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Waiting for WiFi6?

B

BenLeong

macrumors regular
Original poster
Mar 31, 2010
146
224
Seattle
I currently have an early 2011 MBP that's been in need of replacement for quite some time. It's holding on, barely, and I think I can make it last until the Spring update/upgrades to the new/current 16". It seems pretty inevitable that the 2020 16" will have WiFi6, since iPhone 11 has it... so should I wait? Is the future truly WiFi6? Seems like it is, and that if I can wait until the spring, I probably should, rather than spend a fortune on outdated wireless tech... right?

Thoughts?
 
It depends how you use your wifi. For most people the difference between wifi5 and wifi6 will be negligible. It depends how Apple implement it, but it’s not going to be huge for most people.
 
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BenLeong said:
wireless tech... right?
Click to expand...
What does Wifi6 give you that you don't have now?

I suspect that you, like many people won't need wifi6. If you need a computer now, buy one now. if you can wait then wait
 
if you want wifi6 on the 16" you have to wait until late 2020 or 2021 for Intel to ship 45W 10nm wifi6 built in
 
Once high-performance WiFi-6 modules for laptops will appear, it would be a nice thing to have, even though I am not sure of an immediate benefit to the user today (unless you have high-speed file transfers going on over your wireless). Current WiFi-5 implementation in a MBP is on par or faster than any other shipping WiFi-6 laptop, so you are not losing anything.

As to waiting... what is the point even? What is it you do that WiFi-6 will have such a profound impact on your experience? My ac setup is already able to pretty much saturate my gigabit internet connection and timid machine backups to my nas are already as fast as my RAID setup can handle.
 
BenLeong said:
I currently have an early 2011 MBP that's been in need of replacement for quite some time. It's holding on, barely, and I think I can make it last until the Spring update/upgrades to the new/current 16". It seems pretty inevitable that the 2020 16" will have WiFi6, since iPhone 11 has it... so should I wait? Is the future truly WiFi6? Seems like it is, and that if I can wait until the spring, I probably should, rather than spend a fortune on outdated wireless tech... right?

Thoughts?
Click to expand...

Unless you have a very specific requirement for you usage (plus an infrastructure that can support it) I wouldn't worry about it. Its not uncommon for my Mac to jump onto Wifi 4 (N) 2.4ghz occasionally without me noticing any change in performance unless I'm doing a VERY specific task such as moving a 20+ gb file across the network.

It will be years before the current Wifi 6 implementations reach maximum utilization of the standard. In that time we will likely see updates to the standard as well (example Wifi 5 (AC) legacy Wave 1 released in 2013 and Wave 2 released in 2016). We will most certainly see improvements in the hardware with the advancements in the technology as the standard matures as well.

"Outdated wireless tech" isn't something to worry about. By that logic you've been using outdated wireless tech in your MBP since 2009 considering the wireless bluetooth tech is 2.1 + EDR in your MBP while 3.0 was available from 2009 and 4.0 from 2010. Also many devices, such as smart home devices don't use newer wireless standards due to (but not limited too) cost, wall/obstacle penetration, low bandwidth requirements. For example a smart outlet doesn't need wifi 5 (AC) and would mostly be an unnecessary expense offering nothing/little in return.

If it really concerns you remember the MBP has TB3 which is essentially a PCI-E slot in plug form. There will eventually be (if there isn't already?) TB3/USBC Wifi 6 (AX) adaptors. While not the prettiest solution, a solution none the less.

Good luck with your decision!
 
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I needed a new laptop today so went and bought the 16" base for virtualisation.

I have a Wi Fi Router 6 at home but don't really care since I already have gigabit at home.
 
JGRE said:
Speed, range and reliability
Click to expand...
Thats only helpful if your ISP provides speed and if you need the range. I'M not down in wifi6 but it's not the latest thing since sliced Brad.

People here have really been getting worked up and the benefits can limited especially if you use a mesh network the promise of wifi 6 is a bit muted
 
Remember both ends of the conversation need to support 802.11ax (marketed as Wifi6). So your Access Point (or router if it has wifi Access Point built in) has to support 802.11ax and the client (phone, computer, or tablets). So you should check that what you have support 802.11ax.

Also to get the full enhanced throughput your region's needs to support wifi frequencies beyond the standard 2.4 Ghz and 5GHz bands in the 1Ghz to 6 Ghz range. This requires various government approvals. So a lot of pieces need to be in place.
 
Thanks for all your input—super helpful.

To answer the question a lot of you had for me: my use would include a lot of public access point usage, as I tend to work away from home a lot(coffee shops, airports, etc). From the little I understood about WiFi6, it seemed like having it would be a great thing if I’m constantly sharing public WiFi... but I also don’t have a complete understanding on the whole thing.
 
BenLeong said:
From the little I understood about WiFi6, it seemed like having it would be a great thing if I’m constantly sharing public WiFi...
Click to expand...

As commended earlier, also required the router to be upgraded. Stuff like public wifi tends to take forever to get upgraded , as cost is high buy ROI low.

also usually the internet link is the big issue on public wifi, not so much your connection to the router.

Always exceptions of course , but holiding off on a MacBook purchase , just so theoretically in the future one day you can use public wifi on wifi 6 and get some theoretical improvement in range doesn’t sound like it makes much sense
 
matram said:
What are you looking for? Already WiFi 5 is capable of beyond 1 Gbps in transfer speed. That is more than what my ISP can deliver.
Click to expand...

Nah, I got 1 gbit connection, on Wifi5 I can only get around 500+ speed. Though I think that’s enough for most tasks.
 
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