Updated: Apple releases security update for AirPort Extreme
After a big stink was made about Apple charging customers $4.99 (then later $1.99) to activate the 802.11n functionality on their MacBooks, the company has finally announced the update for free. In my opinion, it was always their intention to release it for free, but they wanted to see how much hype they could generate off of charging for it.
Update: Everybody calm down while we figure out what this news really is. It looks like it’s just a security update - and we were therefore misinformed. Here’s an excerpt from the linked page:
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.
[Thanks, everyone for catching the mistake!]
The confusion lied mostly in that the update page has an advertisement for their AirPort Extreme router. As you can see, it mentions you can enjoy 802.11n speeds on your AirPort Extreme Base Station router. Eventhough this has nothing to do with the MacBook 802.11n upgrade, we still stand firm on our position that charging for it is ridiculous. Check out the product page.
Download Apple’s 802.11n firmware update for MacBook / MacBook Pro
Via [Notebook Review]
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Where does it say that this update enables 802.11n functionality? I think this article is in error.
on January 27, 2007 at 04:35 AM - LINKThis is most certainly not the “n” enabler. This is a security update. Also the following
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.
Not all Intel-based Macs have “n” hardware.
on January 27, 2007 at 05:37 AM - LINKHey you lemons, get a clue. Did you even check the link? Perhaps this will help: “offering up to five times the performance and up to twice the range of networks created with the earlier 802.11g standard.”
Umm… Sounds an awful lot like .11n to me.
Now bake some poopie pies, you tools.
on January 27, 2007 at 07:51 AM - LINKHey man, that’s not nice. Accurate and probably quite appropriate, but still not very nice.
But I’m sure you don’t care because you’re too busy enjoying your poopie pies. Wha?
on January 27, 2007 at 07:54 AM - LINKWe’ll see if “Jack-a-Monkey” is so mouthy when it comes to apologizing.
This update improves connectivity to the Apple Express router that offers 802.11n. However it does NOT enable 802.11n on Macs connecting to those router, just fixes the 802.11g issues (of which there are several.)
In short, it’s a good install for all Macs with WiFi.
To enable 802.11n on appropriatly equipped Macs you must still pay the $1.99.
So, who’s offering up the humble pie?
on January 27, 2007 at 08:26 AM - LINKOh, and Doug Berger, please correct the headline, as noted this is not the $1.99 update but rather a standard free one.
on January 27, 2007 at 08:28 AM - LINKWrong just a security update
on January 27, 2007 at 06:06 PM - LINKThis IS NOT the “N” Enabler! DUH!!
on January 27, 2007 at 07:58 PM - LINKYeah, this is not the N-enabler for Macs with Core 2 Duo. Check the link again and read every word. It’s just a security update.
on January 27, 2007 at 10:17 PM - LINKWhen is the webmaster or administrator of this website going to fix this link? The download IS NOT A FIRMWARE UPDATE! Get your head out of your @$$ and fix it to indicate is is merely a security update only! Damn you suck!
on January 28, 2007 at 10:10 PM - LINKAre you people kidding me? Scout’s honor...this is the real deal!!!
I installed this update on my MacBook Pro twice and now I’ve got five times the download speed and four times the range of what I had before. What’s even more amazing is that I don’t even have an 802.11n router yet. Did I mention that this update also cured my erectile dysfunction? Well not quite, but almost. Did I mention I’m not Scout, either?
I just love these articles. Thanks all for livening up my dreary day.
on January 29, 2007 at 02:30 AM - LINKMac news sites are becoming almost as poorly informed as PC news sites.
(Here it comes again...)
This is no way, shape or form is the 802.11n updater. This is the security update that was released last week.
I think Jerk-a-Monkey needs to eat some of his own poopie pie. Try reading TFA before posting doofwad. The description of the update also contains a advertisement, if you will, for the new draft-n AirPort Extreme box. That’s the 5x faster reference.
Not that Jerk-a-Monkey will ever come back to read these…
on January 29, 2007 at 04:00 AM - LINK