Upgrading Core Duo MacBooks with Apple 802.11n hardware
Owners of Apple's Core Duo Mac notebooks who are bummed over a lack of 802.11n wireless support within their systems may find some consolation in learning that they can overcome the limitation with some determined jury-rigging.
Although the majority of Apple's latest Core 2 Duo-based Macs (and Xeon-based Mac Pro) ship with wireless cards supporting a draft of the emerging wireless standard, the Core Duo models that preceded them did not.
For most users, condemnation of their Macs to the previous-generation 802.11g wireless specification isn't a big deal. That is, unless they're looking to adopt Apple's new AirPort Extreme 802.11n Wireless Base Station with its AirPort Disk feature.
While the new AirPort Extreme is backwards compatible with 802.11g, running it in hybrid 802.11g/802.11n mode immediately degrades performance of the wireless network for g-based devices. So the only logical solution, so say the clever gents over at MacBidouille, is to find a way to upgrade those Core Duo Macs with an 802.11n card. And that is exactly what they did.
In moving its Core Duo MacBook and MacBook Pro to Core 2 Duo models with support for 802.11n, Apple made a significant architectural change in that it shifted the internal wireless modules from a 2-antenna solution to a 3-antenna solution. Immediately that eliminates the possibility of dialing up an Apple repair specialist for an extra Core 2 Duo wireless module for the swap.
On the other hand, MacBidouille discovered that the 802.11n module in the Xeon-based Mac Pro was nearly identical -- in terms of both connectivity and its 2-antenna configuration -- to the modules that shipped with Core Duo MacBooks and MacBook Pros. A quick warranty-voiding disassembly later, the site's editors had swapped their MacBook's wireless card with one from a Mac Pro.
"After restarting the machine, the Airport module was recognized without any problems," the editors wrote in their explanation of the hack. "We put in the CD provided with the Airport [802.11n] base station, and it allowed us to install the new AirPort Utility as well as activate 802.11n without any difficulties."
Original Core Duo MacBook wireless module (left) and Mac Pro module (right)
Following the upgrade, which is also possible on the MacBook Pro, the 802.11n equipped Core Duo MacBook was reportedly able to sustained maximum transfer rates of 8.9 MB/s when interacting with another Mac which had been connected to the AirPort Extreme via Ethernet.
For those Core Duo Mac owners looking to follow suit in performing their own 802.11n surgery, one of the most challenging aspects may be obtaining a wireless module from the Mac Pro. But unlike the modules used in 802.11n MacBooks, which can only be obtained through exchange with Apple, those for the Mac Pro can be ordered through an Apple Authorized Repair Center.
Of course, an ensuing daunting task entails disassembling and then reassembling the MacBook without causing chaos. MacBidouille has posted step-by-step instructions for a 13-inch MacBook. However, users may find additional clarity in disassembly guides for the various MacBook and MacBook Pro models published by the upgrade specialists over at ifixit.
Although the majority of Apple's latest Core 2 Duo-based Macs (and Xeon-based Mac Pro) ship with wireless cards supporting a draft of the emerging wireless standard, the Core Duo models that preceded them did not.
For most users, condemnation of their Macs to the previous-generation 802.11g wireless specification isn't a big deal. That is, unless they're looking to adopt Apple's new AirPort Extreme 802.11n Wireless Base Station with its AirPort Disk feature.
While the new AirPort Extreme is backwards compatible with 802.11g, running it in hybrid 802.11g/802.11n mode immediately degrades performance of the wireless network for g-based devices. So the only logical solution, so say the clever gents over at MacBidouille, is to find a way to upgrade those Core Duo Macs with an 802.11n card. And that is exactly what they did.
In moving its Core Duo MacBook and MacBook Pro to Core 2 Duo models with support for 802.11n, Apple made a significant architectural change in that it shifted the internal wireless modules from a 2-antenna solution to a 3-antenna solution. Immediately that eliminates the possibility of dialing up an Apple repair specialist for an extra Core 2 Duo wireless module for the swap.
On the other hand, MacBidouille discovered that the 802.11n module in the Xeon-based Mac Pro was nearly identical -- in terms of both connectivity and its 2-antenna configuration -- to the modules that shipped with Core Duo MacBooks and MacBook Pros. A quick warranty-voiding disassembly later, the site's editors had swapped their MacBook's wireless card with one from a Mac Pro.
"After restarting the machine, the Airport module was recognized without any problems," the editors wrote in their explanation of the hack. "We put in the CD provided with the Airport [802.11n] base station, and it allowed us to install the new AirPort Utility as well as activate 802.11n without any difficulties."
Original Core Duo MacBook wireless module (left) and Mac Pro module (right)
Following the upgrade, which is also possible on the MacBook Pro, the 802.11n equipped Core Duo MacBook was reportedly able to sustained maximum transfer rates of 8.9 MB/s when interacting with another Mac which had been connected to the AirPort Extreme via Ethernet.
For those Core Duo Mac owners looking to follow suit in performing their own 802.11n surgery, one of the most challenging aspects may be obtaining a wireless module from the Mac Pro. But unlike the modules used in 802.11n MacBooks, which can only be obtained through exchange with Apple, those for the Mac Pro can be ordered through an Apple Authorized Repair Center.
Of course, an ensuing daunting task entails disassembling and then reassembling the MacBook without causing chaos. MacBidouille has posted step-by-step instructions for a 13-inch MacBook. However, users may find additional clarity in disassembly guides for the various MacBook and MacBook Pro models published by the upgrade specialists over at ifixit.
Comments
I definitely plan to do this though--after I get the extreme base station of course.
Also, did you mean Airport Express, or Airport Extreme? It seems like they could get a much better sustained throughput if they used a wireless n device.
Jury-rigging?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jury_rig
Maybe you have only heard "jerry-rigging"
....another Mac which had been connected to the AirPort Express via Ethernet."
I think you mean AirPort Extreme since Express hasn't been updated to 802.11n yet.
I'm concerned with the warranty void. I really like the idea and want the technology, but I would like to retain my warranty. Does anyone think Apple will offer this as an upgrade?
Apple should!
Apple should!
Sign me up!
I'm concerned with the warranty void. I really like the idea and want the technology, but I would like to retain my warranty. Does anyone think Apple will offer this as an upgrade?
Doubt it. Apple doesn't like upgrades. They want you to buy new stuff!
W0000t! The benefits of the PCI-e mini card thingy. Will check back on this later. After my "duct tape mod" on my MacBook Core[1]Duo fan/heatsink, well, we'll see... Still gotta go soon and buy a Cat5e gigabit ethernet crossover cable though. Back later.
<off topic rambling>
Phew. Final-fracking-ly. 60-80 mbit/sec transfer from my MacBook GigabitEthernet Cat5e Crossover to
iBook 100Mbit/sec Ethernet. $6 local currency for da cable. Beats $22 for a FW400 and having to boot in Target Disk mode...
(well, cable is cheaper) Hooray...
Setting up permissions is PITA so I just use Public Drop Box Personal File Sharing thingymajig on target computer.
Owners of Apple's Core Duo Mac notebooks who are bummed over a lack of 802.11n wireless support within their systems may find some consolation in learning that they can overcome the limitation with some determined jury-rigging.
Although the majority of Apple's latest Core 2 Duo-based Macs (and Xeon-based Mac Pro) ship with wireless cards supporting a draft of the emerging wireless standard, the Core Duo models that preceded them did not.
For most users, condemnation of their Macs to the previous-generation 802.11g wireless specification isn't a big deal. That is, unless they're looking to adopt Apple's new AirPort Extreme 802.11n Wireless Base Station with its AirPort Disk feature.
While the new AirPort Extreme is backwards compatible with 802.11g, running it in hybrid 802.11g/802.11n mode immediately degrades performance of the wireless network for g-based devices. So the only logical solution, so say the clever gents over at MacBidouille, is to find a way to upgrade those Core Duo Macs with an 802.11n card. And that is exactly what they did.
In moving its Core Duo MacBook and MacBook Pro to Core 2 Duo models with support for 802.11n, Apple made a significant architectural change in that it shifted the internal wireless modules from a 2-antenna solution to a 3-antenna solution. Immediately that eliminates the possibility of dialing up an Apple repair specialist for an extra Core 2 Duo wireless module for the swap.
On the other hand, MacBidouille discovered that the 802.11n module in the Xeon-based Mac Pro was nearly identical -- in terms of both connectivity and its 2-antenna configuration -- to the modules that shipped with Core Duo MacBooks and MacBook Pros. A quick warranty-voiding disassembly later, the site's editors had swapped their MacBook's wireless card with one from a Mac Pro.
"After restarting the machine, the Airport module was recognized without any problems," the editors wrote in their explanation of the hack. "We put in the CD provided with the Airport [802.11n] base station, and it allowed us to install the new AirPort Utility as well as activate 802.11n without any difficulties."
Original Core Duo MacBook wireless module (left) and Mac Pro module (right)
Following the upgrade, which is also possible on the MacBook Pro, the 802.11n equipped Core Duo MacBook was reportedly able to sustained maximum transfer rates of 8.9 MB/s when interacting with another Mac which had been connected to the AirPort Extreme via Ethernet.
For those Core Duo Mac owners looking to follow suit in performing their own 802.11n surgery, one of the most challenging aspects may be obtaining a wireless module from the Mac Pro. But unlike the modules used in 802.11n MacBooks, which can only be obtained through exchange with Apple, those for the Mac Pro can be ordered through an Apple Authorized Repair Center.
Of course, an ensuing daunting task entails disassembling and then reassembling the MacBook without causing chaos. MacBidouille has posted step-by-step instructions for a 13-inch MacBook. However, users may find additional clarity in disassembly guides for the various MacBook and MacBook Pro models published by the upgrade specialists over at ifixit.
[ View this article at AppleInsider.com ]
OK Cool. Don't be worried. This is a VERY EASY mod. Opening up the MacBook is VERY EASY compared to the iBook. Seriously. Just keep your cool, KEEP TRACK OF SCREWS and you'll be fine.
The only bit is the antenna disconnect and reconnect, be careful there.
Also look to ifixit.com Guide. You want to look at the steps up to "fan removal" (without removing the fan, of course).
Now... let's scour eBay for the MacPro 802.11n card...!! w000t!
Come on! Let's hear the stories from those who have done/tried it. Anyone out there who has?
Yeaaaaa...... We need some info from peoples regarding SPEED when running the Airport Extreme in the "802.11n-only 5ghz double wide channel bonding" mode. 8)
mac pro airport card
Location: WorldwideShow all
eBay:
.... A quick warranty-voiding disassembly later, the site's editors had swapped their MacBook's wireless card with one from a Mac Pro....
You can get away with it if you are able to put everything back in its place before sending your MacBook in for authorized repair under warranty. 8)
<off topic rambling>
Phew. Final-fracking-ly. 60-80 mbit/sec transfer from my MacBook GigabitEthernet Cat5e Crossover to
iBook 100Mbit/sec Ethernet. $6 local currency for da cable. Beats $22 for a FW400 and having to boot in Target Disk mode...
(well, cable is cheaper) Hooray...
Setting up permissions is PITA so I just use Public Drop Box Personal File Sharing thingymajig on target computer.
I haven't used wired ethernet in a while, so do excuse me. 802.11g on average with a standard router, one would be looking at throughput of about 2-20 mbit/sec. On a good day.
On wired ethernet, My tests pulled 60-80 mbit/sec and 200+mbit/sec on 100mbit/sec and Gigabit Ethernet, respectively.
802.11N -- even if at around 100mbit/sec throughput, me wanna wanna wanna ..!!!!!
1) Probably the biggest difficulty was getting hold of the MacPro module - not easy here in the UK
2) Disassembling the MacBook is pretty straightforward. Anyone that has taken apart an iBook in the past will find the MacBook easy.
3) After re-assembling and starting up, the new card was immediately recognised.
4) After applying the latest Airport Updates and the 802.11n Installer (via Pacifist), the details correct in the System profiler but in Network utility, still only showing 802.11n a/b/g
5) In the end I manually deleted the IO80211Family.kext from system/library/extensions and then reapplied the updates and enabler. After this everything was reporting correctly.
So what have I found:
a) Airport coverage range appears to have decreased slightly. Using iStumbler I'm seeing around a 69% signal strength where before I would see 100%. Signal noise is higher too (I think I may check that I managed to get the antenna cables on correctly)
b) Speed - on transferring files I see bursts of faster transfer (even to non N devices) but I thinks the problems detailed in a) above are negating the benefits
Potential Problems:
i) Will Apple Software Updates for this card automatically show up and install? Will Apple base the updates on machine or hardware installed
ii) My machines warranty is well and truly void!
iii Is it worth the effort - I think I will only be able to say this once I get the new Airport Extreme N
Good luck. M.
Phew. Final-fracking-ly. 60-80 mbit/sec transfer from my MacBook GigabitEthernet Cat5e Crossover to iBook 100Mbit/sec Ethernet. $6 local currency for da cable.
You know you don't need crossover Ethernet cables any more? Since about 2002?
All new Gigabit and also a lot of the 10/100 network cards automatically switch to crossover whenever needed...
http://www.xlr8yourmac.com/archives/...07.html#S22380
http://www.xlr8yourmac.com/archives/...07.html#S22381