2013 Macbook Pro 802.11ac?

[Panini]

Just curious. I'm thinking of getting a 13" MBA until the 2013 comes out if it means better wifi -> better airplay.

That plus a better iGPU to be able to run 1920 scaled without fear is enough of a reason to wait for me, but I'm still on the verge.

Question: Will the macbook pro likely be updated with 802.11ac wifi anytime soon?

 

[geoffreak]

It's entirely possible we'll see Apple devices with ac support within the next year. The standard is still in draft (which didn't stop Apple with wireless n), but it will become ratified late 2013.

I doubt that we will see adoption by Apple until the next generation of devices as many devices are due for a revamp at the beginning of 2013. Although it would be entirely possible for Apple to sneak in support for the new standard.

 

[Panini]

If I understand correctly, for a device to use 802.11ac all it needs is additional software?

Does this mean that current macbooks may also get 802.11ac support or will that require a hardware upgrade?

 

[Freyqq]

If I understand correctly, for a device to use 802.11ac all it needs is additional software?

Does this mean that current macbooks may also get 802.11ac support or will that require a hardware upgrade?

probably a hardware upgrade is required

 

[geoffreak]

In theory it could be possible that new software would enable the new wireless standard. In reality the likelihood that the chips included in Apple devices would have the capabilities to handle the high bandwidth wireless ac is not very good.

TLDR 8ball: Don't bet on it.