Apple Has Released the MacBook 802.11n Update - UPDATED

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Sorry, the statement in this article about the Apple 802.11n update being free is incorrect, the update in fact costs $1.99 and can be purchased and installed on Core 2 Duo based Macs here:

http://store.apple.com/1-800-MY-APPLE/WebObjects/AppleStore.woa/wa/RSLID?mco=9BFE4FC5&amp;nplm=D4141ZM%2FA

 

 

After first saying they'll charge $4.99 for the 802.11n update to Core 2 Duo MacBook and MacBook Pros and then changing that to $1.99 it is now the best price you can get -- FREE! The firmware download patch is available today.

The update comes in the form of firmware update 2007-001 and is recommended for all Intel Macs, the download link is here:

Apple MacBook / MacBook Pro 802.11n firmware update

 

 

Apple 802.11n Extreme Wireless Router (802.11n)

An article in the Wall Street Journal this week called out the fact that Apple didn't really have to charge for the update if they didn't want to (per &quot;expert&quot; accountant opinions) and it seems Apple now agrees with this take. Good news for consumers! Now all you need is the $179.99 to buy the 802.11n Apple Extreme router so you can benefit from this 802.11n firmware update. But of course any 802.11n router will work, it doesn't have to be Apple branded, so get your 802.11n router shopping on and just think of the fact you saved $4.99 towards the cost of that already -- kind of.

The 802.11n Apple Extreme Wireless Base Station can now be ordered from Apple.com for $179.99 and will start shipping in February.

 

Update: as above.. I can no longer afford another large coffee at Starbucks .. sorry for the mix-up

Nice, ya I noticed the update this morning and discovered it was the N update also. Since yesterdays report that their accounting didn't need the charge of even 1.99 and that it was BS.. I guess apple had to do the right thing.. Now I'm free to go spend that 1.99 on another large coffee at Starbucks. =P

 

Wow. What a mess that turned in to. I was willing to pay because i think $5 is cheap for an internal N card that I did not plan on having, but lowering the price and then going free just proved that Apple was trying to make a quick buck. Kind of a shame. Oh well, time to go shop for N routers.

 

Jimy, you were the source for me posting this, thanks to you for making that post and making this article possible!

 

sweeet.. can I have more rep power..hah..just kidding. MacRumors doesnt' even have it up yet. we scooped em!

 

Apple Insider says that it is just a compatibility update, not 802.11n support. WHOOPS!

http://www.appleinsider.com/article.php?id=2443

 

Yup, just a security update. You may want to issue a retraction otherwise you are going to have some very upset and confused people on your hands:

http://news.com.com/Apple+closes+Wi-Fi+hole/2100-1002_3-6153631.html?tag=ne.fd.mnbc).

 

I think we need some more proof in the pudding.. the net seems divided as per "robust wireless network offering up to five times the performance and up to twice the range of networks created with the earlier 802.11g standard. " which is right under the updates description.. although it also addresss's the security issue you sited. Apple is not being very clear here.

 

That quote is referencing the 802.11n Airport Extreme router, not the notebooks.

 

But the Title of the explanation is "About AirPort Extreme Update 2007-001"

About AirPort Extreme Update 2007-001
The perfect wireless solution for home, school, and business. As it blankets your space with a blazing-fast, secure wireless network, it opens up a world of possibilities for home entertainment, backups, printing, and more. With the AirPort Extreme Base Station, you and up to 50 of your friends, colleagues, or family members can enjoy a robust wireless network offering up to five times the performance and up to twice the range of networks created with the earlier 802.11g standard.

Learn more about AirPort Extreme.

What’s New in this Version
- This update is recommended for all Intel-based Macintosh computers and provides compatibility with AirPort Extreme base stations and networks.

Apple isn't going to advertise compatibility with all N routers..only their product, plus if it's bringing compatibility..it should then be N firmware? or what's the point in saying so otherwise if it were just for security. Anyhow, Half the net said, it is, half is only reporting the security hole which is clearly on apples site if you look for the document. There's two sides to this Apple

 

I'm very confused. People in some other Mac forums are saying it is giving them 802.11n and some are saying it isn't . Obviously this is all very unclear, it does look now like it's a security update -- but then again the wording is pretty vague and upon reading you would definitely assume it's something to make your machine more secure and work with an 802.11n router. I'll take this off the front of the site while we debate it more here and try to figure it out.

Regardless though, if htis is not the 802.11n update we've been anticipating for $1.99, I'm 90% sure Apple will release as a free update soon given the backlash they've had on the whole thing.

 

I think the only relevant 802.11n info here are the 2 .PDF documents Apple posted on their site ahead of the router's release. This does suggest that perhaps they will begin shipping them earlier than anticipated. With regard to the update, I'm not certain that it has anything to do with the wireless N capabilities of the actual computer's chipset.

 

Ya, I can't test it properly myself, but I have noticed new networks appearing in my list this morning. Perhaps it's not N, but it's receptivity seems stronger by atleast a small margin. We shall see.. So what's after N? Z?

 

how did apple get the hardware to do this so early? are they not using an Intel wireless card in the Core 2 Duo Macbook Pro's?

that doesn't make a lot of since, it is an intel card couldn't people with the same card do the same thing???