Imac 12,2 USB 3.0 via miniPCIe

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Level 1

14 points

Imac 12,2 USB 3.0 via miniPCIe

I've been searching but not yet found anyone who has done it, but could I add USB3.0 via the miniPCIe slot where the wifi card is?

I would assume that USB 3.0 is supported fully by the OS so would any card work? Its on the iMac mid 2011 27

Also it must be asked, is the slot a miniPCIe slot. it was on the 2010 model as people were adding an addition sata connection in this way.

I am aware on the thunderbolt to USB3.0 by sonnet, but was possible looking for a cheaper option. If possible

iMac, Mac OS X (10.6.8)

Posted on Apr 27, 2017 12:54 AM

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Answer 1

Apr 27, 2017 2:54 AM in response to MattJayC

No such card or driver for such a card exists.

MattJayC wrote:

.....

I am aware on the thunderbolt to USB3.0 by sonnet, but was possible looking for a cheaper option. If possible

The fact that the iMac would need to be complete torn down

for such a solution if it existed would likely be more costly than

the Sonnet device and even much more costly if something gets broken

in the process.

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Answer 2

MattJayC Author

Level 1

14 points

Apr 27, 2017 3:09 AM in response to woodmeister50

I've no problem opening it. I did find this card forgetting the logistics as the output will get in the way of everything else in the mac. Nonetheless a USB 3.0 miniPCIe card (albeit sold for windows)

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Answer 3

Apr 28, 2017 3:53 AM in response to MattJayC

The hours spent tearing down, and finding out that the card

won't work due to Apple's proprietary connector (standard

PCIe SSDs don't work) and then trying to find some way to

adapt to it, then putting it all back together only to find out

it still won't work....

Save yourself a lot of headaches just to save a couple bucks

when you can simply do this:

https://www.amazon.com/Kanex-KTU20-Thunderbolt-Gigabit-Ethernet/dp/B00LOLBX5K/re f=sr_1_70?ie=UTF8&qid=1493376645&sr=8-70…

Sure, it has an ethernet port, but so what. It's only $80.

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Answer 4

Rudegar

Level 10

180,696 points

Apr 27, 2017 8:22 AM in response to MattJayC

it would require a device driver for it to work if one is not included in osx or available for download at the manufactor it would just show up as unknown device and of cause not work.

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