<strong>Well, what has happened to it? Is it going to get better, or is this our wireless world through the next several iterations of hardware?</strong><hr></blockquote>
What do you mean? The current 802.11b WiFi AirPort works fine. I remember reading recently that Apple plans to go to faster 802.11g spec next year once it's finalized, vice 802.11a (which uses 5Ghz spectrum vice current 2.4Ghz). The .g spec will be backward compatible with .b, so current AirPort/WiFi cards will work with a .g base station (just at 11mbps vice ~54mbps). I think enough of the industry is currently pushing WiFi that the .a spec will die (since it's incompatible with current cards), until MS continues to support the .a spec. We'll see. In any case, Apple is clearly moving to support the new .g spec once it's ready.
A related question: why are Airport cards still $100? They've been out for what, 3-4 years? And we're supposed to believe that it costs Apple the same amount to make them?
<strong>A related question: why are Airport cards still $100? They've been out for what, 3-4 years? And we're supposed to believe that it costs Apple the same amount to make them?</strong><hr></blockquote>
Thats not the point! Who cares if we dont believe it! $100 is fine. Think of it in software terms; a piece of software available for OSX is still the same price today as it was 18 months ago!
<strong>A related question: why are Airport cards still $100? They've been out for what, 3-4 years? And we're supposed to believe that it costs Apple the same amount to make them?</strong><hr></blockquote>
You know how nice it is to have the card contained completly within the computer... Well, no one else can or will make a card to fit that slot. So Apple can charge what every they want regardless of the market.
<strong>A related question: why are Airport cards still $100? They've been out for what, 3-4 years? And we're supposed to believe that it costs Apple the same amount to make them?</strong><hr></blockquote>
not only that, if you have an older iMac THEY RAISED the price!! it used to include a little card in addition to the airport card so you could connect it to the old slot loading iMacs NOW that piece costs $20 MORE!!!! FUCKING RIDICULOUS!
Comments
<strong>Well, what has happened to it? Is it going to get better, or is this our wireless world through the next several iterations of hardware?</strong><hr></blockquote>
What do you mean? The current 802.11b WiFi AirPort works fine. I remember reading recently that Apple plans to go to faster 802.11g spec next year once it's finalized, vice 802.11a (which uses 5Ghz spectrum vice current 2.4Ghz). The .g spec will be backward compatible with .b, so current AirPort/WiFi cards will work with a .g base station (just at 11mbps vice ~54mbps). I think enough of the industry is currently pushing WiFi that the .a spec will die (since it's incompatible with current cards), until MS continues to support the .a spec. We'll see. In any case, Apple is clearly moving to support the new .g spec once it's ready.
<strong>A related question: why are Airport cards still $100? They've been out for what, 3-4 years? And we're supposed to believe that it costs Apple the same amount to make them?</strong><hr></blockquote>
Thats not the point! Who cares if we dont believe it! $100 is fine. Think of it in software terms; a piece of software available for OSX is still the same price today as it was 18 months ago!
Frankly 100 is well worth it!
<strong>A related question: why are Airport cards still $100? They've been out for what, 3-4 years? And we're supposed to believe that it costs Apple the same amount to make them?</strong><hr></blockquote>
You know how nice it is to have the card contained completly within the computer... Well, no one else can or will make a card to fit that slot. So Apple can charge what every they want regardless of the market.
<strong>A related question: why are Airport cards still $100? They've been out for what, 3-4 years? And we're supposed to believe that it costs Apple the same amount to make them?</strong><hr></blockquote>
not only that, if you have an older iMac THEY RAISED the price!! it used to include a little card in addition to the airport card so you could connect it to the old slot loading iMacs NOW that piece costs $20 MORE!!!! FUCKING RIDICULOUS!
My 2 cents? Airport cards nowadays should not cost any more than $75.