Apple confirms: Macs already shipping with 802.11n

No surprises here, but following the launch of the Airport Extreme this morning, Apple came clean about the existence of 802.11n draft-spec hardware in their iMac, MacBook, MacBook Pro, and Mac Pro lineup of computers. So just like we thought, Apple will indeed provide a software update for your Mac. Only thing is, you'll have to purchase their Airport Extreme first, since the "enabler software" ships with new base station. Now that you know for sure what your hardware could do (with compatible draft-n hardware), we wonder if you can really wait until February for your update?

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

[erwin @ Jan 9th 2007 11:06PM]

Does the first Macbook Pro also have this feature, or only the very latest?

[erwin @ Jan 9th 2007 11:10PM]

Ok, only the latest Macbook Pro with Intel Core 2 Duo

[legato895 @ Jan 9th 2007 11:45PM]

i have a belkin draft n router... so how do i unlock my macbook pro's draft n card... and are they the same 'draft'? would i see a change?

[Jason @ Jan 10th 2007 12:09AM]

I wish my original MacBook (Core Duo) had the 802.11N - my machine is only 6 months old and it's already obsolete...wireless networking speaking that is

[Razor @ Jan 10th 2007 12:15AM]

Welcome to the world of modern technology...

[gpig @ Jan 10th 2007 8:28AM]

Yeah but seriously, I am in the same boat I have 3 1st gen intel macs all .g. It is a little bit rich to swallow the fact that there isn't an option who blindly followed.

It's not even that .n was touted as a feature of the core 2 duos when they went on sale.

Apple has precedent of being backward compatible - at least a couple of years into its product line (universal binaries anyone !?!......rosetta.....classic), but this would appear to be no longer the case.

What gripes worse is that the new airport extreme appears to be only 10/100 with no gigabit ethernet, so the only way to get anything out of it is if your on .n.

go on steve, give me a pass to the high table - all we ask is a usb .n dongle.....

[a_tolbert @ Jan 10th 2007 12:52AM]

802.11g isn't half bad for streaming video, granted the two devices aren't too far apart. It would be a hell of a lot nicer to have Core2Duo MBP, but I guess I will have to grin and bare with my Og MBP. Kind of eliminates the point of getting Airport Extreme though, however.

It's lame of apple to only provide the update to AE purchasers, but I'm sure the software will leak out there in some shape or form eventually.

[asher @ Jan 10th 2007 1:28AM]

you can only unlock your existing hardware if you buy a new product??? I call foul. How long 'till Apple sees a lawsuit for this one?

I feel a bit screwed because I see no need to dump my belkin N. and get a new airport.

[legato895 @ Jan 10th 2007 2:26AM]

asher... serious or no?

[asher @ Jan 10th 2007 2:50AM]

after thinking about it...

If anyone does start a class action suit against apple locking the existing MBP's N card, please let me know, I'll gladly sign it too.

So Mr. Jobs... have you anything to say for yourself and Apple Inc.'s sullied hands?

[asher @ Jan 10th 2007 2:33AM]

I'm serious about being pissed that they've locked me out of my own wireless capabilities.

And Yes, I'm sure that someone will end up suing them. You've bought a machine that has X capabilities and they'll only allow you to unlock it if you buy their product when there are a dozen that already do the same... completely dirty pool.

[Deckard @ Jan 10th 2007 2:33AM]

Apple, the new Sony.

LOL, this story is too funny - nice one, Apple! And it took 7 posts before someone pointed out Apple were behaving badly, Apple really can get away with anything (almost).

[Matt @ Jan 10th 2007 3:03AM]

Don't be retarded. You bought a machine with the specified capability of X. Turns out, it could really do Y, but the vendor hasn't enabled it. You got what you paid for. Apple isn't STOPPING you from using 802.11n with your existing hardware, they're just not going to do it for you.

Really think you're right? Hire a lawyer.

[Russell @ Jan 10th 2007 3:17AM]

The problem with a class action lawsuit is that Apple never said, advertised, or even implied the older computers (which I have one of the CD MBP's) had or would have N capabilities. They sold and you/we/I bought based on the public specs at the time. They delivered what they promised you and you expected.

Whats worse Apple secretly adding N for future enabling or selling all those machines G only and no making the switch leaving even more people N-less?

[asher @ Jan 10th 2007 3:28AM]

But the specs were made public on their tech pages before I bought my MBP. Now they are allowing ppl to upgrade to that feature (N) but only if you buy their hardware. Why not allow me to upgrade with a competitor's router?

[asher @ Jan 10th 2007 3:13AM]

thanks for calling me retarded Matt...

[Matt @ Jan 10th 2007 3:25AM]

If that's how you want to take it. I prefer to think of it as advice on how to not look retarded in the future.

[kuhndog @ Jan 10th 2007 7:55AM]

iit's still draft-n as in a non standard protocol.. why would apple want people running around connecting to other draft-n routers, that they are unsure works with their hardware or not. at least they know for sure it works with their router. once the protocol is finalized your arguement might be a little more validated.

[kleid @ Jan 10th 2007 10:21AM]

I just bought a Airport card for my G5 iMac last week. It looks like they're still selling .g from the apple store. I wonder if they'll start shipping .n before my 30days are up...

[dp123 @ Jan 10th 2007 10:34AM]

gpig, how is this situation not backwards compatible? Did this announcement break your 802.11g functionality somehow?

[Badtz Maru� @ Jan 10th 2007 10:44AM]

Yeah, I can't understand what Apple is thinking either. Activation of the .n feature of Macs that currently support it should be as simple as an online Software Update, right? Other firmware upgrades are pushed to Macs if I'm not mistaken.

I'm also miffed at the lack of gigabit ethernet ports on the Airport Extreme, and only 1 USB port. Maybe I'm a security freak but I prefer to do data transfers amongst my computers via gigabit ethernet, it's also more robust than WiFi in the crowded urban environment I'm in (my Mac's Airport drop-down shows about 20 connections available at this moment). I'd like to simplify my life and not have extra gigabit hubs and Airport Expresses just for wireless printing. I guess the Apple mindset is to have customers buy two Airport Extremes if they want both hard drive and printer connectivity, plus a 3rd party gigabit hub if they're so inclined; it's just too much stuff. I thought Apple was all about the simple life, not clutter, unless you buy into doing all your networking over WiFi (including network backups).

[jordan @ Jan 10th 2007 11:08AM]

This is to asher and those who feel they were jipped (if that's even a real word :D)...

Think of it like buying a cell phone from X provider. A lot of the time, *certain* providers (whose name *may* start with a V) lock a ton of features on the phone you buy, where other providers' customers with the same model get things like usb-downloadable ringtones. Do you get to sue the provider because they lock down their phones? Well, no one has so far, and probably with good sense. :)

[Expungablerobot @ Jan 10th 2007 11:48AM]

"Think of it like buying a cell phone from X provider."

I didn't pay 2500$ to have the latest and greatest in cellphone tech. It's a little different- this machine has to get me through a long time, and I don't even need a base station where I live- but I really need faster wireless.

[Jamie @ Jan 10th 2007 12:10PM]

I think I'm the only person reading this differently from everyone else...

The airport extreme is not shipping yet (the store says February). I think that when they say that the unlock software is shipping with the routers, they mean it'll be released at the same time...

I might be wrong, but I can't see Apple trying to lock people into using their tech that tightly when it's based on an open system.

[Chris Merchant @ Jan 10th 2007 3:03PM]

"Apple will indeed provide a software update for your Mac. Only thing is, you'll have to purchase their Airport Extreme first"

Sorry Jamie, we wish it were true. When you buy the new Airport Extreme, I imagine you'll open the box to find a CD with the drivers (software update) for our Macs.

Sad, but true.

Chris

[jatin_76 @ Jan 11th 2007 10:46AM]

Is my understanding correct that a USB HDD connected to this router can be used as a NAS device?

[Jamie @ Jan 11th 2007 2:32PM]

I meant on the Apple page.

I'd put money on them pushing out an update when the Airport is released.

[bellacosa @ Jan 13th 2007 10:49AM]

Please help me understand something, thinking about buying a pre Macbook Core2Duo. Can I buy and install a new network card with the 802.11N capability? Thank you for your help and time.