Clarification on the 802.11n (sorry)

[jambi]

Sorry to make another thread about this, but I've searched everywhere and can't seem to find anyone who's addressed this yet:

Will I be able to upgrade my Macbook C1D with a 802.11n card? I don't mind paying an Apple reseller to do the install, etc, but will it even be available?

 

[netdog]

Sorry to make another thread about this, but I've searched everywhere and can't seem to find anyone who's addressed this yet:

Will I be able to upgrade my Macbook C1D with a 802.11n card? I don't mind paying an Apple reseller to do the install, etc, but will it even be available?

This whole issue has really left me confused. When I got my MacBook CD, I distinctly remember posters saying that Windows saw pre-N wireless as present. Anybody else remember this or have I just lost my marbles?

If I am recalling correctly, isn't it likely that the MB CD will also become N-enabled once the updater ships? I know that my iMac C2D will work once I get my Airport Extreme N with the accompanying updater, but it would be great if my MB CD works at N-speeds as well.

 

[BillyShears]

I don't think so

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

So it looks like the answer is No.

At least not with the software update. I'm not sure if you can update the hardware, as I don't have a MacBook. I fairly certain you cannot, though. The only thing I've heard you can swap in the MacBook are the hard drive and the RAM.

 

[EricNau]

This whole issue has really left me confused. When I got my MacBook CD, I distinctly remember posters saying that Windows saw pre-N wireless as present. Anybody else remember this or have I just lost my marbles?

If I am recalling correctly, isn't it likely that the MB CD will also become N-enabled once the updater ships? I know that my iMac C2D will work once I get my Airport Extreme N with the accompanying updater, but it would be great if my MB CD works at N-speeds as well.

No - Windows only saw 802.11n on the C2D machines.

 

[MacDonaldsd]

As far as I know No core duo mac has wifi n, just the majority of core 2 duo macs

 

[BillyShears]

So you can't install a new Airport card? (Physical hardware install, not a software update.) I think that was his original question. I'm not sure because I don't have a MacBook, but I am pretty sure you can't.

 

[NightStorm]

So you can't install a new Airport card? (Physical hardware install, not a software update.) I think that was his original question. I'm not sure because I don't have a MacBook, but I am pretty sure you can't.

I believe even if you could replace the airport module, you'd still be short an antenna. If I read correctly, the n-chipsets use 3 antenna leads, whereas the g-chipsets only use 2. I could be wrong though; I haven't looked into this too much. I'm hoping either Apple or a 3rd party release a ExpressCard 802.11n adapter.