That's what System info tells me about my Airport Extreme. My question is: will my iMac get faster access to my broadband internet service by connecting it to my Airport Extreme with an Ethernet cable than by connecting it wirelessly? They are both on the same desktop.
iMac, OS X Yosemite (10.10), 27", 14,2 i5 3,2 GHz
Hi bobgoldstein,
The current model of AirPort Extreme base station uses the 802.11ac standard. This allows wireless data rates of up to 1.3 Gbps, which is a significant improvement over the wired Gigabit Ethernet speed of 1.0 Gbps. It should be noted, however, that this data rate depends on ideal wireless conditions. It also requires a computer that has 802.11ac capability. Computers that do not will be limited to their own maximum speed.
All Intel based Macs are capable of Gigabit Ethernet speeds for wired connectivity.
See this article for further information -
Apple - Mac - AirPort Extreme
Thanks for using Apple Support Communities.
Best,
Brett L
Thanks very much Brett. But I don't know how to tell if my Airport Extreme supports 802.11ac. I have looked at About this Mac, and the airport utility, but I am still in the dark.
Hi bobgoldstein,
So if you do not know what model of AirPort Extreme base station you have, you can get it from the serial number. This article describes how to get the serial number -
AirPort Extreme/Express, Time Capsule: How to find the serial number
Once you have that, go to this page and enter the serial number in the Search field -
Apple - Support - Manuals
That should tell you what model you have by giving you the correct manual. The most current model is the AirPort Extreme 802.11ac.
Thanks for using Apple Support Communities.
Best,
Brett L
My model is "AirPort Extreme 802.11n (2nd Generation)"
Hi bobgoldstein,
So the model of AirPort Extreme Base station you have will not support 802.11ac wireless networking. The best data rate it will get over Wi-Fi is 450 Mbps, or roughly a third of what the newer model will get, and a bit less than half of the speed of using wired Ethernet. I would suggest using Ethernet if at all possible - you do mention that they are near each other so a wired connection should not be difficult. If you want to use Wi-Fi and have that speed you will need to get the newer model of AirPort Extreme Base Station.
Again, for reference see this page -
Apple - Mac - AirPort Extreme
One other thing I should mention here. If you are using this network mainly for accessing the Internet, your speed is more likely to be limited by the speed of your Internet connection. For example, if you only get 50 Mbps from your Internet service provider to the AirPort, you won't get anything faster to your iMac no matter what you use. If you are sending data between devices on your local network, however, then the differences can be significant.
Best,
Brett
Thank you for the very complete answer. It is convenient for me to use the Ethernet cable and I will, even though it will not increase the speed of Internet access. At least, it will take a little load off my local network, which has one computer, 2 iPads, and an iPod touch in use most of the time.
And I can't see the need for a later model base station, since the preponderance of use is for devices accessing my Comcast cable internet.
Hi bobgoldstein,
You are welcome, I am glad I was able to help.
Brett
Faster link to AirPort Extreme (0x14E4, 0x111)
