Put 2014 Mac mini Wireless AC card in 2012 Mac mini?

[WilliamG]

What do you reckon our chances of this working are? If the part become available, I'd be tempted...

 

[YanniDepp]

Not great. The 2014 model uses the metal base plate as the wifi antenna. You know, that metal plate attached by 3 Torx mini security screws, that's designed to stop you getting into your own Mac? The metal plate that the 2012 model didn't have?

 

[CausticPuppy]

Not great. The 2014 model uses the metal base plate as the wifi antenna. You know, that metal plate attached by 3 Torx mini security screws, that's designed to stop you getting into your own Mac? The metal plate that the 2012 model didn't have?

The antenna looks the same on both models (the round black thing attached to the plate... 2012 model also had a plate)

https://www.ifixit.com/Teardown/Mac+Mini+Late+2014+Teardown/30410

https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/Mac+Mini+Late+2012+Antenna+Plate+Replacement/11710


The bigger problem is that the 2014 model uses a PCIe connector for the WiFi card, while the 2012 model uses a cable. You'd be better off just using a USB 3.0 wifi adapter that supports 802.11ac.

 

[Cave Man]

I have AC wifi on my 2006 C2D Mac Mini using this Edimax adapter.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...sp=&AID=10446076&PID=3160356&SID=h2e8asanwc56