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

For me, or atleast a while ago (I haven't checked after I updated) I could be in another room as the router during start up, but after I connected I could go into the other room but signal would be 2-3 bars.

Other then that, I usually lose connection when I let it sleep but thats not a huge problem for me becuase it'll connect after a little while of waking up.
 
FWIW I was a bit disappointed too with the signal strength of my new penryn 2.5 macbook pro. I'm only sitting like 10 feet away from my router and istumbler is only showing 65% signal strength. Meanwhile I get 100% signal strength from my sony PSP from the same distance.
 
We have several notebooks in this appartement and we have tested how good the reception is on the different machines.

It turns out that the 15-inch 2.2GHz MBP wins with a MB 2.GHz close to as good reception. Way worse than these the 17-inch 2.33GHz MBP comes, it seems like this computer has a lot less range than the 2.0 MB and 2.2 MBP. The 17-incher is also slightly worse than my old 12-inch PB!
 
I always get a full 4 bars out of my MBP. The same as I was getting with my Blackbook. To me the speed has not changed one bit.
 
My MBP is about 28' from my AT&T wireless DSL modem.... it's in the next room, half the time with the door closed. I always have maximum signal strength and great performance. 😎
 
I didn't have such a good signal on my PB, but when I purchased my MBP, I have not had any connectivity/signal issues. My D-Link router is in the basement, and I mainly use the MBP in my room (2 floors above where router is).
 
Side by side, I had an IBM thinkpad and a MBP. Thinkpad kicked the MBP's butt (Thinkpad could connect to some neighbor's unsecured wireless, MBP didnt even see it).
 
No complaints here, I get just as much if not more than my roomates with their XPS desktops.

If you really want get some range without spending too much money pick up an Alfa USB(also works great with BT3).
 
Bobioden said:
I always get a full 4 bars out of my MBP. The same as I was getting with my Blackbook. To me the speed has not changed one bit.
Click to expand...

The bars are not really useful for determining signal strength. I notice that I maintain all 4 bars until the signal is just about ready to drop. Then near the limit of range it drops pretty quickly to 1 or 2 bars then 0.

For example: at 54 mbps I have 4 bars. At 36mbps I have 4 bars, at 18mbps I still have 4 bars. Bars don't start to go away until the WiFi speed drops to around 8-11 mbps.

AP grapher is a nice free app for measuring wireless performance more reliably if you are interested. You can download it from Apple.
 
Hmmm...

Echinda said:
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.
Click to expand...

BUt it's okay to connect wirelessly? Hmmm...
 
I'm really glad this thread came up... I have a 2.4 SR 15" MBP and I have ALOT of WiFi problems... I have a Belkin N1 router with 3 antennas and it's basically located on my brother's room, which is like 15 meters away or so from where my MBP is standing... I used to get full signal but when I go to my bed with it which is only a difference of about 2 meters it harshly degrades the signal, going from full to 1 bar and constant disconnects... Now for some reason in my desk where it used to get full bars it's always getting 3 or 2 bars... I don't understand the reason why... I have Vista installed because I'm going to play Age Of Conan, and right now I'm downloading some patches... and signal strength in Vista is 2 bars , 3 tops... while downloading the patches it's downloading at a 200kb/s rate.. I put my hand on top of the MBP and it goes down to like 10kb/s or turn on the bluetooth mouse and same thing happens, any person comes to my door and the signal declines to nothing... what the hell is this?!? I paid 2200euros for this?!?

Edit: I forgot to add, my GF's white MB works flawlessly ANYWHERE on the house though...
 
I've never had a problem with the wireless on my MBP and its a lot better than any PC i've ever used..In fact, it usually picks up networks that i never knew were near by..

MBP wireless= tumbs up!
 
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