Macworld: Apple intros 802.11n-based AirPort base ...

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MW Forums

12,220 posts since
Aug 2, 2004

Jan 9, 2007 12:40 PM

Apple intros 802.11n-based AirPort base station

Apple on Tuesday quietly introduced a new AirPort Extreme Base Station that supports 802.11n, a faster networking standard that works up to five times faster and up to twice the range as its predecessor. more

algengler

3 posts since
Apr 15, 2006

1. Jan 9, 2007 3:45 PM

in response to: MW Forums

Re: Apple intros 802.11n-based AirPort base station

It doesn't seem to have a plugin for an antenna

bbaskette

3 posts since
Feb 24, 2006

2. Jan 9, 2007 3:46 PM

in response to: MW Forums

Re: Apple intros 802.11n-based AirPort base statio

I can't believe they wouldn't incorporate Gigabit Ethernet in their new Base Station or their Apple TV. Come on, all their new Mac's come with Gigabit Ethernet. This is puzzling. 100MB vs. 600MB vs. 1000MB. You do the math.

jmincey

3,924 posts since
Aug 27, 2004

3. Jan 9, 2007 3:47 PM

in response to: MW Forums

Drafts and Standards

Once the .11n specification goes from "draft" status to official standard, I can only assume Apple will have provision for users to update to this bona fide standard with a firmware release. The question is whether existing legacy wireless cards in the Mac kingdom will be able to cope with this.

There is always a price to be paid for implementing a standard before it is out of the oven. I hope Apple has a soft landing in mind for us (in this regard).

warlock7

695 posts since
Aug 29, 2004

4. Jan 9, 2007 3:50 PM

in response to: MW Forums

Re: Apple intros 802.11n-based AirPort base statio

What about the card for in the machine? Do we need a different AirPort Extreme card? You need a different base station. The cards available on the site are the same cards you use with the old version. So, what's the deal with that?

edwardd20

51 posts since
Feb 5, 2004

5. Jan 9, 2007 3:58 PM

in response to: MW Forums

Re: Apple intros 802.11n-based AirPort base statio

Quote:<hr />
802.11n utilizes a technique known as Multiple-Input Multiple-Output (MIMO) to achieve the faster performance and longer range, and while it offers seamless connectivity with older products, the performance of an 802.11n network will slow down if slower devices are connected.

<hr />

I don't profess to understand all of this but I thought one of the advantages of MIMO and/or 802.11n is that a slower signal won't slow down the others.

fds

89 posts since
Sep 16, 2004

6. Jan 9, 2007 4:00 PM

in response to: warlock7

Re: Apple intros 802.11n-based AirPort base statio

See http://www.apple.com/wireless/80211/

Does my Mac support 802.11n?

These Mac computers support 802.11n in the new AirPort Extreme Base Station using the included enabler software:

iMac with Intel Core 2 Duo (except 17-inch, 1.83GHz iMac)
MacBook with Intel Core 2 Duo
MacBook Pro with Intel Core 2 Duo
Mac Pro with AirPort Extreme card option

The catch is, you need to install that "enabled software" only supplied with the new Airport Extreme base station. What if you would like to use a competing base station from another vendor?

warlock7

695 posts since
Aug 29, 2004

7. Jan 9, 2007 4:03 PM

in response to: fds

Re: Apple intros 802.11n-based AirPort base statio

Quote:<hr />
See http://www.apple.com/wireless/80211/

Does my Mac support 802.11n?

These Mac computers support 802.11n in the new AirPort Extreme Base Station using the included enabler software:

iMac with Intel Core 2 Duo (except 17-inch, 1.83GHz iMac)
MacBook with Intel Core 2 Duo
MacBook Pro with Intel Core 2 Duo
Mac Pro with AirPort Extreme card option

The catch is, you need to install that "enabled software" only supplied with the new Airport Extreme base station. What if you would like to use a competing base station from another vendor?

<hr />

What about the older machines? I have a DP G5 that has issues with the Airport Extreme cards anyhow.

People_Eater

145 posts since
Sep 12, 2006

8. Jan 9, 2007 4:04 PM

in response to: bbaskette

Re: Apple intros 802.11n-based AirPort base statio

Quote:<hr />
This is puzzling. 100MB vs. 600MB vs. 1000MB. You do the math.

<hr />

What's puzzling is what you are talking about. What is your 1000 megabytes referring to?

MacTel

1,029 posts since
Jun 6, 2005

9. Jan 9, 2007 4:06 PM

in response to: jmincey

Re: Drafts and Standards

Quote:<hr />
There is always a price to be paid for implementing a standard before it is out of the oven. I hope Apple has a soft landing in mind for us (in this regard).

<hr />

The standard is supposed to be ratified this year so I'd predict if there were any hiccups that Apple would fix the warranty and out-of-warranty holders alike. Otherwise, I smell a class-action.

warlock7

695 posts since
Aug 29, 2004

10. Jan 9, 2007 4:17 PM

in response to: jmincey

Re: Drafts and Standards

Quote:<hr />
Once the .11n specification goes from "draft" status to official standard, I can only assume Apple will have provision for users to update to this bona fide standard with a firmware release. The question is whether existing legacy wireless cards in the Mac kingdom will be able to cope with this.

There is always a price to be paid for implementing a standard before it is out of the oven. I hope Apple has a soft landing in mind for us (in this regard).

<hr />

They did the same thing with the g standard without any problems.

lantzn

331 posts since
Mar 30, 2001

11. Jan 9, 2007 4:47 PM

in response to: fds

Re: Apple intros 802.11n-based AirPort base statio

Quote:<hr />
The catch is, you need to install that "enabled software" only supplied with the new Airport Extreme base station. What if you would like to use a competing base station from another vendor?

<hr />

Then you will have to wait for someone to release an enabler with the third party hardware. Which probably won't be long.

Powerbookjunkie

33 posts since
Nov 14, 2003

12. Jan 9, 2007 6:26 PM

in response to: MW Forums

Re: Apple intros 802.11n-based AirPort base station

Is anyone else excited that the new base station is alot cheaper? On the Canadian Apple store it is 180 bucks cheaper than the older base.

heyjp

104 posts since
Jun 7, 2004

13. Jan 9, 2007 6:31 PM

in response to: Powerbookjunkie

Re: Apple intros 802.11n-based AirPort base station

If you read the "Tech Specs" page of the new Airport, you'll see that apple states that "most currently shipping macs and some pcs" support 802.11n.

Kind of implies that we'll be getting a firmware update soon, eh? (For current models at least!)

Jim

Machound

866 posts since
Jan 4, 2004

14. Jan 9, 2007 6:42 PM

in response to: MW Forums

Re: Apple intros 802.11n-based AirPort base statio

Quote:<hr />
The new base station also enables you to share USB-based printers and hard disk drives with the network, and can support a hub, so you can attach multiple devices. Software included with the device enables you to create password-protected accounts, or limit access to certain files and folders. The device itself can support up to 50 users at once.

<hr />

Is anybody excited about using the new base station with a hard drive as an inexpensive NAS? That's something I never heard about as even a rumored feature. I wonder if attached drives spin down when they're inactive.

Again, too bad it's not Gigabit. That detracts from the NAS-substitute concept.

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Jan 9, 2007 12:40 PM

Apple intros 802.11n-based AirPort base station

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