MacFixit is reporting that many readers have been experiencing less than stellar AirPort wireless reception in the new Core 2 Duo MacBook Pros, possibly related to the chipset used in the corresponding routers. I thought I might help spread details even further by asking MacUser readers what their experience has been with the AirPort in the new models.
Wireless reception seems to be a real problem with later Apple laptops, most notably those encased in metal — from the TiBook up through the current MacBook Pro. Even my own trusty PowerBook G4 gets three out of four AirPort bars when in a room directly beside the one where my WRT54G router resides, whereas my other computers achieve “Excellent” signal strength. Is this a sign that we should be moving away from metal enclosures instead of towards them?
[AirPort poster via MacDesktops]
i wish i had a new macbook pro to comment on. i do have a 1.5ghz g4 powerbook though and have no problems with signal. i usually use my machine in my living room and my linksys router is hooked up to my desktop in my bedroom and i get full signal. might be something else causing lower signal in yours.
I have a MacBook Pro Core Duo (older model, not the 2) and my wife has a Macbook. Sitting next to each other in a condo with a poor wifi reception, she was usually able to connect to the Internet while I couldn't. Despite the many other benefits of the Pro, for the price difference the reception should be at least as good!
I have a 2.33GHz 15" C2D MBP and a 1.25GHz 15" G4 PB (Aluminum). There is no question that the reception is better on the MBP than on the PB, but neither is as good as the ancient G3 iBook that I borrow from time to time. Gave me a good excuse to buy an AirPort Express, though ;)
My Dell laptop from work always picks up a couple of wifi networks, even when my aluminium powerbook doesn't find any.
i have a powerbook G4 1.5 and my roommate has an iBook G4 1.0 and sitting side by side in my room (the router is in the living room) he gets full signal while i don't...
I have a 1Ghz G4 17 inch Powerbook and black Macbook and havn't had any reception problems with either. My Aluminum Powerbook always got excellent reception compared to a friend's earlier Titanium Powerbook (my aluminum Powerbook never scratched either, but that's a different article).
I just got my c2d mbp Sunday, and so far I notice no difference in signal from my old ibook when connected to my wireless router. I even pick up more networks that my neighbors have left open.
When I place my 17" MacBook Pro (Core Duo) next to my father's Macbook, the Macbook can pick up our neighbors' WiFi with full bars. My MBP, on the other hand, cannot get any signal.
When I have my MacBook in my bedroom, I can pick up about a dozen wifi locations. I don't know how much the mbp will get, but a dozen is a hell of a lot of wifi locations
When I'm traveling home on the London to Brighton train line from Victoria with my Macbook, I can pick up soo many WiFi networks it's scary. The list goes out the blinkin network window.