Can I update my macbook pro early 2011 to use bluetooth 4.0

A general observation on this thread.......

The incremental performance improvement that might be gained by the what are, IMHO, arcane approaches to "make it 4.0 USB" are not worth potential damage to a perfectly fine computer. Just because something is possible is not a good reason to do something.

I am posting this to warn people who might read this thread to beware of doing what is "possible." I am not criticizing others who have decided to make changes to their own computers.

Barry

I understand your efforts protecting the interest especially of the general community of those just passing by, and those who might not understand the risk they're taking. And for the readers with AppleCare, this does obviously void your warranty.

However, it is great information to those who would love to fully be able to use the new features of the updated OS, without spending thousands of dollars on a new computer for it. Not only do you enable said feature(s), but you have a better experience with newer generation and existing Bluetooth devices (better range, which while marginal, does make a difference!). For those who are willing to take the risk, it is not an expensive, difficult or extremely risky task, especially with great guides existing out there (iFixit) for doing it.

I'm not recommending this for everybody, nor am I saying it's 100% going to work (beta is beta). But for $20 and being able to flip a switch you couldn't flip on otherwise (on a perfectly un-outdated laptop), it is arguably too prudent not to consider the slight hardware upgrade. 🙂

I understand your efforts protecting the interest especially of the general community of those just passing by, and those who might not understand the risk they're taking. And for the readers with AppleCare, this does obviously void your warranty.

You made my point very well. That is exactly what I was doing when I made my comment. Most of the people who frequent these forums are NOT qualified to open covers or make changes to hardware. 😀

Barry

To me, you can't do anything, 2011 has 2 separated boards for wifi and bluetooth, 2012 and 2013 are using only one board.

Look at this : https://fr.ifixit.com/Guide/iMac+Intel+27-Inch+EMC+2429+Bluetooth+Board+Replacem ent/7553.

You guys are definitely right. It can be dangerous to do this if you don't know what you are doing and a lot of people on here probably don't know how to do this. As far as the AppleCare warranty goes, mine expires in August so that's not a big deal for me. Also, Apple isn't too strict on the policy of opening your computer and voiding your warranty. I upgraded my default 4GB of RAM to 16GB back in fall 2012, about 15 months after I bought it. I had to replace the battery in summer of 2013 because of a defect and they didn't have any issues with the fact that I had changed stuff.

As far as changing out computer parts goes, this is actually one of the easiest swaps to do. RAM is the easiest in the non-retina MBP, then hard drive, then bluetooth I think. And iFixit gives a great guide for this particular process. And we aren't changing the USB. All we are doing is swapping out the bluetooth/airport card for a newer one. I would hope that anyone planning to do this process would be smart enough to research how to do it and what tools they should have for it.

Lem3ssie wrote:

To me, you can't do anything, 2011 has 2 separated boards for wifi and bluetooth, 2012 and 2013 are using only one board.

Look at this : https://fr.ifixit.com/Guide/iMac+Intel+27-Inch+EMC+2429+Bluetooth+Board+Replacem ent/7553.

Thank you - Im not taking chance ~ besides I’m satisfy with its performance as far as range and connectivity using bluetooth stereo headphones ~ but definitely will experiment for my MBP since it is easier to replace 🙂 thanks a bunch you guys Rock!

Nice!

I think it also will work for me then. I have a Macbook Pro Mid 2009.

OS-Store says that the module is compatible with A1278. If I google on 'A1278' I will get my macbook 2009.

So I also ordered it and will let you know when I tested it.

I think I can use all the features of Yosemite then with an 5 years old macbook! Would be awesome!

I don't think it will work as you can see on iFixit that the 2009 model has a completely different bluetooth assembly.

In my opinion, this upgrade is only possible for the 2011 models as only these models feature the same basic module and the only difference seems to be the bluetooth chip. (2012: 4 antennas, 2011: 4 antennas, 2010: 3 antennas).

Damit. My replacement attempt failed badly.

The last screw holding the BT Module is fixated with that much Loctite that my screwdriver (the expensive one...) simply destroyed the screw head. 😟

Any suggestions how to get the screw out?

Not yet. I won't have an iOS 8 device at hand until Monday/Tuesday.

As long as System Profiler states, that the feature is supported, I'm assuming that it will work. Not working may also be a beta issue. I let you know as soon as I'm able to test it.

I'm not 100% sure those features are BT only, i think ( meaning i've read a bit about it ) wifi is on the loop for it to work. So older mac ( 2011 ) might also need a wifi upgrade. Only time will tell.

In my opinion, this upgrade is only possible for the Early and Late 2011 models (15" and probably 13") as only these have the same Airport assembly as the Mid 2012 devices.

The previous models had different assemblies, e.g. the Mid 2010 (15") one had different screw holes and only three instead of four antenna connector. (Just take a look at ifixit.com).

Thanks for you post. I have seen your post mentioned on other forums. It is a great post, but I think some are mislead by your photo of the card...

It shows BCM94331PCIEBT4AX on the card, which I can see by reading throughly that it must be the old card...

Do you happen to know the number on the FRONT of the new card... (My old one is 607-7191, and BCM94331PCIEBT4AX on back.) I followed the link in your post and search for the part number in the picture, and bought the card... It turned out to be the same as original. I don't know if your seller just used the wrong pic or what....

I think it may help others if you post the part number on the front of the card. I just ordered another one that reads 607-8959 on the front...and BCM94331PCIEBT4CAX on the back.

I ordered from: http://www.ebay.com/itm/13-MacBook-Pro-A1278-A1286-A1297-WiFi-AirPort-Bluetooth- Card-BCM94331PCIEBT4CAX-/200910020950?pt=US_Internal_Network_Cards&hash=item2ec7 2ba156

Those pictures that sellers use at there website can be different than the one you actually get.

The picture I used in my post is, like you mentioned, the old card. It says 607-7292 on the front and on the back BCM94331PCIEBT4AX.

The new card says BCM94331PCIEBT4CAX on the back. Tomorrow I will open my Macbook again to see what part number the new card says on the front.

You can find AirDrop support status under System Report > Network > Wi-Fi

I'm still trying to find where is Continuity Support, therefore there is option in System Preference > General > to turn on Handoff