Apple Looking into MacBook Air Wi-Fi Complaints, Issuing Replacements

[MacRumors]

Following complaints from a number of new Macbook Air owners concerned about Wi-Fi performance issues, 9to5Mac reports that Apple is investigating the problem.

In the United States, Apple Geniuses and Advisors should capture MacBook Air (13-inch, Mid 2013) and MacBook Air (11-inch, Mid 2013) computers with any Wi-Fi issues.

Users suggest that while the Wi-Fi on affected machines will connect, the connection will time out after a minute or two requiring a restart. Apple is reportedly offering some customers new machines in order to get ahold of problematic units that will be sent back to Apple for further investigation on the source of the potential issue.

The June 2013 MacBook Airs use the newest 802.11ac Wi-Fi standard, which is designed to offer faster connectivity and bandwidth. Earlier today, new reports suggested that a separate Wi-Fi software problem might be causing MacBook Air users to experience slower-than-expected speeds on their machines.

It is unknown if the two issues are related, but both may be solved through simple software updates once Apple isolates the problem.

Article Link: Apple Looking into MacBook Air Wi-Fi Complaints, Issuing Replacements

 

[GREEN4U]

Sucks.

 

[vartanarsen]

not looking good for Foxconn right now...i assume some heads there shall roll..

 

[3282868]

You're connecting it wrong

 

[Shaggymax]

Good thing they didn't roll out an entire updated line. 11/13 MBA beta release...that will iron out a few bugs

 

[macs4nw]

I'm wondering if it has to do with some incompatibility issue between those new (supposedly backward compatible) 'ac' chips, and the 'n' chips in the routers of undoubtedly most people, who bought those new MBAs.

Good to hear they're on it, though.

 

[toronado455]

confusled



So if this is not a hardware issue, why does Apple need the "problematic units" to study?

 

[Glideslope]

not looking good for Foxconn right now...i assume some heads there shall roll..

What makes you think it would be an accident, or poor QC?
One never can be sure with the Chinese. Or, the US for that matter.

 

[yongren]

I haven't had this problem with my 2013 MBA, is there some way to reproduce the bug & see if I have it?

11" base model

 

[Dr Charter]

No issues for me so far. This has been a great little computer for the past 6 hours that I've owned it.

 

[billystlyes]

It's a hardware issue. The same kind that plagues Samsung Series 5 and 7 laptops.

 

[Reksy]

No issues on mine. Some posts ive seen suggests that if you put windows on it, the issue goes away...So i imagine its a driver issue.

 

[ValSalva]

Even if it is a software problem Apple would still offer replacements to dissatisfied customers because there is as yet no fix.

But hopefully it really is just a driver/software issue and not due to bad hardware

 

[SactoGuy18]

One issue that Apple may have to address is whether the on-board wireless network adapter works correctly with arguably the two most popular 802.11ac wireless routers out there, the Asus RT-AC66U and the Netgear R6300. If not, Apple may have to update the MacOS X 10.8 NIC driver to resolve this issue.

 

[Titanium81]

My 2012 MacBook Air is looking better all the time.

 

[Ingot]

No issues for me so far. This has been a great little computer for the past 6 hours that I've owned it.

No issues with mine either yet. Had it for a few days and nothing out of the ordinary has come. I hope that trend continues. MBA 11" 256gb flash and 8gb ram.

I am using it way more than my iMac 27" 2009.

 

[RoboCop001]

And this is how they'll capture those MacBook Airs:

Jack "TONY IT'S JACK! I NEED THAT HELICOPTER NOW!"
Tony "Jack, I can't, CTU's resources are all tied up."
Jack "Damnit, Tony! WE NEED TO CAPTURE THOSE MACBOOK AIRS!"
Tony "You got it, Jack. Helicopter will be there in 10 minutes."

 

[G4DP]

Even if it is a software problem Apple would still offer replacements to dissatisfied customers because there is as yet no fix.

But hopefully it really is just a driver/software issue and not due to bad hardware

That's just funny.

Apple have serious Wi-Fi issues with products for over 4 years. The past response has been tough luck, deal with it. Even when you prove it infront of the staff in store.

I would imagine there will be many angry MacBook, MacBookPro owners when they see this.

 

[iSayuSay]

Always with the WiFi.. Always

I guess Apple just hates WiFi.. Or is it the other way around?

 

[twoodcc]

that's good that apple is trying to fix the issue and supporting their customers. hopefully they fix the issue soon before more new macs are released

 

[Mr. Retrofire]

Previous Broadcom chips had also some bugs. I'm sure Apple has a workaround ready in 10.8.5.

 

[palmharbor]

Basic functions

Apple is always adverse to improving basic functions such as the ability to wirelessly connect to the net via wifi.

They are adverse to fixing Apple Mail.
they are advers to fix address book
They are adverse to improving copy paste, unchanged since OS 8

More interested in esoteric issues of no consequence

 

[flash84x]

So if this is not a hardware issue, why does Apple need the "problematic units" to study?

Sometimes it is very hard to reproduce an issue, getting your hands on a device that is already experiencing the issue helps speed the debugging process up.

 

[tech4all]

My 2012 MacBook Air is looking better all the time.

As soon as the problem is fixed, the new MacBook Air will be looking better than your 2012.

 

[revisionA]

I've been fine on two different networks, WPA and WEP and neither was AC type... guess I'm cool.