Building a new Mac with Bluetooth LE support

[binloan]

Hi everyone,

I'm looking to build a new mac mini. I want it for some smart home applications and thus need one with WiFi and Bluetooth Low Energy support. Sadly I don't know if Bluetooth support is even possible. If yes, which MB would do it?

Thanks already for your support.

 

[trs96]

Have a look at the Gmyle BT dongle. No motherboards in the Buyer's Guide come with BT onboard.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B007MKMJGO/?tag=tonymacx86com-20

If you want more BT range than what that provides get a Wifi/BT combo card and use a PCI-e adapter.

There are guides for compatible wifi options on this site and wifi adapter's that work in the Buyer's Guide.

 

[binloan]

Have a look at the Gmyle BT dongle. No motherboards in the Buyer's Guide come with BT onboard.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B007MKMJGO/?tag=tonymacx86com-20

If you want more BT range than what that provides get a Wifi/BT combo card and use a PCI-e adapter.

There are guides for compatible wifi options on this site and wifi adapter's that work in the Buyer's Guide.

Thank you. So your advice is to not buy a MB with wifi onboard, but to use adaptors to extend the functionality?

 

[trs96]

Thank you. So your advice is to not buy a MB with wifi onboard, but to use adaptors to extend the functionality?

Most of the mini-itx boards do have wifi onboard. They are often Intel wifi cards which are not compatible with macOS. What you can do is swap that out and use that M.2 slot to install a compatible Wifi/BT card if you want a combo card that is compatible. The other option is to use a Wifi only card and then use the BT dongle in a USB 2 port. I don't know what kind of BT range you will need but that should be factored into your decision.