Could This Be The Next WLAN+Bluetooth Combo Card For 2013 MacBooks?

[beelzebozo]

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TheLostSwede recently spotted what could possibly be Apple's next option for WLAN+Bluetooth connectivity. The images below show a Broadcom BCM94360CD PCI-E mini custom combo WLAN+Bluetooth card. More importantly, it looks like it supports IEEE 802.11ac; the next standard in wireless computer networking as well as a NGFF standard which is meant to improve area and Z-height, Layout, Interface support, and Flexibility. These standards help to reduce cost and design complexity.

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A new Haswell-based MacBook Air(s) or Pro is rumored to be unveiled at WWDC next month and could possibly have a version of this, if not this exact card as part of its specs.

Source:
http://chinese.vr-zone.com/54672/intel-wilkins-peak-2-wireless-card-appear-in-ncc-03072013/
http://twimages.vr-zone.net/2013/03/螢幕快照-2013-03-07-上午10.22.29-665x424.png
http://twimages.vr-zone.net/2013/03/螢幕快照-2013-03-07-上午10.22.35-665x418.png

Related:
http://wikidevi.com/wiki/Broadcom_BCM94360CD
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IEEE_802.11ac

 

[dr_modean]

That looks exactly like the wi-fi card in the new Late 2012/ Early 2013 iMacs. The current ones are the same shape, size and number of antenna connectors.

 

[cavendishqi]

The images for the wifi card in iMac Intel 21.5" EMC 2544 on iFixit
http://www.ifixit.com/Teardown/iMac+Intel+21.5-Inch+EMC+2544+Teardown/11936/3

http://d3nevzfk7ii3be.cloudfront.net/igi/y5jrOrHLjbUmuRgI.large
http://d3nevzfk7ii3be.cloudfront.net/igi/dMrHlEOyt4poekQu.large

BCM94311CD

 

[Chocoholic]

I wonder if the new drivers for this would be backward compatible with current-generation 802.11n card found in most laptops selling today. (like the BCM4313 in lenovos and HPs, 43142 in dell inspirons).

The hackintosh is in some serious need for better support of wlan cards. And porting linux drivers would be a nightmare.

 

[fadedsoulz]

So the new SSD and WLAN/Bluetooth cards were using NGFF all this time. This means it wasn't as proprietary as we thought it was. Is there any idea on adapters to convert NGFF cards to PCI Express or motherboards that will ship with an NGFF slot. It appears ASUS seems to be launching something with NGFF support with MPCIE Combo II. If this was true, one could easily plug in one of the original Apple cards.

 

[beelzebozo]

So the new SSD and WLAN/Bluetooth cards were using NGFF all this time. This means it wasn't as proprietary as we thought it was. Is there any idea on adapters to convert NGFF cards to PCI Express or motherboards that will ship with an NGFF slot. It appears ASUS seems to be launching something with NGFF support with MPCIE Combo II. If this was true, one could easily plug in one of the original Apple cards.

ASUS has this already http://www.amazon.com/dp/B009YCGHB6/

 

[netsullivc]

Once this and / or their current version becomes available as a plug in card, with a 4 aerial adapter we have an elegant wireless / bluetooth adapter solution which is virtual guaranteed to work - the aftermarket version would basically be apple hardware so no problem.

 

[Skvo]

So the new SSD and WLAN/Bluetooth cards were using NGFF all this time.

This is not NGFF slot.

Apple uses a proprietary connector - is not compatible with NGFF ...

I have the experience of connecting modules from Apple to the mini PCI-Express.

Apple combo-module pinout:

 

[scrump]

Is your adapter working?
And would an adapter directly to PCIe (without mini) work?

This would be great

 

[Skvo]

Is your adapter working?

Yes. BCM94331CSAX worked without problems...

I'm currently using Apple BCM94331CD. Pinout is the same: