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So, how bad is the Wi-Fi on the MBP's?

R

Ranchdip

macrumors member
Original poster
I've been reading a lot of complaints here about wi-fi connections and lower receptions on the MBP's.

Is that true for everyone here or is it just isolated cases?
 
I think it really all depends on the strength of the WAP's you are connecting to, not so much the MBP
 
It's good, but MacBook is substantially better from reader reports.

For best performance use GigE cable
 
No complaints here. Gets better signal in remote parts of the house than my windows laptop. My router is the latest Airport Extreme with n-wireless.
 
I read all these threads about WiFi problems and I have never had an issue.

Just remember, though, most people who have no issues aren't going to search for help on how not to fix something.
 
Side by side, 2 of my friends' MBPs get about 1/3 less signal strength than my MB and the MB detects more of the networks in the area. These are REV A core duo MBPs though. Don't know if Apple has improved the situation for the current models.
 
Is there a really good wifi antennae that can "plug" ... somehow ... into the MBP? I'm at the absolute extreme end of the range of our wifi router at work so I can barely get a signal. Unfortunately, our security policy forbids me from plugging a personal laptop into the LAN so whenever I want to transfer files I have to move floors so I can get reception or dig out a thumbdrive. Anything that could give me an extra bit of signal boost would be great.
 
mines excellent, i been connected to a few wirless points with distances ranging from really close and pretty far and i always get 4 bars and 3 bars when its far away
 
Since I bought a Airport Extreme Base Station back in January, I have not had one problem with the WiFi. I can go anywhere in the house, upstairs, downstairs, outside, sitting in the car at the curb, and get my WiFi signal.

It's all gonna depend on how good your router is.
 
Thanks for clarifying this. I was getting a little concerned. My wife let me buy this MBP because she wants to surf the net from the kitchen. 😀 I gotta take care of momma first. 😀
However, it will be used as a mobile recording setup and a video editing machine when not used as a web/gaming computer.
 
not true
MBP does have WIFI problems.
this is when i'm comparing between a MBP and a macbook in the same classroom

I think it is because the MBP is aluminum, and the macbook is made from plastic, and plastic > aluminum in terms of wifi connection.
 
I am glad to hear that many of the posters are having, at least, pretty good success with their wireless signal on the MBPs. The poster who stated that people who's equipment works usually don't come to these forums to talk about how well their system works is quite correct. But that doesn't stop me from seeing the occasional posting regarding signal issues and getting concerned. It's good to hear several responses from the other end of the spectrum.
 
Ranchdip said:
Thanks for clarifying this. I was getting a little concerned. My wife let me buy this MBP because she wants to surf the net from the kitchen. 😀 I gotta take care of momma first. 😀
However, it will be used as a mobile recording setup and a video editing machine when not used as a web/gaming computer.
Click to expand...

My MBP lives in the kitchen because that's where we live. Never a problem with AirPort connecting to the AirPort Extreme upstairs or the one downstairs enabling AirTunes.
 
Another thing to point out:

Your WiFi signal will only be as good as your router. Before I got my Airport Extreme Base Station, I had a Linksys router. That thing was a piece of junk. When I would go to the next room, my MBP would lose the signal, same with my iPhone. I could occasionally get the signal in the room directly above the router upstairs. Outside, forget it. My Airport Extreme has been worth every penny.
 
Ranchdip said:
I've been reading a lot of complaints here about wi-fi connections and lower receptions on the MBP's.

Is that true for everyone here or is it just isolated cases?
Click to expand...

Mine is quite fine. I was in a tower in PHX, near a window and I got free wifi from across the street. And it is fine at home, perfect.
 
hexonxonx said:
Another thing to point out:

Your WiFi signal will only be as good as your router. Before I got my Airport Extreme Base Station, I had a Linksys router. That thing was a piece of junk. When I would go to the next room, my MBP would lose the signal, same with my iPhone. I could occasionally get the signal in the room directly above the router upstairs. Outside, forget it. My Airport Extreme has been worth every penny.
Click to expand...

You're right that a good router can make a difference, but my experience has shown that side by side, the plastic MB gets better reception than the aluminium MBP. The fact that other MBP owners don't have problems getting a good signal, does not dismiss that the aluminum cases reduce reception.

Once again yesterday a friend's plastic PeeC was getting nearly twice the reception of the MBP next to it.

There must to be a way for Apple to increase the reception on the MBPs.
 
The problem isn't the reception it's the Noise level. I'm running Istumbler on my MBP and G4 Ibook. The MBP has a noise level of about 17-18% on all networks found, but my Ibook has a reading of ZERO for noise. MBP does however get about double the signal strength over the IB. It does seem though that the reception comes and goes, one minute it's full bars then it's two or one.😕
I'll have to keep an eye on it and recheck my Linksys 350n settings.
Fyi I have the 350n set for G; only as a test though.
 
Great WiFi here

My new MBP (Penryn) gets excellent reception. I had no idea until I got it that there are 10 different wireless networks within range of this house. My previous laptop only saw two of them.
 
Just got my new MBP today, and the range and speed seem to be fine on the wireless card in it. I'm using a DLink Gaming Router as my WAP...
 
So in os 10.5.2 where can I see my connection strength or bars? I've tried looking in network utilities and airport utility doesn't show anything, it says to rescan becuase it can't find any devices.
 
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