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New Mac Pro with Wi-Fi? Why?

J

Just sayin...

macrumors 6502
Original poster
Jan 8, 2008
404
640
I've noticed that several purchasers of new Mac Pro's are going with Wi-Fi as a configuration option. Given the Mac Pro has built-in GB ethernet, why are you ordering Wi-Fi? Am I missing something here beyond the obvious wireless capability?

I routinely transfer multi GB groups of files around, and GB ethernet is a lifesaver for me.

M
 
not everyone does.

I'm planning to get it and have it in a room that is on the otherside of my house to the ethernet box/modem. WiFi is my only option without running 100m of cable through the house.
 
Placement.

For me, it would be nice so that I don't have to have a cable running from my living room to my bedroom where my cable modem is. Location location location...;)
 
I've had Wifi on my desktops since my DA G4. It hasn't always been useful, but when I've needed it it has been a lifesaver. $45 is a small price to pay.
 
I like to sync things without wires between laptop and Mac Pro. Fewer wires is better for me!
 
We're getting wifi to stream media to airport express boxes, squeezebox, and share wireless access with our laptops. The MP will be wired but the wireless connectivity is useful.
 
I only have WIFI deployed in my apartment for the sake of mobility, nothing like sitting with my MacBook Pro on the couch. As this purchase was for my home and I did not feel like having cables running around the floor, I went for the AirPort Extreme option.

If it were in the office, sure, wires is the way to go :)
 
Just sayin... said:
I've noticed that several purchasers of new Mac Pro's are going with Wi-Fi as a configuration option. Given the Mac Pro has built-in GB ethernet, why are you ordering Wi-Fi? Am I missing something here beyond the obvious wireless capability?
Click to expand...
It's a $50 option BTO, and hard to install later. As a percentage of the $2800 base price, it's nothing -- less than 2% of the purchase price of the MINIMUM Mac Pro. For a computer you'll be using for 2-4 years, you'd be crazy NOT to pay that to maximize your options.
 
I use the WiFi to connect wirelessly with clients' laptops for small file dumps. I also occasionally take my setup onsite to work with clients and they can't always supply me with an Ethernet drop.
 
Aren't the N cards rated for something like 800 Mbps anyways? that's pretty close to Gig-E and in my opinion worth the wireless ease. Even Wireless G, at 54 Mbps isn't that slow.

If you have a Mac Pro and basically any other Core 2 Duo mac in the house, you'll likely have N to N connection everywhere. I see it as a major plus.
 
SuperCompu2 said:
Aren't the N cards rated for something like 800 Mbps anyways? that's pretty close to Gig-E and in my opinion worth the wireless ease. Even Wireless G, at 54 Mbps isn't that slow.

If you have a Mac Pro and basically any other Core 2 Duo mac in the house, you'll likely have N to N connection everywhere. I see it as a major plus.
Click to expand...

No, they have a max 220Mbps connection, and that's never reached in the real world. About the max you can expect is between 50 and 70Mbps, and that's in close proximity to the 802.11n router in question.
 
I'll be going wired for now, but if I ever decide to move the machine I'll have the flexibility of going wireless. And $50 seemed like a small price to pay for the convenience.
 
As others have mentioned, even though the Mac Pro is a "workstation," it's still nice to have a little fun. When I upgrade next year (Nehalem all the way, baby) without wireless I wouldn't be able to stream music to the Airport Express connected to the stereo on our porch. That said, I usually go through the trouble of running cable to connect to my home router "just because."
 
My MacPro is in my office on the second floor of the house, my router is in one of my daughter's bedrooms on the first floor - my wife's iMac is in the living room as is the wireless printer and my iphone gets a strong WiFi signal everywhere in the house.

Much as I'd like the speed and reliability of a wired connection until I physically network the whole house it's too much hassle.
 
For me it's for flexibility purposes. It's only something like $40 or so more but it gives me the option to go wired or wireless as need be.
 
Hmac said:
It's a $50 option BTO, and hard to install later. As a percentage of the $2800 base price, it's nothing -- less than 2% of the purchase price of the MINIMUM Mac Pro.
Click to expand...

Ditto.

I'd rather have it and not need it versus need it and not have it.

Also, I'm going to move my Mac to a different bedroom in the next month or so. I'm debating whether to run Cat 6 to this room or not. Having the wireless card in the Mac gives me more options.
 
Without wi-fi I wouldn't have an internet connection. I live in a three storey victorian house and we have an office downstairs at the back of the house and my MP on the first floor.

I would LOVE to run gig-E thorughout the house but
a) it's not my house
and
b) it would be difficult

As it is because of the construction of the house (thick walls etc) we have to have one airport extreme (not 'n') in the kitchen connected to the cable modem, an airport express in the dining room to extend the signal, an airport extreme (not 'n') on the first landing to extend the signal and another express in my room, again to extend the signal.

Needless to say I am not impressed with the range of 802.11g. We have a 20Mbps cable modem connection and I daresay most of the time I never see half of that.

Ooh now look you've started me on a rant lol
 
Hmac said:
It's a $50 option BTO, and hard to install later. As a percentage of the $2800 base price, it's nothing -- less than 2% of the purchase price of the MINIMUM Mac Pro. For a computer you'll be using for 2-4 years, you'd be crazy NOT to pay that to maximize your options.
Click to expand...

It's not hard with patience, and good lighting.

Ignore the cables labeled BT and #1. Plug cable #2 on the top and cable #3 on the bottom.

Unless the wiring is different for the new MPs. It should be a 15-20 minute job.

Albeit, I agree... BTO is better if you plan ahead.

Cheers.
 
Hmm. I think a few folks didn't read the OPs post.

I use WiFi on my MacPro to share my internet connection with a laptop that I frequently use in conjunction with it. The Powerbook and the MacPro both have Gigabit, but I couldn't get significantly better speeds with a wired connection. Still not sure why. Since my desktop is a wired machine it is nice to be able to use it to create a local wireless network. Pretty slick.
 
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