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Mac mini Model A1283 Antennas Replacement

Introduction

Replace your antennas to restore wireless connectivity.

What you need

  1. Mac mini Model A1283 Antennas Replacement, Top Housing: step 1, image 1 of 2 Mac mini Model A1283 Antennas Replacement, Top Housing: step 1, image 2 of 2

    • Power down your Mac mini, disconnect all of the cables, and flip it over.

    • Insert the Jimmy into the crack between the aluminum top housing and the plastic lower housing.

    • The Jimmy should reach a stop about 3/8" down.

    Edit

  2. Mac mini Model A1283 Antennas Replacement: step 2, image 1 of 3 Mac mini Model A1283 Antennas Replacement: step 2, image 2 of 3 Mac mini Model A1283 Antennas Replacement: step 2, image 3 of 3

    • Gently bend the Jimmy outwards to pry the crack open a little larger and lift the lower housing up a small amount.

    • There are several plastic clips on the lower housing that fit into a channel in the aluminum top housing. Your goal is to use the Jimmy to push these clips inward enough to free them from the channel, while gently pulling up on the lower housing.

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  3. Mac mini Model A1283 Antennas Replacement: step 3, image 1 of 2 Mac mini Model A1283 Antennas Replacement: step 3, image 2 of 2

    • Once you have the first side free, rotate the Mac mini and start prying up on the front edge.

    • Use the same prying motion to both bend the clips inward and lift the lower housing up out of the top housing.

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  4. Mac mini Model A1283 Antennas Replacement: step 4, image 1 of 2 Mac mini Model A1283 Antennas Replacement: step 4, image 2 of 2

    • You may need to move the Jimmy along the edge to pry up all of the clips. Be patient and do a little bit at a time.

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  5. Mac mini Model A1283 Antennas Replacement: step 5, image 1 of 2 Mac mini Model A1283 Antennas Replacement: step 5, image 2 of 2

    • Keep working around the perimeter, freeing the clips along the final edge.

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  7. Mac mini Model A1283 Antennas Replacement: step 6, image 1 of 2 Mac mini Model A1283 Antennas Replacement: step 6, image 2 of 2

    • Flip the Mac mini back over and lift the top housing off of the lower housing.

    Edit

  8. Mac mini Model A1283 Antennas Replacement, Internal Frame: step 7, image 1 of 1

    • In the next few steps you will be removing the AirPort and Bluetooth antennas (shown in red) from the internal frame. Be very careful, as breaking the brackets will require replacing the internal frame.

    • We will first remove the AirPort antenna, located in the lower left corner of this picture.

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  9. Mac mini Model A1283 Antennas Replacement: step 8, image 1 of 2 Mac mini Model A1283 Antennas Replacement: step 8, image 2 of 2

    • Slightly squeeze the two retaining arms toward each other and lift the AirPort antenna off its post.

    • Squeezing the two posts excessively will surely break them off the internal frame. Work delicately.

    • During reinstallation, you will have to slightly squeeze the two posts together so they fit into the openings on the AirPort antenna board.

    Edit

  10. Mac mini Model A1283 Antennas Replacement: step 9, image 1 of 2 Mac mini Model A1283 Antennas Replacement: step 9, image 2 of 2

    • The two Bluetooth antenna boards simply lift off the internal frame.

    • Grab the Bluetooth antenna nearest the port side of the computer by the edges of the board and pull it straight up off the internal frame.

    • Pull carefully, as it may offer significant resistance and release suddenly.

    Edit

  11. Mac mini Model A1283 Antennas Replacement: step 10, image 1 of 1

    • Remove the antenna board near the front of the mini by pulling it straight up off the internal frame.

    • If necessary, remove the piece of tape securing the antenna leads to the internal frame.

    • Be sure to keep track of the springs under each of the three antenna boards.

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  12. Mac mini Model A1283 Antennas Replacement: step 11, image 1 of 1

    • Use the flat end of a spudger to pry the audio ribbon cable connector up off the audio board.

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  13. Mac mini Model A1283 Antennas Replacement: step 12, image 1 of 1

    • Remove the following four screws securing the internal frame to the bottom housing:

    • Three 6.7 mm Phillips #00 screws

    • One 9.5 mm Phillips #00 screw

    • The screw in the lower right corner of this image is recessed deep in the internal frame and longer than the other three screws. A flashlight and a thin screwdriver aid in removal.

    Edit

  14. Mac mini Model A1283 Antennas Replacement: step 13, image 1 of 1

    • Lift the internal frame off the bottom housing, starting at the rear edge, until you feel the concealed edge connector on the motherboard disconnect. Then lift straight off, minding the bluetooth and 802.11 antenna cables.

    • When reassembling, the wifi antenna wire routes to the inside of the vent and then over the top of the vent.

    Edit

  15. Mac mini Model A1283 Antennas Replacement, Antennas: step 14, image 1 of 1

    • Use the flat end of a spudger to pry all three antenna connectors up off the combo card.

    • The black antenna cable attaches to the AirPort card near the corner of the mini, and the white antenna cable attaches nearest the center of the mini.

    Edit
Conclusion

To reassemble your device, follow these instructions in reverse order.

18 other people completed this guide.

4 Comments

Hello Mate. Unfortunately the guide I followed to replace the HDD on my Core2 Duo mini didn’t day anything about the antennas getting totally disconnected from the combo board. I tried using your photos of the connectors but I am still unclear as to which connects where. In your photo will you please reference which one goes to the right side connector, which goes to the top lef, and which goes to the bottom left?

Thank you

bufordk - Reply

The black antenna cable attaches to the AirPort card near the corner of the mini, and the white antenna cable attaches nearest the center of the mini. its clear from the photo

keithdean - Reply

the bluetooth antenna can only go one way. the wifi goes to the one that has two next to each other, closest one to the back of computer. then you have a BT antenna that goes NEXT to it, and it mounts closest to back of computer. The BT that mounts closer to the side, it mounts on the front of the computer. both BT mount on the same side the wifi on the other by itself. Its not the end of the world if you get these wrong, you just won’t get perfect coverage, but you’ll connect. Ive used these antennas on MacBook pros with the screens taken off (because the antennas for them are IN the screen)

Jane Weigl - Reply

what function for 3 antenna on there, 1. wifi 2. Bluetooth 3. what fungction no. 3??

and my mac mini just only hear big FAN, when plug power? can I fix..

Bruri Widiatmiko - Reply

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