Core 2 Duo has 802.11n Wireless Card SCOOP

[bigandy]

The Core 2 Duo iMac has 802.11n hardware in it. IF they update the MacBook/Pro to Core 2 Duo it might have 802.11n hardware too.

understood, and that's a logical route to take. however, the post referred to seems to be saying that the presence of pre N in the iMac pretty much confirms that the portables will be updated this week.

see where i'm coming from?

 

[Eidorian]

understood, and that's a logical route to take. however, the post referred to seems to be saying that the presence of pre N in the iMac pretty much confirms that the portables will be updated this week.

see where i'm coming from?

Photokina suggests an update NOT 802.11n.

 

[bigandy]

Photokina suggests an update NOT 802.11n.

um, yes, i know.

what's that got to do with it?

the post i questioned says:

Well, it looks like MacBooks will be updated tomorrow or at least sometime this week. Though have no clue about MacBook Pros.

i was thinking either the guy's got the wrong thread to reply in, or he's thinking there's some correlation between pre N and MB/MBP updates.

leaving the first option alone (because, really, i've never seen someone post a reply in the wrong thread before), so we'll look at the second option - correlation. if there is, i'm missing it. and, Eidorian, your replies make no sense to me - are we on the same page?

 

[Eidorian]

um, yes, i know.

what's that got to do with it?

the post i questioned says:


i was thinking either the guy's got the wrong thread to reply in, or he's thinking there's some correlation between pre N and MB/MBP updates.

leaving the first option alone (because, really, i've never seen someone post a reply in the wrong thread before), so we'll look at the second option - correlation. if there is, i'm missing it. and, Eidorian, your replies make no sense to me - are we on the same page?

Oh I know. It looks like they believe 802.11n suggests a MacBook update soon. I don't see a correlation. Photokina makes much more sense for an update.

 

[noservice2001]

so new air ports base will be N? sweet!

 

[bigandy]

Oh I know. It looks like they believe 802.11n suggests a MacBook update soon. I don't see a correlation. Photokina makes much more sense for an update.

i'm getting visions of macrumors members driving past a field of cows, pointing and saying to themselves that the sight of so many cows in that particular field must mean MacBook updates tomorrow.

 

[macfreek57]

Apple is still building systems with the proprietary AirPort Express slot, are they not? I know at least as far back as G4 iBooks they were. Seems like it wouldn't be too difficult to fit a an N-capable card in that form factor. manufacturers have even fit 802.11g cards into casings the size of thumbdrives, and the AirPort card form factor is 2 or 3 times that. I wouldn't expect that an N-capable card would have to be too much bigger than a G-capable card.
Point is, I think everyone with AirPort Express might be able to upgrade to N. Apple has come a long way since the transition from AirPort to AirPort Express (when they instantaneously adopted a new proprietary port-type which is not inter-compatible). I don't think they'll want to leave everyone hanging out to dry this time especially since they will want their consumer target base for the iTV to be as large as possible. How disappointing if a year-old (or 4-month-old) computer was useless with their flashy new device? of course this argument hinges on whether or not AirPort Express slots can provide the necessary bandwidth for 802.11n, which I assume the original AirPort slots did not.
anyway, someone (brave) with a new iMac should open it up and see if their AirPort card is in an AirPort Express slot and if it says anything about N.

 

[ezekielrage_99]

It makes sense because Intel is really putting the push on faster more reliable wireless. If you read the chipset features for the Core 2 Duo and Centrino 2 Duo chipsets it makes them sound like they have 802.11n intergrated into the chipset.

The thing I am really wondering does this mean we will have 802.11n Airport and Airport Express Basestations by Xmas

 

[jvolino]

Peace:

Could you open up that same properties window, but click on the "Details" tab and take a screen shot? This will show the vendor and device ID's which likely can be used to determine exactly which model the Broadcom is. (Or just post that string in a message in this thread?)

Thanks,
Judd

 

[Eidorian]

i'm getting visions of macrumors members driving past a field of cows, pointing and saying to themselves that the sight of so many cows in that particular field must mean MacBook updates tomorrow.

Welcome to MacRumors!

Peace:

Could you open up that same properties window, but click on the "Details" tab and take a screen shot? This will show the vendor and device ID's which likely can be used to determine exactly which model the Broadcom is. (Or just post that string in a message in this thread?)

Thanks,
Judd

MAC Address GET

 

[IlluminatedSage]

Sounds great. IM happy Apple is installing the hardware that can be activated by the OS when it is ready. and firmware updates to make it able to the standarn when finalized.

good going apple!

 

[7on]

Apple is still building systems with the proprietary AirPort Express slot, are they not? I know at least as far back as G4 iBooks they were. Seems like it wouldn't be too difficult to fit a an N-capable card in that form factor. manufacturers have even fit 802.11g cards into casings the size of thumbdrives, and the AirPort card form factor is 2 or 3 times that. I wouldn't expect that an N-capable card would have to be too much bigger than a G-capable card.
Point is, I think everyone with AirPort Express might be able to upgrade to N. Apple has come a long way since the transition from AirPort to AirPort Express (when they instantaneously adopted a new proprietary port-type which is not inter-compatible). I don't think they'll want to leave everyone hanging out to dry this time especially since they will want their consumer target base for the iTV to be as large as possible. How disappointing if a year-old (or 4-month-old) computer was useless with their flashy new device? of course this argument hinges on whether or not AirPort Express slots can provide the necessary bandwidth for 802.11n, which I assume the original AirPort slots did not.
anyway, someone (brave) with a new iMac should open it up and see if their AirPort card is in an AirPort Express slot and if it says anything about N.

Though the Airport might be a chip on the logicboard like Intel's Celeron chipsets. Which is why it's standard on all macs. (cept mac pros because it's a desktop proc).

 

[Zoboomafoo]

is this relevant? it's a course for macworld SF in 07:

PI: Advanced Wireless
Wireless networking is about to undergo major changes, with 802.11n, or Airport Extreme X2 and X4. Starting with the basics of wireless networks, we will show how to design, deploy and test wireless networks using both current 802.11 flavors then expanding to the next generation: 802.11n. Comprehensive security tools will be explained and demonstrated hands-on, with samples of the latest security tools implemented: WPA2, RADIUS, 802.1X and the tools hackers use to intercept wireless networks. Extreme wireless will take this to the limit, demonstrating amplifier and antenna uses for your network, and the implications 802.11n will have on your present network, as well as what it will enable us to do beyond present solutions.

 

[Konradx]

If this is actually true im so stoked! Then again it is a beta of a Microsoft product telling you something. It also tells you everything you open is a virus and to be cautious.

 

[Jopling]

Hey, I just got a new mac pro last tuesday. Has anyone checked in Visa if the card is n capable? I know Os X identifies my card as

Wireless Card Type: AirPort Extreme (0x14E4, 0x87)
Wireless Card Locale: USA
Wireless Card Firmware Version: 4.80.46.0

is it the same build as the n capable version on the iMac?

 

[micvog]

Hey, I just got a new mac pro last tuesday. Has anyone checked in Visa if the card is n capable? I know Os X identifies my card as

Wireless Card Type: AirPort Extreme (0x14E4, 0x87)
Wireless Card Locale: USA
Wireless Card Firmware Version: 4.80.46.0

is it the same build as the n capable version on the iMac?

I have a 20" iMac C2D and OS X reports the exact same information on my machine.

 

[spatial]

The Airport card slots in the Mac Pro's are Mini PCI-E. Is this card also PCI-E?

I wanted my Mac Pro early so I left out the Airport card and now apple say it will cost $300 to install it. They say it has "8 Seperate parts" and extra wiring that the Mac Pro does not have shipped.

It would be so good if you can buy alternative PCI-E Wireless cards (Broadcom) and install it yourself. Any idea if this will work?

 

[Peace]

Peace:

Could you open up that same properties window, but click on the "Details" tab and take a screen shot? This will show the vendor and device ID's which likely can be used to determine exactly which model the Broadcom is. (Or just post that string in a message in this thread?)

Thanks,
Judd

it's the broadcom 4328
The highest number on broadcom's website for 802.11n is 4321 so this is a new chipset

I installed the same version of Vista on my Mac Book but the wireless card is different.It's an Atheros.

another note

The Mac Pro's have the same Broadcom 802.11n cards.

Dell is using the new draft cards too

http://www.ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=257020

 

[wakerider017]

it's the broadcom 4328
The highest number on broadcom's website for 802.11n is 4321 so this is a new chipset

I installed the same version of Vista on my Mac Book but the wireless card is different.It's an Atheros.

another note

The Mac Pro's have the same Broadcom 802.11n cards.

Hey Peace,

Thanks for all this information!

You are a good guy!

 

[Rocketman]

Photokina suggests an update NOT 802.11n.

True, But yet anther random rumour states that TWO antennaes are now incorporated into Apple hardware too.

It's probably just a rumour

Rocketman

 

[Eidorian]

True, But yet anther random rumour states that TWO antennaes are now incorporated into Apple hardware too.

It's probably just a rumour

Rocketman

I believe that was the 5.8 GHz radio. Then again the Mac Pro comes with 802.11a support. It's just not available in OS X.

 

[bjdku]

Dell is using the new draft cards too

http://www.ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=257020

Excuse me if this statement makes me gag! I thought I was used to this Mac Intel world, but it is strange to consider Apple and Dell toe to toe with these releases. Draft wireless cards? Things are just starting to heat up...

 

[dontmatter]

really, i've never seen someone post a reply in the wrong thread before

I did it a while back. Just to make you aware I'm the fool of MR.

 

[chuckles:)]

has apple been known to do things this sneaky in the past?

 

[Mainyehc]

has apple been known to do things this sneaky in the past?

What, "sneaky" as in "sneaking 1.5GHz G4 proc's into some random Mac minis"?
It has happened before, so I'm not really surprised it's happening again. As long as they offer better hardware than advertised on the box, it's all fine and dandy to me