MacBook Pro (1st gen Intel) : poor wifi performance vs MacBook (early 2009)

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MacBook Pro (1st gen Intel) : poor wifi performance vs MacBook (early 2009)

I have an issue with my old _MacBook Pro (1st generation Intel)_ which is much slower than my brand new MacBook (from early 2009) : all the bandwith tests show the _MBP being at 50% speed vs the MacBook_. I use my iPhone on my network as well and is behaving better than the MBP...
Do you have any idea where that comes from ?
Thanks for your help,

FYI : the MBP is on OS X 10.4 vs OS X 10.5 for the new MB. I have MAC adress filtering for the 3 equipment...

MacBook Pro (first Intel ones), Mac OS X (10.4.11), + MacBook (10.5.6)

Posted on Feb 27, 2009 9:47 AM

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Answer 1

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Mark Shykula

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Feb 27, 2009 1:35 PM in response to FNG007

The old (original) MacBook Pro Intel wireless card is A/G, the new macbook pro is N. Maybe you are getting performance issues based on the wireless speed difference depending on what type of WAP you are connecting too? Also, updating the OS might improve things as well. I run 10.5.6 on both my original Macbook Pro (1st gen intel) and my new unibody Macbook pro.

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Answer 2

FNG007 Author

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Feb 28, 2009 12:57 AM in response to Mark Shykula

Good idea !
I did check with my wifi network and I was using the 802.11g option which was good for the new MacBook but detrimental to the old MacBook Pro...So now I've switched to 802.11b and both are at the same speeds.
Thanks

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Answer 3

Shocho

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Mar 1, 2009 7:00 AM in response to FNG007

Is that a change to 802.11b you made on your router? Or on the laptop? Can you tell me how to make that change? I'm having the same kind of problem.

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Answer 4

BR0WE

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Jan 10, 2011 8:57 AM in response to Shocho

Did you ever get your answer to your router vs laptop wifi speed issue? I have a 1st Gen too and it's running like mud lately.

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Answer 5

Feb 4, 2012 11:45 PM in response to BR0WE

I've had the same problem with my MacBook Pro from Late 2008.

Yesterday, I had a Lenovo and Sony laptop sat right next to my MacBook Pro, and the Macbook was the only laptop that couldn't maintain a Wi-Fi connection. Usually, it couldn't even keep the connection for more than a minute or so.

I tried changing my Router's configuration (eg change to Channel 1, etc) but in the end, I gave up and had to buy a Wi-Fi Range Extender device. It was very easy to install and setup, there isn't even an install CD or software to install..

My MacBook now has a fast, reliable Wi-Fi connection.

What I don't know (and didn't try) is whether attaching a 802.11N USB device to my MacBook Pro would've improved it's Wi-Fi connection. This might've been a cheaper option, but as I wanted my iPad & iPod to also have an improved Wi-Fi connection, I went for the Range Extender instead.

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