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ghporter · Dec 7, 2009, 05:53 PM

I've been keeping an eye on USB N WiFi dongles because I'm planning to upgrade my home network to an AirPort Extreme. I stumbled across a vendor that has Apple's MA688Z/B, originally brought out with the first Core 2 Duo MBPs and N-capable Mac Pros. The price is not much more than dual-band N dongles cost, too. Since I'm about to crack the case on my MBP to install a new hard drive, I'm thinking very hard about ordering this part and just doing both upgrades at the same time.

Is there anything better to give my MBP N WiFi? Anything that this card won't do that I need to know about?

Simon · Dec 8, 2009, 02:45 PM

IIRC your MBP won't have three antennas although the card has three inputs. You can (again IIRC) still get the card to work in n mode but you won't be getting the best performance as n works best with three antennas. But in the end it might still be more convenient because it's internal and the dingle is... well, a dongle.

ghporter · Dec 8, 2009, 05:28 PM

My wife pointed out the "dongle hanging off the computer" angle when I posed this question to her. I don't think a dongle would have antennas that were so much better that the antenna issue would be a deal breaker. As far as I can tell, the card is dual band, and handles WPA2, so I guess I'm just looking for some sort of "gotcha" lurking in the background.

ghporter · Dec 9, 2009, 07:03 PM

I ordered the card last night and I expect it here by Monday or Tuesday (cheap shipping via USPS first class mail). As it turns out, this weekend isn't going to be available for me to put the new stuff in anyway, so it's all working out OK for me. I'll definitely post on how this thing works, at least on my current G network, and of course how easy/moderate/hard/OMG the job was.

amazing · Dec 10, 2009, 10:34 AM

small tip: print out 2 sets of the ifixit.com instructions and use one set to tape all the screws to as they come out. much less confusing as you do the reassembly.

PS did you end up getting a larger HD to slip in at the same time?

ghporter · Dec 10, 2009, 08:40 PM

Originally Posted by amazing

small tip: print out 2 sets of the ifixit.com instructions and use one set to tape all the screws to as they come out. much less confusing as you do the reassembly.

That's a great tip. I had thought to lay out graph paper with numbers, but the iFixit instructions are so clear that your idea would make more sense.

Originally Posted by amazing

PS did you end up getting a larger HD to slip in at the same time?

Yep, the 500GB drive we discussed in the other thread-a Seagate 7200RPM model. It's amazingly small and light, and I'm looking forward to putting it all in.

Simon · Dec 11, 2009, 01:46 AM

I'm sure you're gonna really like that drive, Glenn. Keep us posted on how the upgrade works out for you.

ghporter · Dec 15, 2009, 08:28 PM

All the parts are in, and I'll probably have time this weekend. Should I clone the current drive onto the new one (it has a Boot Camp created Windows partition on it), or is it better to load the OS clean and then just migrate everything?

Simon · Dec 16, 2009, 01:15 AM

I'd say go ahead and clone with Disk Utility (remember to check the 'erase destination' box). It's the fastest method. If you're not happy with the result, you can always go back and do it the slower way with clean install and MA.

AKcrab · Dec 16, 2009, 01:20 AM

Pretty sure you'll be needing winclone to get the Boot Camp partition, but I could be wrong. I've never tried using DU to do that.

Simon · Dec 16, 2009, 01:23 AM

Yeah, quite possible. I was thinking about using DU for the Mac partition only.

ghporter · Dec 16, 2009, 06:35 AM

I'm thinking that I'll skip migrating the Windows partition and just create a new one after the big hardware swap. I think it'll be simpler.

I assume DU will still produce a bootable disk if the destination is connected via USB-is this correct? I have all the tools I'll need to do the hadrware swap now, and I have a SATA USB adapter to clone the OS X partition, so I think I'm set.

Simon · Dec 16, 2009, 07:47 AM

Originally Posted by ghporter

I assume DU will still produce a bootable disk if the destination is connected via USB-is this correct? I have all the tools I'll need to do the hadrware swap now, and I have a SATA USB adapter to clone the OS X partition, so I think I'm set.

Glenn, the connection isn't relevant. Note also that all Intel Macs can boot from devices connected to USB.

In order to make sure your clone remains bootable all you need to do is check the 'erase destination' box. If you want to be extra cautious you could clone your old disk while booted form another volume, for example the install DVD. This is not a requirement though. I have cloned several boot partitions w/o a hitch.

ghporter · Dec 16, 2009, 05:35 PM

Cool. Thanks for the advice, Simon. I should have time this weekend (maybe even Thursday afternoon if things work out) to have at it. I'm already setting up what pictures to take. I'll probably just start a new thread for the upgrade commentary.

Simon · Dec 17, 2009, 02:35 AM

Sounds great, Glenn. Keep us posted.