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MacBook Air M1 wifi 6 lacks 160 mhz channels?
- Thread starter MarkNY
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There are only a handful of devices that will connect at 160mhz. Though it is part of the AX feature set, many AX routers and end devices (tablets, phones and computers) will not work with 160Mhz.
However - The AX routers do add value to most networks that have AC and/or AX listed as wifi capable. AX routers that are moderate in price on up nearly always do a better AC than AC routers. As well AX connection (non 160mhz) also serves up some good speed when set up with care.
Let me pass a couple of odd scenarios that might be a good jumping point for a different direction with AX.
1) If your router does do 160mhz, you may want to check if it can be included in a mesh system OR wifi connect to a second router that has 160mhz of the same make. What this does is create a connection between the two items at 160mhz in a "backhaul" type of mode. The ideal would be to connect your iPad or Mac via cable to that 2nd router or mesh node so that it is getting the max goodness of the 160mhz backhaul. Alternatively, you could see if the non 160 AX connection to that 2nd router/node improves your speed over straight AX if you are in the far part of the house and of course over AC. My take would be to connect via cable if possible.
2) I don't recall seeing any yet, but there may come a time when wifi-6 160hmhz dongles come out. Simply connect to your Mac via USB and you should be ready to (and most likely won't need any device drivers).
However - The AX routers do add value to most networks that have AC and/or AX listed as wifi capable. AX routers that are moderate in price on up nearly always do a better AC than AC routers. As well AX connection (non 160mhz) also serves up some good speed when set up with care.
Let me pass a couple of odd scenarios that might be a good jumping point for a different direction with AX.
1) If your router does do 160mhz, you may want to check if it can be included in a mesh system OR wifi connect to a second router that has 160mhz of the same make. What this does is create a connection between the two items at 160mhz in a "backhaul" type of mode. The ideal would be to connect your iPad or Mac via cable to that 2nd router or mesh node so that it is getting the max goodness of the 160mhz backhaul. Alternatively, you could see if the non 160 AX connection to that 2nd router/node improves your speed over straight AX if you are in the far part of the house and of course over AC. My take would be to connect via cable if possible.
2) I don't recall seeing any yet, but there may come a time when wifi-6 160hmhz dongles come out. Simply connect to your Mac via USB and you should be ready to (and most likely won't need any device drivers).
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