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J.grazier
Level 1 (4 points)
Peripherals

Q: is there any reason why I should turn on 5ghz or is 2.4 good enough? I have my mac wired and I have apple tv wireless 3 iPads 2 phones and 1 iPod.

Not sure if 5ghz is better than 2.4? Im running 8 devices on my wireless at 2.4 just wondering if I should connect anything to the 5ghz. thank you

iMac (27-inch Mid 2011)

Posted on Aug 5, 2014 5:43 PM

by LaPastenague,Solvedanswer
LaPastenague LaPastenague
Level 9 (52,655 points)
Wireless
A:

Apple routers are simultaneous dual band now.. since Gen1 of the TC and Gen2 of the AE. So it is there.. and you might even be using it unbeknownst.. Apple devices should swap bands according to the automatic systems available as long as you are using a single wireless name for both bands which is default.

Posted on Aug 5, 2014 7:35 PM

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J.grazier

Q: is there any reason why I should turn on 5ghz or is 2.4 good enough? I have my mac wired and I have apple tv wireless 3 iPads 2 ph ... more

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  • by LaPastenague,Solvedanswer

    LaPastenague LaPastenague Aug 5, 2014 7:35 PM in response to J.grazier
    Level 9 (52,655 points)
    Wireless
    Aug 5, 2014 7:35 PM in response to J.grazier

    Apple routers are simultaneous dual band now.. since Gen1 of the TC and Gen2 of the AE. So it is there.. and you might even be using it unbeknownst.. Apple devices should swap bands according to the automatic systems available as long as you are using a single wireless name for both bands which is default.

  • by Bob Timmons,Helpful

    Bob Timmons Bob Timmons Aug 5, 2014 8:16 PM in response to J.grazier
    Level 10 (105,183 points)
    Wireless
    Aug 5, 2014 8:16 PM in response to J.grazier
    Not sure if 5ghz is better than 2.4? Im running 8 devices on my wireless at 2.4 just wondering if I should connect anything to the 5ghz. thank you

    If you have a simultaneous dual band AirPort router, then both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz are always being broadcast at the same time.

     

    Wireless devices will automatically connect to the best quality signal based on their wireless capability and distance in relation to the AirPort router.

     

    You really don't have to worry about any of this.  Just let your wireless devices decide on the best signal to use and it will all happen magically.....most of the time.

  • by J.grazier,

    J.grazier J.grazier Aug 6, 2014 4:27 AM in response to LaPastenague
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Peripherals
    Aug 6, 2014 4:27 AM in response to LaPastenague

    thank you

  • by dennyc69,

    dennyc69 dennyc69 Aug 8, 2014 4:17 AM in response to J.grazier
    Level 1 (8 points)
    Wireless
    Aug 8, 2014 4:17 AM in response to J.grazier

    I like assigning as much as I can to the 5ghz as possible because the 2.4 spectrum is so crowded with other things like cordless telephones and your neighbors Wi-Fi. 2.4 will broadcast further then 5, but something like your Apple TV is perfect for it. It will give you (or should give you) uninterrupted streaming for your ATV without any external interference. I have two Apple TV's, a Tivo ,and my iPad all on 5ghz, since they are all used for audio or video content consumption. Your iPhone's and iPod can go either way depending on which version of the devices you have.


    Content viewing is amazing when your able to isolate as much as you can from everything else around you.

  • by Roger Wilmut1,Helpful

    Roger Wilmut1 Roger Wilmut1 Aug 8, 2014 4:20 AM in response to J.grazier
    Level 9 (78,278 points)
    iTunes
    Aug 8, 2014 4:20 AM in response to J.grazier

    I found that my laptop insisted on connecting to 2.4GHz even though 5GHz is available, and is noticeably faster. I used the option in Airport Utility to give the 5GHz band a different name, and then set the laptop to connect to only that. Using I can get close to the 120Mb/s which the connection and the Ethernet-connected iMac are capable of achieving with the wind in the right direction.