M1 Macs Support WiFi 6, MacBook Air Has Updated Function Keys

[MacRumors]

The M1 MacBook Air, 13-inch MacBook Pro, and Mac mini are the first of Apple's Macs to support WiFi 6, or 802.11ax. WiFi 6 support started rolling out in Apple devices with the March 2020 launch of the iPad Pro, but Apple did not include the feature in Macs refreshed earlier in the year.

WiFi 6 brings faster speeds, expanded network capacity, lower latency, and improved power efficiency, plus it is ideal for homes where there are many WiFi-connected smart home products in use. With more and more routers starting to offer WiFi 6 performance, the update is a welcome change to the Mac lineup.

None of the Macs refreshed today got major design changes, but the MacBook Air features an updated row of function keys that gains Spotlight search instead of Launchpad, and a dictation key and a Do Not Disturb key in place of the function keys that used to be available for adjusting keyboard brightness.

The Fn key at the bottom of the keyboard has also been updated to serve as an emoji key for bringing up emoji on the MacBook Air.

Aside from these function key updates, the M1 MacBook Air uses the same scissor switch keyboard that Apple added to the 2020 MacBook Air earlier this year. The scissor switch keyboard is more reliable than the prior-generation Butterfly Keyboard and not prone to failure due to exposure to crumbs and other small particulates.

The new M1 Macs are available for purchase as of today from Apple's online store, and the first orders are set to arrive to customers on November 17.

Article Link: M1 Macs Support WiFi 6, MacBook Air Has Updated Function Keys

 

[applicious84]

Still way better than a touch bar

 

[Rychiar]

keep touting wifi 6 for smart home devices when most smart home devices practically still use wireless N

 

[FelixDerKater]

But does it support 68K software?

 

[KPOM]

Interesting changes.

 

[Dkka1]

The only times I use my touchbar are when I'm trying to type a number and get mistaken. So I put it to sleep. Or I mute it. Or who knows what.

 

[imnotthewalrus]

Tempting...but I just purchased new iPad Air and Apple Pencil 2 (and a case and...)

 

[pelowj]

I thought the iPhone 11 had WiFi 6?

 

[SirAnthonyHopkins]

So how do you adjust the keyboard brightness now?

 

[JimmyBanks6]

How do you adjust keyboard brightness in that case?

 

[fbr$]

Wow, keyboard brightness keys are of utmost importance to me!

 

[R3k]

The only times I use my touchbar are when I'm trying to type a number and get mistaken. So I put it to sleep. Or I mute it. Or who knows what.

Only time I use it is to move emails from my inbox to a suggested folder. Saves time. Other than brightness and volume.

 

[Dimwhit]

I thought the iPhone 11 had WiFi 6?

It does. But these are the first Macs to have it.

 

[jz0309]

WiFi 6 for Intel based computers is only available in Tigerlake (11th gen) which only got released a few weeks ago, so no wonder it wasn't included in earlier updates for Macs this year ...

 

[cobioguy]

Article is wrong about the iPad Pro was the first Apple device with WiFi 6. iPhone 11 had it

 

[sniffies]

I can't express enough how much I hate hate hate TouchBar. It's the stupidest, most wasted, most useless, most gimmicky feature ever. I fell for its hype and hated it ever since.

The new Fn key layout is amazing, and I will be using the Spotlight button probably 1000000000 times a day. It's super useful.

I just hope Apple will offer 16" MacBook Pro Silicon without the stupid TouchBar (at least as an option).

 

[petsk]

I thought the iPhone 11 had WiFi 6?

Yeah, it did. MR is wrong.

 

[NMBob]

Maybe keyboard brightness is like Option-display brightness keys. That wouldn't be so bad. I think I've hit that Launchpad button once. Accidentally.

Oops, or Control-keyboard brightness. Forgot about the Option- option.

 

[bigjay33]

So what’s the benefit for the MBP over the Air? Performance and screen resolution looks exactly the same. Is the touch bar really worth the extra cash?

 

[JamonBull]

I want those function keys sooo much more than the TouchBar I've got on my 16" MacBook Pro. Amazing.

 

[btrach144]

keep touting wifi 6 for smart home devices when most smart home devices practically still use wireless N

That’s the point. WiFi 5 devices are plenty. Having your WiFi 6 devices using a different protocol reduces congestion

 

[mortenb]

Is the touch bar really worth the extra cash?

No! The touch bar is worth absolutely nothing, it's just plain annoying. Often wish my MacBook Pro had regular keys...

 

[BERMUDASHORTSDREIECK]

So how do you adjust the keyboard brightness now?

settings. I dont get why one would need to see the keys anyway.

 

[Populus]

So how do you adjust the keyboard brightness now?

How do you adjust keyboard brightness in that case?

Wow, keyboard brightness keys are of utmost importance to me!

I guess it could be nice if Apple added the combination of option key + screen brightness keys to change the keyboard brightness.

 

[Chompineer]

WiFi 6 for Intel based computers is only available in Tigerlake (11th gen) which only got released a few weeks ago, so no wonder it wasn't included in earlier updates for Macs this year ...

What? Plenty of intel based machines with AX200 cards have been out for a long while now. You can retrofit older machines with them even, provided they use an M.2 key network card.