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Don't bother with wireless N on the iPad unless you're really close to your router.
- Thread starter WilliamG
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I have noted the same issue as the OP with an airport extreme router using 5 ghz for the n only mode (2.4 for b/g).
When I am in the same room as the router the n connection get the same download speed on speedtest.net as the g connection (20 Mbps), but when farther away the n suffers signficantly (5 Mbps).
When I am in the same room as the router the n connection get the same download speed on speedtest.net as the g connection (20 Mbps), but when farther away the n suffers signficantly (5 Mbps).
N routers were a ragged bunch of reliability when they first showed up. I had the same experience as the OP with any N capable device using my D-Link router so I eventually disabled the N radio in it. I recently bought a new device supporting N and revisited my router's N radio. Same problem. A firmware update was available though, and after installing it my N woes were over. Now I've gone back to my other N capable devices and they all work reliably. Where does it help? Downloading or streaming content from my 1.5tb locally networked hard drive.
My Internet connection is 10MB & my iPad connects at 9750 kbs to 9900 kbs whether in N-5ghz, N-2.4 ghz or G. I'm using an Airport Extreme at one end of the house & an Airport Express extending the network at the other end.
Actually, it IS universal. It's a matter of physics. The higher the frequency, the less radio waves are able to penetrate solid structures (walls, etc.) Now, this may or may not be a practical issue for any individual, depending on distance, wall construction, antennas and antenna orientation, etc.
Assuming, of course, that you are using N on 5gHz, rather than 2.4gHz. But greater interference at 5gHz is unlikely. In general, 2.4gHz has more interference than 5gHz, because of the presence of microwave ovens, Bluetooth, and other services at 2.4 gHz that are not present at 5gHz, as well as the narrower spectrum allocation for this service at 2.4 gHz (more routers crowded into less space).
So you only have one computer, or don't share services between them? Then I guess you're right.Actually, my home internet is 30mbit.
In any case, my point is that there seems to be NO benefit to wireless N (aside from running on the 5Ghz band, of course). I've found wireless G to give me a consistent 54mbit, whereas wireless N is only giving me 29mbit at the same location in my house.
I have an Airport Extreme in my home, which is set up for dual band. My iPad's WIFI signal stays strong even when I take it upstairs, pretty far away from my router. I have had NO wifi issues whatsoever with my iPad, and I've taken it to our church's wifi cafe, Panera Bread, and a few other hot spots.
HOWEVER, I looked at my WIFI stats in the Airport Utility, and my iPad is only connecting at 39 (I'm assuming mbps). My iMac and Macbook, on the other hand, connect at 100+ all the time. I even forced the iPad into N mode and it still only connected at 39. Of course, 39 is not bad and I never noticed any speed issues, but I'm wondering why it doesn't connect at 100+ like my iMac and Macbook, given that it uses Wireless-N? And this is even if the iPad is sitting right next to the router... My guess is that it just has a lower powered WIFI radio than those other devices, despite using the more current Wireless-N technology.
Any ideas?
HOWEVER, I looked at my WIFI stats in the Airport Utility, and my iPad is only connecting at 39 (I'm assuming mbps). My iMac and Macbook, on the other hand, connect at 100+ all the time. I even forced the iPad into N mode and it still only connected at 39. Of course, 39 is not bad and I never noticed any speed issues, but I'm wondering why it doesn't connect at 100+ like my iMac and Macbook, given that it uses Wireless-N? And this is even if the iPad is sitting right next to the router... My guess is that it just has a lower powered WIFI radio than those other devices, despite using the more current Wireless-N technology.
Any ideas?
WilliamG said:
At first I was a doubter. WilliamG you are on to something.
I also have the Airport Extreme Simultaneous Dual-Band.
My iPad connects at 39 as well, just like the dude above.
Mine says
39 802.11b/g/n
However, my MBP is connected
270 802.11a/n
Weird that the iPad chose the 2.4ghz network over the 5ghz.
I take it you're using a first generation dual-band Airport Extreme then, not the new one from late 2009. How would I know that? Because if it works like the Time Capsules do, the most you can get out of a 1st generation dual-band Time Capsule is 39mbit with the iPad on 5Ghz Wireless N, whereas the most you can get out of a second (current) generation Time Capsule is 72mbit on the iPad using Wireless N 5Ghz.
I really have done a TON of research into this. I'm not sure what Apple is playing at with the Wireless N chips in the iPad, but something is going on...
WilliamG, you my friend, are completely correct. I bought it right before the refresh :-(.
Actually, my home internet is 30mbit.
In any case, my point is that there seems to be NO benefit to wireless N (aside from running on the 5Ghz band, of course). I've found wireless G to give me a consistent 54mbit, whereas wireless N is only giving me 29mbit at the same location in my house.
Umm, you guys forgot about the actual home network? It's much better to future proof your network by having all the devices run in N mode so that the router doesn't drop down to B/G speed. Simultaneous and non-simultaneous dual bands routers at this moment just sucks, too many issues and instability with them. I rather have a single band N router for a single N only WiFi network. Now imagine the advantage of having 300/600Mbps between your computers for file sharing, video streaming and so on. That's the biggest advantage of WiFi N.
Also it isn't 300Mbps, it depends on the how many antennas you got in the device and the router, WiFi uses MIMO technology to double the bandwidth and with the inclusion of 40MHz bands, it can go up to 600Mbps.
If the device has 2 antennas in communication with the router, it's 150Mbps one way. If four, it's 300Mbps. If both the device and the router uses 40MHz, it's 300Mbps with 2 antennas and 600Mbps with 4 antennas. Unfortunately 40MHz is buggy at this moment. It would take years before we all have stable 40MHz dual band routers that just works. (There are some routers that use 3X2 or 3x3 MIMO setups, 3 receivers/2 transmitters means 200Mbps/150Mbps.)
iPad WiFi only has two antennas, which means it's only communicating at 150Mbps. Not 300Mbps as you guys think it should. So set your expectations down to 150Mbps at the minimal, actually far less than that. The overhead for security, protocols and so on push it down to around 78Mbps.
I too have the 1st gen dual band Airport extreme, so that explains the 39mbps cap. How come the iMac and MacBook can connect higher? Is it just because of the type of wireless n chip inside the iPad?
Any any rate (pun intended), at least I know I'm getting good wifi signal and coverage. As I said earlier, I'm having no wifi problems.... I was just wondering why I was connecting at 39. Thanks for the info!
I have a AEBS 2nd gen and my iPad is 100% reliable on the 2.4ghz N network, 5ghz is quite shaky, will not always connect, sometimes it slows to a crawl. Airport is on second floor while I"m usually on the first, no problems when I"m in the room with the router. If you google 5ghz problems, you"ll find tons of information.
Read my post for the technical details why iMac/Macbook can get higher speed than iPad. iMac/Macbook has 4 antennas.
I don't see any instability with my dual-band Time Capsule with any of my devices except my iPads (yes, TWO of them). My iMac, MacBook Pro, Mac mini connect at N speeds in the 200-300mbit rate depending on how far away they are. I realize N is theoretically better, but I have found that in the absolute best case, i.e. a 2nd generation dual-band Time Capsule, the iPad is capable of 72mbit MAX, period, in the same room. With a 1st generation dual-band Time Capsule, it's 39mbit, MAX. When you start moving away from the base station, the iPad's N capability is SEVERELY hamstrung. I get a consistent 54mbit connection over 2.4ghz/G with my iPad vs a VERY flaky ~29mbit over 5Ghz/N just a few rooms away with my 2nd gen dual-band Time Capsule.
So, my point is this: The iPad's Wireless N antenna hardware blows goats.
OR, Apple has some radio boosting to be done in software.
Either way, if you're a few rooms away from your router (at least the Time Capsules/Airport Extremes), Wireless G 2.4ghz is the way to go for the most reliable signal.
I don't see any instability with my dual-band Time Capsule with any of my devices except my iPads (yes, TWO of them). My iMac, MacBook Pro, Mac mini connect at N speeds in the 200-300mbit rate depending on how far away they are. I realize N is theoretically better, but I have found that in the absolute best case, i.e. a 2nd generation dual-band Time Capsule, the iPad is capable of 72mbit MAX, period, in the same room. With a 1st generation dual-band Time Capsule, it's 39mbit, MAX. When you start moving away from the base station, the iPad's N capability is SEVERELY hamstrung. I get a consistent 54mbit connection over 2.4ghz/G with my iPad vs a VERY flaky ~29mbit over 5Ghz/N just a few rooms away with my 2nd gen dual-band Time Capsule.
So, my point is this: The iPad's Wireless N antenna hardware blows goats.
OR, Apple has some radio boosting to be done in software.
Either way, if you're a few rooms away from your router (at least the Time Capsules/Airport Extremes), Wireless G 2.4ghz is the way to go for the most reliable signal.
First, don't confuse N with 2.4GHz/5Ghz. 5Ghz by nature has a much shorter range of operation than the 2.4Ghz. So why don't you use N in 2.4Ghz mode instead?
Secondly, a lot and i mean A LOT of people have issues with 5Ghz bands with any router brand. Just google 5ghz router issue and you'll see a lot of issues from a variety of routers. It just sucks.
Thirdly, first gen Time Capsule sucks. The N chipset there was not mature and it just sucks overall. The fact you can switch to a second gen and get faster speed should tell you how much it sucks. It's not the iPad, a lot of people had some issues with the N chipset there.
Fourth, 72mbit MAX is the right speed in the same room. That's the max speed you're ever going to get for any 2 antenna devices, and they all will drop fast once you start hitting walls or any interference because the fact is, 5Ghz sucks at penetrating walls. Change it to 2.4Ghz, it should be more stable outward.
I don't understand what you're complaining about with the N antenna, it's working at the max speed. The issues are connection stability which is probably going to be fixed via firmware updates, it's probably handshaking issues or something else.
The first-gen dual-band Time Capsule is fantastic, and does NOT suck. I have had absolutely no issues with it with the later firmwares. In fact, I get the exact same speeds with all devices EXCEPT the iPad, for some reason - with the first and second gen dual-band TCs.
The only issue is with first gen TC. You are supposed to get ~72-130mbps (150Mbps-overhead) max with iPad. The 39mbps is probably the TC dropping down from N to G, if you were to switch TC to G only network, the iPad should connect at that "rate".
Airport extreme in basement and iPad on 3rd floor, connected using 5ghz band....
FULL STRENGTH
OP has no point
I think several people are misunderstanding the original poster. He wasn't talking about signal strength. He's talking about speeds.