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    Any word on when Apple will enable N wireless?

    Discussion in 'Apple and Mac OS X' started by Don_Vito_Corleone, Jan 19, 2007.

  1. Don_Vito_Corleone

    Don_Vito_Corleone Notebook Guru

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    Apparently many (or all) of the Apple Core 2 Duo systems have b/g/n wireless built in, but will charge $2 for software to enable the N. See http://www.engadget.com/2007/01/15/apple-holds-802-11n-capabilities-hostage/

    Is there any word on when they will make the software available, or whether there's any way of knowing which systems have this feature? I bought a new C2D MacBook a couple of weeks ago and I'm hoping I will be included. Honestly I think N is basically just for bragging rights at this point, but it would be neat to have.
     
    Don_Vito_Corleone, Jan 19, 2007
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  2. jimboutilier

    jimboutilier Notebook Evangelist NBR Reviewer

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    Rumor is that all C2D's (MB's and MBP's) have this capability and you can enable it now by paying Apple a small fee or by purchasing the latest Airport (which also does pre-n and will enable the functionality on any Mac with that functionality).

    Its supposedly because of some obscure accounting rules, it will never be "free" to activate, but if you know anyone with the latest Airport, in theory you could get it activated by just connecting to that airport ;-)
     
    jimboutilier, Jan 20, 2007
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  3. cashmonee

    cashmonee Notebook Virtuoso NBR Reviewer

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    Ya the new base station will include a CD or you can pay the $2. The software will be released when the base station starts shipping which is sometime in February. The only C2D Mac not to have N is the 17" 1.83 iMac. Everything else should have it.

    As a side note, N is not just bragging rights. If you want to stream HD video N is the only way to reliably do it. N also adds a lot more range and of course speed for large file transfers. I would not buy the Airport Bas Station however. The LAN is only 10/100, which for a $180 N router is a gross oversight. In fact with 10/100 your wireless will be faster than your wired.
     
    cashmonee, Jan 20, 2007
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