Wi-fi 6e appears in... ipad pro only?

[nquinn]

Such a bizarre choice.

Of devices with the M2 chip, the new iPad pro got wi-fi 6e, but the macbooks only kept wi-fi 6? And the new TV 4k kept basic wi-fi 6 also?

I don't think it's that needed on the ipad/phone/etc, but the macbook should really get it for faster backups to NAS's or other network drives.

 

[fwmireault]

Apple didn’t announce its Mac updates yet, we will have to wait a few more weeks for that. Pretty sure that the M2 Pro/Max MBP will support Wifi 6E. For the Apple TV, it is just extra costs for Apple with little to no difference in real usage

 

[nquinn]

Apple didn’t announce its Mac updates yet, we will have to wait a few more weeks for that. Pretty sure that the M2 Pro/Max MBP will support Wifi 6E. For the Apple TV, it is just extra costs for Apple with little to no difference in real usage

Ya certainly possilble the new 14/16" models could get it w/ the M2 now.

Doesn't really matter for me since I'll keep my 2021 model for a long time.

 

[estabya]

I would bet my house that it’ll be on the new MBPs since it is on the iPad Pros.

 

[LionTeeth]

I’m willing to bet maybe 5 people in your city have networking gear that does even wifi 6, let alone 6e. AC is even like Blu-ray to DVD still.

 

[estabya]

I’m willing to bet maybe 5 people in your city have networking gear that does even wifi 6, let alone 6e. AC is even like Blu-ray to DVD still.

This. I can count on one hand the number of people I know with Wi-Fi 6E networking gear, and the only reason I know any is because I am an ex network admin who knows a lot of enthusiasts.

For 99% of use cases and people, 6 is already more than enough. It makes sense to me that it’d be relegated to the Pro devices for a while.

 

[LionTeeth]

This. I can count on one hand the number of people I know with Wi-Fi 6E networking gear, and the only reason I know any is because I am an ex network admin who knows a lot of enthusiasts.

For 99% of use cases and people, 6 is already more than enough. It makes sense to me that it’d be relegated to the Pro devices for a while.

I can believe it. I’m a home enthusiast and I still don’t have anything 6 at all. My 5ghz UniFi network is working perfectly, no need to change anything out

 

[estabya]

I can believe it. I’m a home enthusiast and I still don’t have anything 6 at all. My 5ghz UniFi network is working perfectly, no need to change anything out

I’m in the same position, still using a custom Wifi 5 system. I keep getting the itch to upgrade, but it’s far too little bang for the buck at this point. Especially since my use case wouldn’t see much/any performance improvement and so few devices support it anyway.

 

[maflynn]

I don't think it's that needed on the ipad/phone/etc,

Why?

I can think of plenty of reasons on why having my iPad and phone Wifi 6e is a good thing. Its not just a positive for Macs.

Given that Apple has not refreshed the MBP line, lets wait and see what wifi they'll be using

 

[Sheepish-Lord]

Apple still uses 2x2 MIMO on the 80Mhz channel so they bottle neck their stuff anyway. Wifi 6e is just another way to sell people crap in the name of future proofing. Call me when Apple starts using the 160Mhz channel for better throughput cause as of now it’s effectively a river funneled into a garden hose.

 

[maflynn]

Wifi 6e is just another way to sell people crap

That's largely true, even in 2022 I don't think 6E adoption is all that high, but I only have antidotal evidence, i.e., what I see in terms of public hotspots and enterprise hotspots.

 

[thenewperson]

I assumed they’d just jump to 7 so the iPad Pro with 6E is quite the surprise to me.

 

[JPack]

I assumed they’d just jump to 7 so the iPad Pro with 6E is quite the surprise to me.

Apple uses Broadcom and Broadcom is still sampling Wifi 7 chips. It usually takes 18-24 months after Broadcom launch before Apple adopts the chip.

 

[JPack]

Such a bizarre choice.

Of devices with the M2 chip, the new iPad pro got wi-fi 6e, but the macbooks only kept wi-fi 6? And the new TV 4k kept basic wi-fi 6 also?

I don't think it's that needed on the ipad/phone/etc, but the macbook should really get it for faster backups to NAS's or other network drives.

Apple is trying to make a $99 TV, so cost is important. They cut out the Ethernet chip itself and the charging cable, so Wifi 7 is completely out of the question.

 

[thenewperson]

Apple uses Broadcom and Broadcom is still sampling Wifi 7 chips. It usually takes 18-24 months after Broadcom launch before Apple adopts the chip.

Oh yeah, I’m aware. I just thought they’d stick with Wi-Fi 6 until 7 was ready. Glad to see that’s not the case.

 

[thenewperson]

Apple is trying to make a $99 TV, so cost is important. They cut out the Ethernet chip itself and the charging cable, so Wifi 7 is completely out of the question.

I do hope they do manage to get it down to $99. Getting back to that price point for a good-enough Apple TV (hopefully with Thread radio too) would be nice.

 

[magbarn]

Live in a Wi-Fi congested area and 6E has been a Godsend for my PCs. I’m getting faster than 1gb ethernet on transfers now. Getting half the speed on plain Wi-Fi 6 on my macs. Would love 6E on my MBP despite the reduced range.

 

[nquinn]

Live in a Wi-Fi congested area and 6E has been a Godsend for my PCs. I’m getting faster than 1gb ethernet on transfers now. Getting half the speed on plain Wi-Fi 6 on my macs. Would love 6E on my MBP despite the reduced range.

Ya, I really wish I could have gotten this on my ~ $3000 MBP 16". I badly needed a machine and just decided I'd have to live without it. I wasn't going to wait another year.

 

[playtech1]

The lack of 6E on the M2 MacBook Air is a bit odd in the circumstances.

I think the move to 2x2 rather than 3x3 Wi-Fi is bigger deal though - it would be great if the Pro machines reverted to 'Pro' level Wi-Fi specs. Apple used to be ahead of the pack on this, now they are solidly mid-range.

 

[nquinn]

Apple is trying to make a $99 TV, so cost is important. They cut out the Ethernet chip itself and the charging cable, so Wifi 7 is completely out of the question.

Wi-fi 6e barely adds any cost on the client side though (considerable on router side).

Intel has offered a 6e AX210 chip for like 2+ years now at $20. Cost on the chip can't be that much more than a regular 6 chip.

Intel AX210 Tri-Band Wi-Fi 6E Bluetooth 5.3 Network Card for Notebook

AX210 IEEE 802.11ax Bluetooth 5.2 Tri Band Wi-Fi/Bluetooth Combo Adapter for Notebook

smile.amazon.com

Seems silly to not include - could be related to current supply levels. I doubt Apple's cost on a 6e vs 6 chip changes by more than $1-$2. On tight margins on an Apple TV OK, but not on a $2000-$3000 laptop.

 

[nquinn]

This. I can count on one hand the number of people I know with Wi-Fi 6E networking gear, and the only reason I know any is because I am an ex network admin who knows a lot of enthusiasts.

For 99% of use cases and people, 6 is already more than enough. It makes sense to me that it’d be relegated to the Pro devices for a while.

6E definitely isn't commonly deployed because routers/access points only now are becoming affordable for it. ($200ish now, used to be $450+).

But you're missing the point - 6E doesn't need to be deployed everywhere for it to be useful. It should be available in laptops ASAP because:

1. It's cheap to implement into clients (see above).
2. I could deploy a home 6e router to avoid congestion in busy apartments, or to increase large file copy speeds to a NAS/etc.

For many in urban areas high rise buildings have horrible congenstion and being able to be on the 6ghz band would really help. I wouldn't expect 6e to be used in most public locations for a long time or if ever (likely they would wait until wi-fi 7).

 

[JPack]

Wi-fi 6e barely adds any cost on the client side though (considerable on router side).

Intel has offered a 6e AX210 chip for like 2+ years now at $20. Cost on the chip can't be that much more than a regular 6 chip.

Intel AX210 Tri-Band Wi-Fi 6E Bluetooth 5.3 Network Card for Notebook

AX210 IEEE 802.11ax Bluetooth 5.2 Tri Band Wi-Fi/Bluetooth Combo Adapter for Notebook

smile.amazon.com

Seems silly to not include - could be related to current supply levels. I doubt Apple's cost on a 6e vs 6 chip changes by more than $1-$2. On tight margins on an Apple TV OK, but not on a $2000-$3000 laptop.

Apple cut out the charging cable on the Apple TV to save a couple dollars. Wi-Fi 6E also requires a 6 GHz antenna. A dollar here and there adds up especially on a low margin device.

AirPods and Apple TV are both $129. It should be pretty obvious the bill of materials is much higher for the TV.

 

[nquinn]

Apple cut out the charging cable on the Apple TV to save a couple dollars. Wi-Fi 6E also requires a 6 GHz antenna. A dollar here and there adds up especially on a low margin device.

AirPods and Apple TV are both $129. It should be pretty obvious the bill of materials is much higher for the TV.

Ya like I said I could see it happening on the low margin TV device. Less so on the laptops.