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    Poor wireless performace MBA Rev B

    Discussion in 'Apple and Mac OS X' started by jtmav, Jan 2, 2009.

  1. jtmav

    jtmav Notebook Enthusiast

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    Poor Wireless performance
    I have a Linksys wrt 150N wireless router that is about a year old. My Rev B MBA is not performing with the speed I had anticipated moving to Wireless N. I was working with Linksys tech support yesterday and pretty much exhausted all options to get speed and range acceptable. I have Comcast cable and my iMac is seeing download speeds shown below hardwired directly into the router.
    Using my MBA right next to the router I am barely getting 10% of that throughput. Before I replace the router I was considering a Time Capsule instead of a straight router. Is there anything I can do on the MBA side to remedy this? Is anyone using Time Capsule and getting good results?
    One final note I did re flash the firmware on the router and when I reset the router on the first try I get very good speed (14,000KBPS) and thereafter it drops back down to 1200KBPS or so. I am thinking the router is the problem not the Air, but if anyone out there has any suggestions I would appreciate it.
    Thanks,
    JTMav
     

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    jtmav, Jan 2, 2009
    #1
  2. EnterKnight

    EnterKnight Notebook Evangelist

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    Have you tried moving files over the network between your iMac and Air?
     
    EnterKnight, Jan 2, 2009
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  3. jtmav

    jtmav Notebook Enthusiast

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    I have used the remote disc and it worked flawlessly, have not tried to move files yet.
     
    jtmav, Jan 2, 2009
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  4. jtmav

    jtmav Notebook Enthusiast

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    Update, just tested my son's Dell Latitude right next to the router and got download speeds of 17000kbps. This laptop is not "N" but "G". Still much better than the Air. Seems like this is an Apple problem and not the router.
    Just got off the phone with Apple and they said it's compatibility issue with the MBA and the router. Sounds like they want me to buy an Apple router and really was of little help. Still stumped.
    Thanks for any help
    JTMav
     
    jtmav, Jan 2, 2009
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  5. HLdan

    HLdan Notebook Virtuoso

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    Have you thought about testing the iMac to see if you get the same wireless speeds? You should have a wireless card built into your iMac.
     
    HLdan, Jan 2, 2009
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  6. Glock24

    Glock24 Notebook Geek

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    Apple laptops are known for their poor wireless performance due to the metal casing having a considerable impact in signal strenght.
     
    Glock24, Jan 3, 2009
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  7. ValkyrieLenneth

    ValkyrieLenneth Notebook Evangelist

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    Have you tested your MBA with other routers ?
    BTW, I agree that metal casing of Macbook impact (very much) in signal strength. Everytime I attend a meeting in a glass room, I have to ask someone to keep the door open for my MBP to catch the signal :D
     
    ValkyrieLenneth, Jan 3, 2009
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  8. jtmav

    jtmav Notebook Enthusiast

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    Yes I did try that and while the speed was somewhat diminished compared to a direct connection it was still acceptable. I am starting to agree with the suggestion that the metal case has a negative impact. I wonder if I would find any improvement with an Apple router or maybe a Time Capsule. I thought I would take my MBA to the local Apple store and try a couple of their routers/Time Capsule and see what type of results I get.
    Thanks for the suggestion.
    JTMav
     
    jtmav, Jan 3, 2009
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