802.11n is the bee’s knees, but if you’ve got an older Core Duo MacBook, MacBook Pro, or iMac, you haven’t been able to reap the full benefits of that latest alphabetic advance in wireless networking. Until now.
QuickerTek is now selling upgrade cards for older Macs that brings their wireless capabilities into line with the Core 2 Duo models. The cards work with the 802.11b/g/n standards, so those of you wanting to kick it ‘a’ style are out of luck. Your options are to spend $149 to install it yourself (the kit includes full instructions and tools); or plop down another $50 to have QuickerTek do it for you.
Unfortunately, installing the AirPort card in the MacBook is not nearly as easy as it was in the iBook or PowerBook, since it involves removing the upper case—that’d probably be something most people would want to pay $50 for.
Interestingly, QuickerTek also says:
Since this wireless upgrade uses standard parts, no drivers or other changes need to be made, nor are additional steps required to use the higher speed ‘n’ upgrade.Does that mean you wouldn’t need Apple’s 802.11n Enabler?
[via MacMinute]
I upgraded the Airport Card in my black MacBook CD in about 30-minutes. It's easy, and the part cost $50 (I found mine for $20 on eBay).
If you decide to install it yourself, just print out the take apart instructions and tape each screw to its corresponding location on the print out. This speeds up the process and ensures that you put ever screw back in its proper location.
Indeed, I looked around on eBay. Search "802.11n". there will be several hits. Some of those hits will be an 802.11n card for that box-assembling-rather-DULL-computer-maker. If you compare the model number for the Apple branded one and the other one, they are EXACTLY THE SAME. Look likes an opputunity to save a bundle.