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thadoggfather

macrumors P6
Original poster
Oct 1, 2007
16,125
17,042
I have the 2013 AirPort Extreme (an Apple refurbished) still because its so stable

but only get like 300-400mbps on 5ghz AC for a gigabit connection

This TP Link AX1500 looks sweet, $80 and supposed to be solid but it's been years since I've been in the market

have you guys made the leap? What did you come from, what's your connection and has it held up performance + stability wise?

probably don't need the strongest furthest reaching signal since I'm in a small apartment but wifi6 is increasingly appealing especially now that my iPhone and laptop support it
 

maxsquared

macrumors 6502a
Jun 27, 2009
628
446
London
I got a Xiaomi AX3600 last year because it's cheap and was recommended on reddit.

I've also got gigabit internet. I used to use an AirPort Extreme AC myself, and max I got was about 500mbps, but around 400 something most of the time. With the AX3600, the max I got with the M1 is over 600mbps, but most of the time it's around 580.

I usually plug my M1 in with Caldigit with ethernet connection and max I can achieve is 950mbps. An interesting point in terms of ethernet when connected to the same dock, it's slower than my Intel Mac, not by much though.

My ISP is rolling out so called 3GB connections (I reckon is 2.5 Gbps), can't wait when that's available.
 

thadoggfather

macrumors P6
Original poster
Oct 1, 2007
16,125
17,042
I got a Xiaomi AX3600 last year because it's cheap and was recommended on reddit.

I've also got gigabit internet. I used to use an AirPort Extreme AC myself, and max I got was about 500mbps, but around 400 something most of the time. With the AX3600, the max I got with the M1 is over 600mbps, but most of the time it's around 580.

I usually plug my M1 in with Caldigit with ethernet connection and max I can achieve is 950mbps. An interesting point in terms of ethernet when connected to the same dock, it's slower than my Intel Mac, not by much though.

My ISP is rolling out so called 3GB connections (I reckon is 2.5 Gbps), can't wait when that's available.

That doesn't sound like a substantial increase in speed over wifi from AC to 6 , no? from the way you describe it
 

Leon1das

macrumors 6502
Dec 26, 2020
285
214
Got Xiaomi AX1800 for 48usd.

Its a blast in 5Ghz spectrum - I lost all interference with neighbours, and on the weakest output its signal is MUCH stronger than max on my prev TP Link C7 with OpenWrt.
 

jeyf

macrumors 68020
Jan 20, 2009
2,173
1,044
i have a hard wiired ehternet iMac
i read that the wifi6 is not a speed increase.
Just as well i have the MBP w/ the junk keybaord. No one wants to use it any way.
 

maxsquared

macrumors 6502a
Jun 27, 2009
628
446
London
That doesn't sound like a substantial increase in speed over wifi from AC to 6 , no? from the way you describe it
MMmmm not really, not with this generation of M1 Macs.

AX only benefits when Apple either implement 160mhz or 3x3 or 4x4 to be able to reach 1 gig.
 

thadoggfather

macrumors P6
Original poster
Oct 1, 2007
16,125
17,042
Still using a AirPort Extreme along with the AT&T Gateway router. Thinking about getting a mesh system for better coverage in the house which is 2 levels and about 5,550 sq ft.

its amazing that Extreme is still a relevant router today, all these years later. I think I only spent like $100 for it too when AC was still very much the thing.

I wish Apple didn't discontinue their router product line.
 

Apple_Robert

Contributor
Sep 21, 2012
35,664
52,467
In a van down by the river
its amazing that Extreme is still a relevant router today, all these years later. I think I only spent like $100 for it too when AC was still very much the thing.

I wish Apple didn't discontinue their router product line.
I am rather surprised it is still doing well. I also have a 2TB Time Capsule that is running without any problems. Sometime this year, I will probably go with a mesh with wifi 6 support.
 

thadoggfather

macrumors P6
Original poster
Oct 1, 2007
16,125
17,042
I am rather surprised it is still doing well. I also have a 2TB Time Capsule that is running without any problems. Sometime this year, I will probably go with a mesh with wifi 6 support.

its true of any router too, but its really nice to just plug in the router even when moving places and using a new ISP, etc. and just go since all devices remember the wifi name + password from previously

that's part of the reason I'm adverse to change haha.
 

Apple_Robert

Contributor
Sep 21, 2012
35,664
52,467
In a van down by the river
its true of any router too, but its really nice to just plug in the router even when moving places and using a new ISP, etc. and just go since all devices remember the wifi name + password from previously

that's part of the reason I'm adverse to change haha.
I have noticed that with some products you are decisive and quick to pull the trigger. With other products, you will spend more time wresting with yourself. lol
 
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thadoggfather

macrumors P6
Original poster
Oct 1, 2007
16,125
17,042
I have noticed that with some products you are decisive and quick to pull the trigger. With other products, you will spend more time wresting with yourself. lol

not much self wrestling involved but I’m proud to still use my 12.9 2017 backlight banding and all

and my mini 5, which my 9.7 pro mostly paid for at launch but the mini hasn’t been updated (lapped)

I don’t upgrade laptops often tho

2015 12” to 2016 13” no Touch Bar pro

had that for years until this 2020 air switcheroo

m1 value and added benefits were too good to pass up
 

rmgbenschop

macrumors member
Dec 5, 2020
54
34
I’ve installed an Aruba AP-515 (not fully Wi-Fi 6 though..) a couple of months ago and I do appreciate the extra stability and speed.

I do think the real strength of Wi-Fi 6 will show in a dense environment with all Wi-Fi 6 clients. At home it’s a nice to have but not a must.
 

lightfire

macrumors regular
Aug 10, 2017
143
30
Eero pro mesh here. Multiple units. I can’t tell much difference between WiFi 5 and 6; but probably a limitation of my access.
 

mactinkerlover

macrumors regular
Sep 20, 2020
173
113
I have the 2013 AirPort Extreme (an Apple refurbished) still because its so stable

but only get like 300-400mbps on 5ghz AC for a gigabit connection

This TP Link AX1500 looks sweet, $80 and supposed to be solid but it's been years since I've been in the market

have you guys made the leap? What did you come from, what's your connection and has it held up performance + stability wise?

probably don't need the strongest furthest reaching signal since I'm in a small apartment but wifi6 is increasingly appealing especially now that my iPhone and laptop support it
Nope, still stuck on wifi 5 and even have a couple of wifi 4 (802.11n) APs running.
 

Allyance

Contributor
Sep 29, 2017
2,075
7,664
East Bay, CA
Can't beat the speed of a network cable, does not diminish with distance like Wi-Fi. My iPhone uses Wi-Fi in the house, which is fast enough.
 
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OSB

macrumors regular
Oct 27, 2015
138
125
Nope, and not planning to do so. My Ubiquiti UAP-AC-LR will live for very long. Absolutely no need to upgrade. Things that requires high speed link are hard wired. But if I really needed to upgrade, I’d probably pick the same Unifi APs but Wifi6.
Exactly this, except the AC-Pros.
 

KPOM

macrumors P6
Oct 23, 2010
18,308
8,320
its amazing that Extreme is still a relevant router today, all these years later. I think I only spent like $100 for it too when AC was still very much the thing.

I wish Apple didn't discontinue their router product line.
I have a Wifi6 router. The M1 MacBook Air has a 2x2 setup, so the maximum transfer speed is 1200Mbps.
 

thadoggfather

macrumors P6
Original poster
Oct 1, 2007
16,125
17,042
I have a Wifi6 router. The M1 MacBook Air has a 2x2 setup, so the maximum transfer speed is 1200Mbps.

which model? Is it stable?
What internet + what speed tests ?
What did ya come from?
Thanks
 

TehFalcon

macrumors 65816
Jan 6, 2011
1,128
1,067
United States
I have an Ubiquiti Amplifi Alien. Huge improvement over my Nightawk X6S (AC4000).

I can file transfer between my mac pro (wired) and my M1 MBP (WiFi 6) as if the MBP is on ethernet, its amazing.
 
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Michael Scrip

macrumors 604
Mar 4, 2011
7,972
12,661
NC
I have a Wifi6 router. The M1 MacBook Air has a 2x2 setup, so the maximum transfer speed is 1200Mbps.

Nice! Do you ever see those speeds in day-to-day use?

That's theoretically faster than gigabit Ethernet (1000Mbps)

It would be nice to get those speeds over WIFI to a NAS.
 

thadoggfather

macrumors P6
Original poster
Oct 1, 2007
16,125
17,042
I have an Ubiquiti Amplifi Alien. Huge improvement over my Nightawk X6S (AC4000).

I can file transfer between my mac pro (wired) and my M1 MBP (WiFi 6) as if the MBP is on ethernet, its amazing.

alien looks perfect ! And I know ubiquiti is a great brand

everythingnlooks good but the price haha
 
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