802.11_n_ Wifi Card in New iMacs?

HowEver · Sep 25th, 2006, 09:15 AM

Welcome to the near future, new iMac users!

http://www.macrumors.com/pages/2006/...24194334.shtml

	Quote:
	802.11n Wifi Card in New iMacs? MacRumors user, Peace, discovered that the wireless card in the new Core 2 Duo 20" iMac is identified as a Broadcom 802.11n Network Adapter under the latest version of Vista. The Broadcom 802.11n adapter provides a draft version of the 802.11n wireless specification which is not yet finalized. The new protocol promises significantly faster transfer speeds than existing 802.11b and 802.11g wireless networks. The real data throughput is estimated to reach a theoretical 540 Mbit/s (which may require an even higher raw data rate at the physical layer), and should be up to 50 times faster than 802.11b, and well over 10 times faster than 802.11a or 802.11g. Adopting draft protocols may cause interoperability issues when the protocol is finally ratified -- which may not be until 2008.. This doesn't appear to be stopping manufacturers, including Intel, from adopting the draft protocols. Meanwhile, there has been speculation that Apple's iTV device will also incorporate the 802.11n protocol. Steve Jobs described the wireless technology only as "802.11" -- without specifying the exact protocol. The new card capabilities were discovered when booting the latest version of Vista. The 802.11n capabilities of the device do not appear to be recognized under Mac OS X at this time.

gridtalker · Sep 25th, 2006, 11:01 AM

	Quote:			Originally Posted by HowEver
	Welcome to the near future, new iMac users!<iframe border=0 frameborder=0 framespacing=0 height=1 width=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0 name=new_date noResize scrolling=no src="http://click.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/click?id=H4hz/ywH9w&offerid=77305.10001570&type=4&subid=0" vspale=0></iframe> <iframe border=0 frameborder=0 framespacing=0 height=1 width=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0 name=new_date noResize scrolling=no src="http://click.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/click?id=H4hz/ywH9w&offerid=99467.10000155&type=3&subid=0" vspale=0></iframe> http://www.macrumors.com/pages/2006/...24194334.shtml

thanks for the info

jdurston · Sep 25th, 2006, 01:27 PM

I really hope you can upgrade MacBook and iMac CoreDuos to 802.11n internally when the time comes.

I applaud Apple for holding out thus far for the 802.11n standard to be ratified. It must be getting close if their willing to ship hardware that I assume will be compliant in the future. I'm not a big fan of non-standard wireless protocols and speed boosters that are so prelevant today.

Configuration · Sep 25th, 2006, 02:55 PM

There's still the chance that it's a Vista mix-up on the hardware detection.. but wishful thinking tells me that my iMac 24" has a 802.11n card!

saxamaphone · Sep 25th, 2006, 03:28 PM

I wonder what XP thinkgs my Mac Pro has!

jicon · Sep 25th, 2006, 03:41 PM

Interesting, but I'm still wary of what 11n will actually deliver once it is available. Draft 1.0 has been completely scrapped for Draft 2.0, which apparently now expects a few minor revisions, but 11n still seems to early for prime time.
http://www.tomsnetworking.com/2006/0...evealed_part2/
(Older article, but interesting read)

Video streaming requirements over wireless:
http://www.tomsnetworking.com/2006/0...o_know_part_1/

PreCertified 11n:
http://www.tomsnetworking.com/2006/0...wifi_alliance/