Does anyone know if there is a free usb port on the 15" unibody motherboard? I want to solder a small chip in there.
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Looking for a free USB port
- Thread starter idonotliketostu
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It doesn't look that way. Apple doesn't like to include components that waste space inside their slim and sexy products.
http://www.ifixit.com/Device/MacBook_Pro_15"_Unibody_Mid_2010 via iFixit
http://www.ifixit.com/Device/MacBook_Pro_15"_Unibody_Mid_2010 via iFixit
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If you had the 17" you could use the back of the expresscard slot but on the 15" your stuck.
If you had the 17" you could use the back of the expresscard slot but on the 15" your stuck.
Assuming there are any free ports on the built-in USB hub in the machine (and assuming they're not all disabled for power and/or noise reasons and that there's actually traces in the board connecting to those pins of the IC - probably NOT the case), you'd need a large, powerful magnifying glass, bright light, a really steady hand and a needle sharp soldering iron to connect to it. You'd be liable to wreck your logic board by nudging some tiny surface mounted caps or resistors by mistake or getting solder where it does not belong.
This is a crackpot idea. You should look for a bus-powered mini hub instead if you desperately need additional USB ports when on the move.
This is a crackpot idea. You should look for a bus-powered mini hub instead if you desperately need additional USB ports when on the move.
Here's what I found base on the system profiler usb tree. There's two usb cables inside the cable coming from the LCD. One goes to the bluetooth and one to the iSight camera.
I took fabric off the cable and found the usb cables.
Now all I gotta do some testing on which cable is which. Need to buy a usb hub and splice it in. I have plenty of room since I replace my dvd drive with a hard drive.
Let me know of the smallest usb hub you can find.
Think of the all possibilities! Hidden usb receivers, gps, 3g!
I took fabric off the cable and found the usb cables.
Now all I gotta do some testing on which cable is which. Need to buy a usb hub and splice it in. I have plenty of room since I replace my dvd drive with a hard drive.
Let me know of the smallest usb hub you can find.
Think of the all possibilities! Hidden usb receivers, gps, 3g!
