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Macbook Pro's have a wifi switch?
- Thread starter Skuman
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What's the point anyway? If you switch Airport off in the menu bar, it doesn't use the wifi card anyway no?
And thus saves power.
Also, there are times where the use might want to disconnect from the network, temporally.
Thanks for the replies. Looks like I won't be buying a Mac
Your OP said you needed to turn off wifi. With that confirmed, you now say you won't need the Mac - with the feature you requested.
Confused.
Thanks for the replies. Looks like I won't be buying a Mac
Because of the lack of a wifi switch?
Thanks for the replies. Looks like I won't be buying a Mac
I'm guessing you work at a secure facility? Bugger eh?
A lot of people at such facilities have all sorts of issues like that - they want the new cool gadgets but they can't take them or use them at work.
Thanks for the replies. Looks like I won't be buying a Mac
Here is the wifi switch, Apple calls it "Turn AirPort Off/On":
There is no hardware switch like with other Windows and Linux laptops.
Thanks for the replies. Looks like I won't be buying a Mac
boy oh boy, that must be one serious problem. Your going to pass up a beautiful machine over not having the convenience of a on/off switch for your wifi?
What do you mean by this?
Why is a hardware switch so different and a mandated option at some workplaces?
Easier disabling of Wifi and securing that it stays off? How?
He could always setup a keyboard shortcut to do that. He could even install some 3rd party software at home before he goes to work, so that way when he gets to work then there you go, hit a key and it's off.
Only workaround then would be taking out the airport card and using either a USB WiFi stick (or a WiFi ExpressCard on the 17") whenever needed.
What do you mean? I don't know this bloke, I don't work for the fictitious company I made up, I don't make up the rules.
I am simply saying that his work may mandate a physical hardware switch.
What an odd question to ask....
Because that is just sometimes how policy, be it purchasing or security or whatever, gets written. It is just how some things roll.
My best guess is that a hardware switch can turn the wifi card off before the computer has had a chance to boot into the OS environment, therefore minimising the chance of a wifi connection being exploited.
I'm just unsure what the difference between a hardware and a software switch might be. You answer implied some knowledge on your end, so that's why I asked my odd question. Now it doesn't seem like it, so forget about it.
It was just my ignorant mind that wanted to obtain some knowledge.
Why? What is the advantage of a physical switch? Can't it be circumvented anyway?
If you turn the wi-fi off in OS X it stays off until you turn it back on again. It doesn't turn itself back on again when you re-boot.
Maybe I should send Steve an email, and see if he's planning for one to be added?
You can try but Steve is very straight forward in his emails. Don't be surprised if you get an email back saying:
"No
Sent from my iPhone"
Can you get a Mac Pro without airport (wifi) installed and use an external wifi dongle as the required "physical switch"?