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2012 Macbook Air-Airport Express Replacement?

jeffreyfranz

jeffreyfranz

macrumors member
Original poster
May 21, 2012
45
28
California
Perhaps folks can help me. I searched a couple different ways but did not find my info. My Airport Express just died, and I need a new router. I bought my 13" Macbook Air in April 2013, but I think I jumped the gun and missed the refresh, so it may be a 2012 model. I am using OS 10.9.5.

My Question: How high-end a router can I benefit from? Can I utilize 802.11ac, or is my laptop not up to that. In my System info it shows: Airport Extreme, Broadcom BCM 43XX 1.0 and supports 802.11 a/b/g/n. Am I out of luck on ac? Should I just buy a bargain router? Thanks all, Jeffrey
 
Bumpity Bump bump

Come on, folks. I realize mine is hardly a power user question and not sexy, but it should be easy to answer. Anyone, anyone?:apple:
 
JTToft said:
The 2013 MacBook Airs were released in June of that year. You have a 2012 model which does not support 802.11ac.
Click to expand...
Thanks to both posters. That was the info I didn't want to get but needed to confirm. Is there a big difference in real world performance between the two standards?
 
jeffreyfranz said:
Thanks to both posters. That was the info I didn't want to get but needed to confirm. Is there a big difference in real world performance between the two standards?
Click to expand...

In general web browsing you will not see much of a difference unless you are on an extremely fast connection and downloading large files. Your 2012 MBA can do 450 Mbps maximum wirelessly which is plenty for most usage. The 2013 Extreme does a bit better with wireless N clients than the 5th generation and future proofs you for future AC compatible purchases.

Do you have AppleCare on your MacBook Air?
 
Altemose said:
In general web browsing you will not see much of a difference unless you are on an extremely fast connection and downloading large files. Your 2012 MBA can do 450 Mbps maximum wirelessly which is plenty for most usage. The 2013 Extreme does a bit better with wireless N clients than the 5th generation and future proofs you for future AC compatible purchases.

Do you have AppleCare on your MacBook Air?
Click to expand...
Yes, I do. Why?
 
smallnetbuilder

Followed a link from another thread here and visited the site shown above for the first time. A TON of info. This has been very helpful, though it feels like the more I learn, the farther away I get from choosing a router!:confused:
 
jeffreyfranz said:
Yes, I do. Why?
Click to expand...

AppleCare on a Mac covers the AirPort purchased up to two years before the computer. Your Express is eligible for a free repair under the MacBook's AppleCare agreement!

That being said, in regards to your original question, your MacBook will not achieve wireless AC speeds with the internal wireless card.
 
Thank you & Result Posted

As a way of thanking all who helped, here is my result. After pouring over a # of websites and reading more than I ever wanted to know about routers, I took a suggestion from a poster here, went to the Apple Refurbished store and got a current generation (I think--June 2014) Airport Extreme for $129. I decided against higher-end routers until such time as I buy a newer Macbook Air or Pro. My Air only has a card that handles 802.11n, so costly ac routers were not going to do me much good presently. My dream "last computer" (I'm getting old) is one of the new 15" Macbook Pros. Then, maybe, I'll get a Star Wars router. Thanks again. - Jeffrey;)
 
jeffreyfranz said:
I took a suggestion from a poster here, went to the Apple Refurbished store and got a current generation (I think--June 2014) Airport Extreme for $129. I decided against higher-end routers until such time as I buy a newer Macbook Air or Pro. My Air only has a card that handles 802.11n, so costly ac routers were not going to do me much good presently.
Click to expand...

The current generation Extreme supports wireless AC.
 
One-day delivery; Results

I ordered my refurbished Extreme yesterday (see post, above), and it arrived today before noon. Set-up was a breeze, as many of you said it would be, and these were my results on first WiFi Speed Test:

Download: 31.41 Mbps
Upload: 4.46 Mbps

These are the same or similar best #s as I have ever got on my 30-Meg hi-speed internet connection using hardwired Ethernet mode. Yes, I am pleased. This test was done sitting next to the Extreme at the desk in my office. Upstairs bedroom, perhaps 20-25 feet away:

Download: 31.38 Mbps
Upload: 4.44 Mbps

This is plenty good performance for me, at least until the new Macbook Pros come out later this year, or maybe I choose to buy a refurbished current generation, either of these being ac capable, as my Air is not. All in all, I am pleased with the advice I got and with my choice.
 
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