MacBook Pro 2011 17" ExpressCard - will it work eventually?

[Tim0]

I am considering MBP 2011 17" purchase and would like a USB 3.0 connectivity via ExpressCard slot - however, it appears that ExpressCard support has been rather limited in Mavericks and Yosemite. Just wondering if anything changed with later releases. Also, there is a seller on eBay who offers "2 Port USB 3.0 ExpressCard 34 Adapter *MacBook Pro 15"/17" *OSX Native Supported" for $34.98 (vs $7-$10 for generic adapters):

Compatible with Apple intel MacBook Pro 15"/17", MacBook Pro unibody 15"/17" that with ExpressCard/34 slot
*Native OSX supported From Mountain Lion 10.8.5 or Higher,
NO extra software driver needed
Plug & play !!
Compatible OSX : *Lion 10.7.5 to Yosemite 10.10.5& El Capitan 10.11 Compatible !!
*OSX Lion 10.7.5 require software driver (please enquiry us after purchase)

Would you say this is for real? Did anyone try this?

 

[Fl0r!an]

Yes, it's all about the chipset in the ExpressCards. There are quite a lot different, and most of them will need 3rd party drivers which tend to get killed by major Apple updates.

The only native chipsets (beside Intels integrated) are from Fresco. Apple has used them in some Mac themselves, so they work OOB. The ExpressCard you mentioned seems to use one of them, thus it has native support.

 

[Samuelsan2001]

I am considering MBP 2011 17" purchase and would like a USB 3.0 connectivity via ExpressCard slot - however, it appears that ExpressCard support has been rather limited in Mavericks and Yosemite. Just wondering if anything changed with later releases. Also, there is a seller on eBay who offers "2 Port USB 3.0 ExpressCard 34 Adapter *MacBook Pro 15"/17" *OSX Native Supported" for $34.98 (vs $7-$10 for generic adapters):



Would you say this is for real? Did anyone try this?

That is an incredibly bad buy those machines have a very well known graphics card issue that is covered by apple until feb next year, if it dies after that (and it will) then that's it dead macbook.