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Curren~Sea

macrumors regular
Original poster
Jun 21, 2006
178
0
Vancouver, BC
I have a latest model MBP. Its wireless reception is fairly weak. What can I get to boost my wireless reception? I would think that some type of USB or plug-in device could do. Thanks.
 

chrisdazzo

macrumors 65816
Apr 11, 2006
1,204
1,493
Mountains

that thing is a BEAST!!

but as for the reception (if you're using an apple airport), i find that cordless phones often weaken or totally kill the reception. for example, when i'm connected to the airport network, and the phone rings, the airport symbol goes gray and i have no connection whatsoever. no matter where the airport is in my house. i wonder if the new airport works better as far as reception... :confused:
 

suneohair

macrumors 68020
Aug 27, 2006
2,136
0
The simplest way is to change the channel on your router. Most have around 12 channels. Try each one and see if it boosts. Test it at different distances as well.

Chances are if you are in the same house as the router you don't need to buy another dongle or anything else. Just change the channel. Also, setting it to G-only unless you have B devices may help.
 

jensepollense

macrumors regular
Jan 13, 2007
113
0
Virginia Tech/Blacksburg, VA
that thing is a BEAST!!

but as for the reception (if you're using an apple airport), i find that cordless phones often weaken or totally kill the reception. for example, when i'm connected to the airport network, and the phone rings, the airport symbol goes gray and i have no connection whatsoever. no matter where the airport is in my house. i wonder if the new airport works better as far as reception... :confused:

thats because the airport is on 2.4 ghz and the way it sounds your phone probably is too. once the phone rings, the two just interfere with each other. i used to have that problem but bought a 5.8ghz phone and no more problems.
 

Curren~Sea

macrumors regular
Original poster
Jun 21, 2006
178
0
Vancouver, BC
Actually, I am concerned about picking up hotspots. The laptop works great at home anywhere within my house. But when I'm out in the field I need greater reception. Thanks.
 

dadio2002

macrumors regular
Jul 1, 2005
143
0
London, Ontario
I have the exact same problem. In my college the majority of laptops that has a constant loss of connection or weak signal were macs. Is it just a bad antenna in the macs or can it be boosted.
 

jsw

Moderator emeritus
Mar 16, 2004
22,910
44
Andover, MA
I have the exact same problem. In my college the majority of laptops that has a constant loss of connection or weak signal were macs. Is it just a bad antenna in the macs or can it be boosted.
The aluminum skinned Mac laptops (PowerBooks or MacBook Pros) have notoriously bad reception.

The MacBooks, especially the C2D ones, have stunningly good reception, far better than that of the MacBook Pros, PowerBooks, or iBooks (although the iBooks are pretty decent).
 

suneohair

macrumors 68020
Aug 27, 2006
2,136
0
I wasn't sure what you needed. It is tough in the field, since you have no control over the hardware giving you the signal. It may just not work well with the Mac regardless of the antenna.

good luck to you. Hope you can find a solution. Any wireless cards that will get into that express card slot?
 
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