802.11ac technology for a MacBook Pro.

The AirPort card included with MacBooks Pro doesn't support 802.11ac, so you will have to get a new MacBook in order to have 802.11ac. Now, only the MacBook Air supports this wireless connection

You will need to wait until a new machine with ac is available. It will require different hardware - not somthing that the existing hardware can be updated with via software.

There are 802.11ac USB adapters available for Macs - http://www.provantage.com/asus-usb-ac53~7ASU91YT.htm?source=googleps

Not a perfect solution but maybe it will help you.

You are welcome

Will I be able to purchase an 802.11ac module from an Apple retailer and fit it to an 2010 unibody macbook pro?

Michaelmjw wrote:

Will I be able to purchase an 802.11ac module from an Apple retailer and fit it to an 2010 unibody macbook pro?

No, such a change is not something you can do yourself or after purchase. It is an integrated component of the logic board and not something you can just swap in or out.

Completely incorrect.

The Wifi / Bluetooth is a seperate card from the logic board. There is a very good chance that a 3rd party will make a replacement. It is a Mini-PCIe card with a propritery connector and can be seen here:

The bluetooth/airport card is not a user servicable part. If your going to encourage people to do it, you should perhaps note that it requires a partial tear down of the laptop, and for those under warranty, attempting to do so will void your warranty.

It is also highly unlikely that anyone will actually now or in the future make an upgraded 802.11ac part for a 2010 macbook pro (which the poster I replied to was asking about).

But believe what you will.

Installing hardware, and making it compatible are two different things. General computer users would not, cannot, should not get into reengineering firmware and hardware drivers.

Often in computers, what is possible, is still next to impossible for most to do. 😊

Michael Black wrote:

The bluetooth/airport card is not a user servicable part. If your going to encourage people to do it, you should perhaps note that it requires a partial tear down of the laptop, and for those under warranty, attempting to do so will void your warranty.

It is also highly unlikely that anyone will actually now or in the future make an upgraded 802.11ac part for a 2010 macbook pro (which the poster I replied to was asking about).

But believe what you will.

The wireless card takes about the same skill as the memory. It's not my place to assume that anyone who reads this will not have the skill needed. I was simply correcting a clearly wrong statement that the wireless is part of the main board.

As for being unlikely, maybe you aren't creative enough to think outside the box. Apple doesn't make that card. It's also used in at least 4 other notebooks. It is a proprietary form factor, but it is by no means a one-time use for 2010 only Macbook Pro. I would say there is a VERY good chance that anyone with the knowledge to search for the right things will be able to find a card that could be swapped in and functional with a simple edit to a plist.

I guess I just give more people the benifit of the doubt. I'm sorry to have clearly upset at least two of you.

Thanks for your views. Does anyone have the model no. or picture of the wireless AC card. Perhaps if the form factor is the same I could try to swap out. There are many computer shops who can do it for a small fee. 🙂

Michaelmjw wrote:

Thanks for your views. Does anyone have the model no. or picture of the wireless AC card. Perhaps if the form factor is the same I could try to swap out. There are many computer shops who can do it for a small fee. 🙂

It's still a fairly new standard, I have been watching closely and have not seen any cards with the correct form factor for the macbook pro yet. Though I have successfully upgraded one of my older (2009) iMacs.

I really disappointed with a Level 6 member given such an answer.

You are not answering something technically.

These combo cards are using standard connector, which they can be replaced by cards; the question is does OS x have the drivers for them.

You answer is like: ok your computer have problem, reinstall it will solve the problem.

you can see what ac card in macbook air mid2013 looks like here:

http://www.ifixit.com/Teardown/MacBook+Air+13-Inch+Mid+2013+Teardown/15042/1