MacBook Pro Wireless Router Compatibility?

[Merkava_4]

Hi Everyone,

I have a 2007 Model A1226 MBP and I'm currently using a PACE Model 5031NV-030 modem/WiFi router combination without any issues. However, I'm thinking about switching ISP providers and I'm not sure if the new AC1600 routers are compatible with such an older MBP. I'm not sure if the PACE router uses N300 or N600 WiFi. Whatever it is, it works fine. I was looking at getting an ARRIS SBG6700-AC modem/WiFi router combination which broadcasts in AC1600. The question is: would my older 2007 MBP be compatible with an AC1600 router?

 

[Stefan johansson]

Check what wi-fi the machine use,there are two different standards. However,most modern routers use both,so I guess it will work fine for you,the standard wifi of your Mac,should be found in network specifications or hardware specs.

 

[Merkava_4]

Hi Stefan in Sweden. I'm not finding anything in "About This Mac" or System Preferences/Network that specifies whether it accepts N300, N600, or AC1600. All I can find is something called "802.1X" and I'm not sure what that is.

 

[Stefan johansson]

Seems like your Mac is compatible with most standard routers used here,802.1x is one of the most used wifi codecs there is. A bit old,but all routers I seen,including internet sharing on iPhone 5 and 6 use it.

 

[duervo]

Any router at this time that will support 802.11ac will also support the 802.11a/b/g/n adapter that's in your system.

 

[ClaveMan]

What is the state of the art with Apple Wifi in regards to MacBook Pro? I am upgrading my router and want to be ready for the next Apple WiFi..

I am curious about Apple support for 802.11ac "Wave 2" technology.
My understanding is that a "wave 2" 802.11ac supports "multi-user MIMO access points".

For the iPad Pro 10.5 coming out this Fall I see the WiFi spec as "802.11ac dual band; HT80 with MIMO".
The latest MacBook Pro (June 2017) shows just "802.11ac".
Both products come with backwards compatibility for a/b/g/n (of course).

So the new iPad Pro 10.5 has WiFi features that the MacBook Pro does not? ("dual band", and "HT80 with MIMO"). Is any of this "wave 2".

 

[Stefan johansson]

What is the state of the art with Apple Wifi in regards to MacBook Pro? I am upgrading my router and want to be ready for the next Apple WiFi..

I am curious about Apple support for 802.11ac "Wave 2" technology.
My understanding is that a "wave 2" 802.11ac supports "multi-user MIMO access points".

For the iPad Pro 10.5 coming out this Fall I see the WiFi spec as "802.11ac dual band; HT80 with MIMO".
The latest MacBook Pro (June 2017) shows just "802.11ac".
Both products come with backwards compatibility for a/b/g/n (of course).

So the new iPad Pro 10.5 has WiFi features that the MacBook Pro does not? ("dual band", and "HT80 with MIMO"). Is any of this "wave 2".

Connection will not be a problem. The dual band feature has been standard spec for most routers for a few years,and it only means that your device can connect to wifi with two different frequencies. HT80 and MIMO are just wifi encryption protocols. When this vawe 2 as you call it become standard,both protocols will exist side by side for 3-4 years or more,but as there is no such thing available,the only thing you can do to get better wifi in your network will be:
A router with more internet cache
A router with better range
A wifi repeater to extend wifi range

 

[Fishrrman]

Clave wrote:
"What is the state of the art with Apple Wifi in regards to MacBook Pro? I am upgrading my router and want to be ready for the next Apple WiFi.."

Apple appears to have all-but exited the "wifi" business.
They've discontinued the Airport development team, and haven't introduced a New Airport in about 3 years now.

"State-of-the-art"?
Perhaps you ought to start investigating the new "mesh" systems out there.
There are several on the market, even more coming soon.

 

[ClaveMan]

The state of the art for WiFi (from Linksys) is..

"Multi-user, multiple-input, multiple-output technology—better known as MU-MIMO. (a.k.a. Next-Gen AC or AC Wave 2).

If there is one thing we know about Apple, it is they are very progressive with all kinds of technology -- especially mobile. So, I am just trying to reconcile the buffet of super WiFi routers out there with reality. No one makes a mobile device with MU-MIMO today. You can bet Apple will do it first. I'm just trying to future proof for my next Apple toy.

You can buy any of a dozen [client less] "MU-MIMO" routers though today. NETGEAR is selling an insane $450, tri-band 802.11ad router called the "Nighthawk X10". The third band (for 802.11ad) is useless -- it can only talk to -- another Nighthawk X10 (up to 30 feet away at 7Gbps). My understanding is that 802.11ad is used when you really can't run an ethernet wire (maybe through a submarine bulkhead?). Again, I'm rambling, the point is router tech is way out in front of mobile device tech.