TomA2 Posted December 10, 2006 Share Posted December 10, 2006 As most people know, all of the new Macs come with a (disabled) 802.11n card. Is anyone working on a driver to enable this card? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adrian Fogge Posted December 10, 2006 Share Posted December 10, 2006 For the most part, that would be a no. It requires an updated driver to utilize the 802.11n functionality, one that does not currently exist under OS X. Windows and Linux can use it as an 802.11n card through using a standard Atheros AR5008 Chipset Driver, but at the moment no one has written (rather published) one of these for OS X. Sorry. Just wait for MacWorld and you should get it along with iTV. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rollcage Posted December 10, 2006 Share Posted December 10, 2006 since the 802.11n standard wasn't final when apple released those cards, isn't there a good chance that they won't work with routers when everything is sorted out? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dark4181 Posted December 11, 2006 Share Posted December 11, 2006 802.11n STILL isn't standard. it won't be until late 2007... you're wasting your time and your money with the draft-n cards. they may or may not be upgradeable to final spec Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mac-mini Posted December 12, 2006 Share Posted December 12, 2006 i thought for draft g cards it was a firmware update to get it final so it should be she same for n Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mac and Cheese Posted December 14, 2006 Share Posted December 14, 2006 Everyone is right... but does it matter? The new Airport WILL work with every Airport equiped Mac, period. If you buy a draft switch or router it will work if Apple uses the draft spec, which they will because (imo) they will not wait until the end of 2007 for the final spec to release the iTV. Once the spec is finalized they may release an update for Airport and Airport cards. If you need to work with a draft device that will not be compatible with the final spec, then do not apply the firmware update to your Airport and Airport card(s). This is very simple. If I am wrong and Apple waits for the final spec than this will not be an issue for discussion.... My 2 Cents Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GBK.Xscape Posted December 14, 2006 Share Posted December 14, 2006 (edited) haha i didint even know they werent working in mac side. i have bootcamp and it should work there if i am correct. well hopefully they wont wait to activate becuase then it will be anotheer year before it happens. i was planning on buying a draft n router but now i might wait. and if they come out with an airport express that is 802.11n and that lasts longer than 2 years. alot of people's airport expresses burn out after a year or two. that is too much to spend for something that will break. Edited December 14, 2006 by GBK.Xscape Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomA2 Posted December 22, 2006 Author Share Posted December 22, 2006 802.11n STILL isn't standard. it won't be until late 2007... you're wasting your time and your money with the draft-n cards. they may or may not be upgradeable to final spec WRONG. If you have a draft n card and a draft n router, you're set. I mainly want the speed at home. I'm plugged in at work and everywhere else that already has g will stay at g for the foreseeable future. Now I just need an Apple driver. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GBK.Xscape Posted December 22, 2006 Share Posted December 22, 2006 WORNG. TomA2 stop being such a {censored} and know what you are talking about dark4181 knows what he is talking about. it isnt STANDARD. that is why it is DRAFT N. sure if you have a draft N router then it will work but no one knows if it can be upgraded to the final specs of N when it becomes standard in 2007. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fireshark Posted December 22, 2006 Share Posted December 22, 2006 Draft N is exactly what it proclaims to be, a draft. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomA2 Posted December 25, 2006 Author Share Posted December 25, 2006 (edited) Sorry, but you are both WRONG. He said: "you're wasting your time and your money with the draft-n cards" like they are going to expire or something. If your draft n card is working with your draft n router NOW, they will continue to work with each other IN THE FUTURE regardless of what is adopted, or even if NOTHING is adopted. Edited December 25, 2006 by TomA2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jgrimes80 Posted December 25, 2006 Share Posted December 25, 2006 I think it's very safe to argue that too many companies are too invested in "Draft - n" to drastically change anything or to scrap it all together. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dark4181 Posted December 25, 2006 Share Posted December 25, 2006 Sorry, but you are both WRONG. He said: "you're wasting your time and your money with the draft-n cards" like they are going to expire or something. If your draft n card is working with your draft n router NOW, they will continue to work with each other IN THE FUTURE regardless of what is adopted, or even if NOTHING is adopted. some of the draft n cards can't be upgraded to final spec. that makes them a waste of time and money Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomA2 Posted January 4, 2007 Author Share Posted January 4, 2007 some of the draft n cards can't be upgraded to final spec. that makes them a waste of time and money No that makes it YOUR OPINION. If you have a draft-n card and a draft-n router that ALREADY WORK, they will continue to work with each other REGARDLESS of the final spec. DUH. Why that is difficult for you to comprehend is beyond me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cloudstrife252 Posted January 4, 2007 Share Posted January 4, 2007 YEAS Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest bikedude880 Posted January 4, 2007 Share Posted January 4, 2007 No that makes it YOUR OPINION. If you have a draft-n card and a draft-n router that ALREADY WORK, they will continue to work with each other REGARDLESS of the final spec. DUH. Why that is difficult for you to comprehend is beyond me. You are correct about products that are compatible with each other today, no question about that. What he is trying to say is that what you buy today may or may not work with the final revision of the 802.11N specification and that it is better to hold off on this if you want to have future compatibility. It's like playing Russian roulette right now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomA2 Posted January 7, 2007 Author Share Posted January 7, 2007 You are correct about products that are compatible with each other today, no question about that. What he is trying to say is that what you buy today may or may not work with the final revision of the 802.11N specification and that it is better to hold off on this if you want to have future compatibility. It's like playing Russian roulette right now. He said that because they might not be able to be upgraded that they are a waste of money. That's incorrect. Some people could care less. Put it this way--where do I use the internet? 1. Home - This is the main place that I am looking for increased range and speed. I have a draft-n card and router. If they work together now they always will--regardless of what the final revision is--or even if there is NEVER a final revision. 2. Work - I plug into a wired network. Card upgradeability is a moot point. 3. Hong Kong/Shanghai - Most installs are 802.11b. (See: http://www.jiwire.com/browse-hotspot-hong-...ong-2200011.htm ) If I'm lucky, they might upgrade them to g over the next year. Upgradeability to n is meaningless. 4. Elsewhere - There are lots of b and g installs. It will be a LONG time before there are many n-installs. By that time, several years from now, you'll be able to get an n router for $20. In the mean time, I will be running at the highest speeds possible in every location in which I work. So why was it that I should not upgrade to draft-n? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dark4181 Posted January 7, 2007 Share Posted January 7, 2007 No that makes it YOUR OPINION. If you have a draft-n card and a draft-n router that ALREADY WORK, they will continue to work with each other REGARDLESS of the final spec. DUH. Why that is difficult for you to comprehend is beyond me. becuz when i buy an N rated wireless network, i expect it to run at N rated speeds. from what i've heard, most of the draft-n cards only run at G-speeds, and may or may not be upgradeable to N-speeds so why spend N-speed dollars on a G speed router? sounds like a waste of time and money to me.. if i wanted a G-speed router, i'd buy one, not spend extra dollars on a product that isn't any better Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dark4181 Posted January 7, 2007 Share Posted January 7, 2007 He said that because they might not be able to be upgraded that they are a waste of money. That's incorrect. Some people could care less.Put it this way--where do I use the internet? 1. Home - This is the main place that I am looking for increased range and speed. I have a draft-n card and router. If they work together now they always will--regardless of what the final revision is--or even if there is NEVER a final revision. 2. Work - I plug into a wired network. Card upgradeability is a moot point. 3. Hong Kong/Shanghai - Most installs are 802.11b. (See: http://www.jiwire.com/browse-hotspot-hong-...ong-2200011.htm ) If I'm lucky, they might upgrade them to g over the next year. Upgradeability to n is meaningless. 4. Elsewhere - There are lots of b and g installs. It will be a LONG time before there are many n-installs. By that time, several years from now, you'll be able to get an n router for $20. In the mean time, I will be running at the highest speeds possible in every location in which I work. So why was it that I should not upgrade to draft-n? like i said, why spend N-speed dollars for G-speed networking? just buy a wireless-G router and save yourself $100+ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GBK.Xscape Posted January 7, 2007 Share Posted January 7, 2007 does TomA2 have something stuck up his but hole? dam we were just saying that the draft cards may not work with FUTURE N routers but all he cares about is himself and his own dam router and card. and if you are such a genius at this at think that the DRAFT n cards are so awesome then why would developers still be tweaking with the design? so the card will have a bigger range. its based off of MIMO(Multiple In-Multiple Out. that is why it can get such high speeds. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
liquidplasmaflow Posted January 7, 2007 Share Posted January 7, 2007 Why don't you people ignore the practicality of the matter and try to either answer his question or help him out? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lambsporriegetta Posted January 7, 2007 Share Posted January 7, 2007 hear hear!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomA2 Posted January 8, 2007 Author Share Posted January 8, 2007 (edited) does TomA2 have something stuck up his but hole? dam we were just saying that the draft cards may not work with FUTURE N routers but all he cares about is himself and his own dam router and card. and if you are such a genius at this at think that the DRAFT n cards are so awesome then why would developers still be tweaking with the design? so the card will have a bigger range. its based off of MIMO(Multiple In-Multiple Out. that is why it can get such high speeds. Can you just drop it and go away? You've added nothing of importance to the thread. I'd appreciate it if you would not continue to respond here. You are welcome to start your own thread elsewhere and spread your opinions on the evils of draft-n. This is not why the thread was created and you and dark4181 continue to take it off topic. Thank you for your cooperation. Edited January 8, 2007 by TomA2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomA2 Posted January 8, 2007 Author Share Posted January 8, 2007 (edited) what i've heard, most of the draft-n cards only run at G-speeds I get FAR better range with my draft-n router (though not better speeds) with my wireless card running at "g" already. I have tested this by swapping out the draft-n router with a g-router of the same brand. like i said, why spend N-speed dollars for G-speed networking? just buy a wireless-G router and save yourself $100+ Not at home--WHERE I SAID I WANTED THE ADDITIONAL SPEED. Get a clue. Edited January 8, 2007 by TomA2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
roscoe13 Posted January 9, 2007 Share Posted January 9, 2007 According to Apple's website. the following Macs: These Mac computers support 802.11n in the new AirPort Extreme Base Station using the included enabler software: * iMac with Intel Core 2 Duo (except 17-inch, 1.83GHz iMac) * MacBook with Intel Core 2 Duo * MacBook Pro with Intel Core 2 Duo * Mac Pro with AirPort Extreme card option Support draft .n with the new draft .n airport extreme base station and an enable that ships with the base station. So, a driver does now exist... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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