like a new machine is the only option if you want the new feature. This is so Apple — havarderlandsen
I have a Mid 2010 15" and am changing the logic board to a Late 2011. My BT/Wifi board is working fine. And the cable to the logic board seems to fit fine. I just wonder if I really will just work or if I have to have a 2011 BT/Wifi board. Any experience? — asle