Twelve South BookArc is seriously hurting my WiFi

[Splitbolt]

I've been having trouble with my internet speeds thru WiFi. What I just found out is that the cause is the BookArc that my MBA sits in.

Sitting in the BookArc I was only getting 5-9mbps. Just lifting it slightly out of the BookArc increases it to 15-18mbps. I have the 25mbps plan but the router is a few rooms away.

I tried this over and over and sure enough, it's the BookArc.

Does anyone else have this problem? Do I really have to throw away a $40 product?

 

[keysofanxiety]

I've been having trouble with my internet speeds thru WiFi. What I just found out is that the cause is the BookArc that my MBA sits in.

Sitting in the BookArc I was only getting 8-10mbps. Just lifting it slightly out of the BookArc increases it to 18-20mbps. I have the 25mbps plan but the router is a few rooms away.

I tried this over and over and sure enough, it's the BookArc.

Does anyone else have this problem? Do I really have to throw away a $40 product?

You don't have to throw it away, but you can speak with their support team and get a refund or replacement that doesn't cause the same issues.

 

[Splitbolt]

I've had it for a while so I doubt I'll get a refund. And I also doubt that they make some different type of model that won't cause the same issue. But it's worth a try.

 

[Splitbolt]

You don't have to throw it away, but you can speak with their support team and get a refund or replacement that doesn't cause the same issues.

They said that they never heard of it before and to "ask Apple" lol...

 

[keysofanxiety]

They said that they never heard of it before and to "ask Apple" lol...

What an absolute crock of ****, if your Wi-Fi speeds plummet when it's in a certain dock and in no other situation, you don't have to be a genius to figure out what's going on. How long ago did you purchase it, and from which retailer? Which country do you reside in?

 

[motrek]

What an absolute crock of ****, if your Wi-Fi speeds plummet when it's in a certain dock and in no other situation, you don't have to be a genius to figure out what's going on. How long ago did you purchase it, and from which retailer? Which country do you reside in?

It's possible that the dock is the problem, but the behavior of radio waves from antennas can be difficult to predict. The act of moving the laptop a few inches or changing its angle can have an impact on performance depending on whatever metal, etc. might be in the nearby walls, floors, furniture, etc. Just the act of holding the laptop (as you probably are when you lift it out of the stand) could improve reception the same way that holding a TV antenna can clear up the signal.

I would suggest elevating the stand and/or changing its angle and see if you can get better reception that way.

 

[Splitbolt]

It's possible that the dock is the problem, but the behavior of radio waves from antennas can be difficult to predict. The act of moving the laptop a few inches or changing its angle can have an impact on performance depending on whatever metal, etc. might be in the nearby walls, floors, furniture, etc. Just the act of holding the laptop (as you probably are when you lift it out of the stand) could improve reception the same way that holding a TV antenna can clear up the signal.

I would suggest elevating the stand and/or changing its angle and see if you can get better reception that way.

It wasn't only when I held it.

When it was open on the desk, when it was closed on the desk, when it was leaning up agains the wall in the same orientation as the BookArc holds it, and when it was being held an inch above the BookArc it always gave the same exact speed. The only time the speed was different was when it was placed into the BookArc.

Now it doesn't matter because I moved the router much closer and the speed tests are all the same now.

 

[dwig]

Two things to try:

1. Invert the MB so that the hinge is at the top instead of the bottom. This may preposition the MB's antenna enough to restore some of the WiFi speed. Cable placement won't be as nice, but it's at least a simple test.
   
2. Contact the manufacturer and see if they have solutions or would possibly exchange it for the "Möd" version which is wood instead of metal and shouldn't interfere with the WiFi radio signals.

 

[gmccj]

Two things to try:

1. Invert the MB so that the hinge is at the top instead of the bottom. This may preposition the MB's antenna enough to restore some of the WiFi speed. Cable placement won't be as nice, but it's at least a simple test.
   
2. Contact the manufacturer and see if they have solutions or would possibly exchange it for the "Möd" version which is wood instead of metal and shouldn't interfere with the WiFi radio signals.

 

[gmccj]

I had the same problem but inverting the MBP with the hinge up and away from the aluminum base seemed to be the answer.