802.11n Airport card for 2010 MacBook Pro
Hi, I am in Japan and am using an Airport Base Station (802.11n 5 ghz) from the U.S. My new bought-in-Japan Macbook Prow won't connect to the 5 ghz network, so I wanted to buy the chip only and upgrade it, which I've done before. My question is, how do I find the right part to buy. I see this one (MacBook (Early/Mid 2009) 802.11n Airport Extreme Card), the 2009 Macbook Pro Airport/Bluetooth part, but is it the same for the 2010 Macbook Pros? Please advise and I'll make the purchase.
Update (11/07/2010)
Okay, I swapped out the DVD-ROM drive for one of those MCE Optibay sleds that holds a hard drive, and looked around both computers. The new machine is a 2010 2.8 ghz, just purchased, and the old machine is a mid-2009 Macbook Pro, the first generation that has the un-removable battery. I looked at your online guide and did see one for the mid-2009 MBP (at MacBook Pro 15" Unibody 2.53 GHz Mid 2009 Bluetooth Board Replacement) but it says "anti-glare option" as if this is a totally different machine than the normal computer?
Anyway, if you will look at my computer (pic here http://twitpic.com/375kch/full) you'll see that it's quite different, there is no airport card in the upper left hand corner of the machine, above the DVD drive.
My question is, exact part do I need to buy to replace the 2010 Airport/BT module since mine is a JP one that isn't connecting to my networks properly? Please tell me and you'll have a sale ^^
Update (11/07/2010)
Oh, it connects fine, just only to the secondary 802.11g network I already run. Trying to get it to connect to the 5 ghz network so I can get better speed when I need to grab a 1 gb file from work (located about 100m away, so I can run one wireless network for home and office). Although Apple currently supports 5 ghz in Japan but there seem to be slight differences (they support an extra channel other countries don't, or something).
So anyway, using your tool it seems the airport card might be the same for the 2009 MBP I own and the new 2010 one? If so I will try the swap (which I've done before) and see if it solves the issue.
(Usually I buy my computers in the U.S. to keep this from happening, but I forgot this time)
Update (11/07/2010)
A little more information. There seems to be differences in what channels the 802.11n 5 ghz channels will connect to. When I buy Mac in Japan there's a 50% change they will refuse to connect with my US-bought base stations. Some are fine, others will only connect to 2.4 ghz. I think it's the channels, i.e. what channels are approved for use in Japan vs. the US. This is why I want to buy the Airport card for the 2010 Macbook Pro (15 inch), I've done it several times before actually.
Questa è una buona domanda?
2 Commenti
Ah, got it, thanks. I used the Mac ID system, but it told me I had a 2009 Unibody Macbook Pro, I think because your database wasn't updated to reflect the 2.8 ghz option that was just released. Choosing 2.66 I was able to bring up the right page, 2010 Unibody 15 inch, which was this page
http://www.ifixit.com/Mac-Parts/MBP-Unib...
Which seems to be what I need. Any idea when the wireless card part is likely to come in stock?
da Peter Payne
Wow, I totally missed that Apple quietly updated the 15" and 17" MacBook Pros with a 2.8 GHz option. Totally my fault why our ID system is out of date. It will be updated shortly.
As for the card returning to stock, I personally am unsure but will refer those more informed on product availability to this thread.
Sorry about that!
da Ben Eisenman