Upgrading 3G to 4G LTE P645-SG

I'm wondering whether or not I can upgrade the 3G wireless card up to a 4G/LTE on my P645-SG.

Would really appreciate finding this out! It would make a huge difference to my life!

 

Anyone have any ideas about this? Crucial for me as I need LTE! Thanks!

 

@thrombox you definitely want non-HP & non-Lenovo card; as far as I understand, any generic (non-branded) card and Dell card will work, though not entirely sure. Make sure to pick correct LTE band and interface; card should be unlocked.

 

So you can just swap them out? The P645-SG comes with an integrated 3G module, it's this that I'd like to swap for the newer 4G/LTE integrated modules that the new P645/P648 models are getting.

 

@thrombox if it's detachable, you will replace it; if it's not detachable, you won't. Did you look it up physically or in service manual?

 

Annoyingly I don't have the laptop to check if it even has it. I'm now told some models didn't have it.

If you don't have it you get a free M2 slot and then I presume you need wiring for the antenna etc.

I'd have no idea where or what parts to get and where to run the antennas.

 

@thrombox if you have a laptop with 3G modem, and it's an m.2 modem, then there shouldn't be any problem replacing it - Acer is not known to whitelist stuff; you will only need the replacement card, nothing else. If notebook has no modem at all, then you'll likely need antennae running to display lid (replacing the whole display module is much easier, just in case - and you'll be able to sell yours) at the very least; also, the wwan slot may be absent (not soldered at all, or available as a daughterboard) or not wired properly, sim-slot may be absent too - that's all quite some hassle.

 

Starlight5, I really appreciate your input.

I am going to be changing the panel screen on my P645-SG anyway so I will have access to run the antennae should I need to do this.

Ok so I've checked over the laptop and can see two issues with doing this upgrade already.

Here's a photo of a P645 with the 3G wwan module and antennas.



Here's a photo of a P645-SG without:



Here's a P645 with an access panel to the SIM slot:



Here's a P645 without the access panel and hence no 3G/4G module:



I believe it should be possible to upgrade it (unless someone will enlighten me), the parts I can see I'll need are the antenna, 4G/LTE module and also the removable panel.

My only problem now is finding a service or parts manual, or a supplier for these parts as I can't seem to find anything comprehensive for Acer online.

 

Good luck on Acer being forthcoming on hardware documentation and parts manuals outside their service facilities. That has always been an Acer weakness.

 

Well I managed to find the part numbers for the following:

-The 4G/LTE module.
-The antennae.
-The panel that opens.
-The bracket for the panel (no idea what this is for)

Is it worth the hassle or should I send the laptop back and get one with all the wwan stuff I wanted?

 

@thrombox if you can send the laptop back and get the one with WWAN, that would be optimal decision.

 

Looks like I cannot send it back so will likely be doing this mod myself now.