MacBook has Record Wireless Range

May 22, 2006 - 8:09am

Many (including myself) have reported that side by side the iBook G4 had a better reception and range of wireless networks than the PowerBook G4. This was reported to be the case due to the construction material of the machines. I have not read any reports about the MacBook Pro but it’s being reported that the MacBook has the best range of all tested Apple notebooks, even the iBook G4.

Apple have redesigned the wireless antennas on the MacBook which they have placed horizontally on the left and vertically on the right, specifically for that model. The reception and range is reported to be such an improvement that some users are picking up networks they didn’t even know existed using other models in the same area.

Officially Apple say the MacBook only supports the wireless standards of 802.11b and 802.11g, however it appears to be connecting flawlessly with 802.11a also.

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Matt is a Mac Geek by nature. While he came to the Mac platform only fairly recently he has become immersed in the culture quickly and is learning at a steady rate.

Utilizing his near decade history on the Windows platform (specializing in hardware, conflict resolution and problem solving) he has been a freelance journalist for a number of websites and publications. Delivering Mac news, tips and editorial articles aimed at educating non-mac users and guiding switchers through the process, he is also a staff writer for MacCast.com (where he also moderates the forum), contributing editor to TMUP and does segments on a number of podcasts ad-hoc.

Matt works for a British AASP/AR/ASE during the day and scans around online at night looking for more to quench his thirst.

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May 22, 2006 - 8:46am

Adam Knight said

Well, one would hope it better than the MBP. The two side-by-side and the iBook G4 will get three bars and the MBP one or none. Better than the PB G4, sure, but still bad.

It’s the one thing I do miss about my iBook. However, one could theoretically get an ExpressCard with a nice, big antenna…

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May 22, 2006 - 7:46pm

jasmeet said

Specifically, the iBook G3 800Mhz. I had to trade mine in (logic board kept blowing up, they lemoned it), and I still regret losing the beautiful reception on that guy. Time to search on eBay…

I bet it has something to do with the Airport cards too

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May 22, 2006 - 10:32pm

Adam Knight said

~~Glue~~ Solder on the video chip, actually. And the same case was on the iBook G4 and mostly the same AirPort design. I had both and they were similar enough to be identical in reception.