Q: Improve Bluetooth signal strength?

I have a brand new Anker Bluetooth Wireless keyboard that I am trying to use with my 15" Mid 2010 MacBook Pro. The keyboard has brand new batteries and I've tried disconnecting, re-pairing and reseting SMC/PRAM multiple times. I would like to prop up my laptop on a stand to make it eye-level and use a keyboard and mouse. I am having a major problem with the range of bluetooth. I have my keyboard sitting literally on top of my laptop trackpad and am receiving a signal of -66dBm and a few inches in front and below is at -84. The laptop isn't even on its stand yet. The signal between my laptop and keyboard is lost within 1foot distance. I had this problem with 10.10.1 and upgraded to beta 10.10.2 to see if it's better but it's not. How can I improve this? I have no other Bluetooth devices and the problem continues with wifi both on or off.

Message was edited by: afsimola

MacBook Pro, OS X Yosemite (10.10.1), Mid 2010 15"

Posted on Dec 28, 2014 3:19 AM

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Q: Improve Bluetooth signal strength?

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by Csound1,

Csound1 Dec 28, 2014 3:16 AM in response to afsimola
Level 9 (51,412 points)

Desktops

Dec 28, 2014 3:16 AM in response to afsimola

Try a different keyboard, for reference try the Apple keyboard.
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by afsimola,

afsimola Dec 28, 2014 3:24 AM in response to Csound1
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Dec 28, 2014 3:24 AM in response to Csound1

I don't have access to another Bluetooth keyboard and won't buy one just to test if Bluetooth is actually working. Later today I am going to test the signal on my pc laptop. The only other Bluetooth device I have is my iPhone. I will pair it and test that signal later today as well.

Also going to an apple store is out of the question as there isn't one within a 7hour drive.
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by Csound1,

Csound1 Dec 28, 2014 3:47 AM in response to afsimola
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Desktops

Dec 28, 2014 3:47 AM in response to afsimola

That won't tell you anything about the compatibility of your Mac and that keyboard.

You need a different keyboard if you are testing the keyboard!
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by afsimola,

afsimola Dec 28, 2014 4:33 AM in response to Csound1
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Dec 28, 2014 4:33 AM in response to Csound1

Well I know they are "compatible" because it does work but not at a distance. Anker advertises it as a mac keyboard and there are tons of excellence reviews regarding its use with Macs. And so I am heavily leaning towards that the problem is with my mac or Yosemite. Making this assumption, what can I do? I highly doubt I will have luck tracking down another Bluetooth keyboard to use, especially an Apple one.

Thanks for your continuing help.
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by Csound1,

Csound1 Dec 28, 2014 4:37 AM in response to afsimola
Level 9 (51,412 points)

Desktops

Dec 28, 2014 4:37 AM in response to afsimola

Go to an Apple Store, buy a keyboard, you can return it for a full refund anytime in the first 14 days.

If it works you have time to decide whether to return it, or the other one.

Keep the packaging in case you decide to return it.
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by Eric Root,

Eric Root Dec 28, 2014 12:48 PM in response to afsimola
Level 9 (74,064 points)

iTunes

Dec 28, 2014 12:48 PM in response to afsimola

Bluetooth Interference Sources

Bluetooth Interference Sources (2)
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Q: Improve Bluetooth signal strength?

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by Csound1,

by afsimola,

by Csound1,

by afsimola,

by Csound1,

by Eric Root,

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