Last night myself and the others at at KilkennyMusic.com sat down late (say 9:30pm) in Studio A for a short meeting followed by the recording of the 19th Sound System Podcast. Internet access was a must before the recording – some last minute research, checking of dates, sampling of music etc. Ross was flying away on his Powerbook on the studio network while I wound up forking out for a 30 minute Eircom voucher to allow me get my work done.
It turns out, as I was informed later, that my inability to connect to the network is that the WiFi connection is now being serviced by an AirPort Extreme base station, my MacBook Pro currently living in a/b/g land. Well now, its living in a/b/g/n land and should have no problem in the studio next week.
AirPort Extreme Base Station
So how does one enable 802.11n WiFi access on their MacBook Pro? Well, you do it via a download from the Apple Store, retailing at US$1.95 or €1.95 if you’re shopping out of the Irish store. You must have the AirPort Extreme update installed from earlier this year if you haven’t done so already.
Via the Apple Store
How to install the AirPort Extreme 802.11n Enabler:
- Add the AirPort Extreme 802.11n Enabler to your shopping cart and complete your order.
- On the Order Confirmation page and email, you’ll receive instructions and a URL for downloading the Enabler software.
- Click the download link, then locate the disk image (.dmg) file on your computer and double-click it.
- Double-click the 802.11n Enabler file and follow the onscreen steps to update your Mac.
Where do you get the AirPort Extreme update? Right here.
If you haven’t installed the AirPort extreme update and you find that your MacBook Pro won’t allow you to do it, I suggest you read this page (click here). It tells you how to extract the application via the ‘Show Package Contents’ context menu feature in OSX, allowing you to first install the AirPort Extreme application and then upgrade is through the normal process.
The process from start to finish, including purchase from Apple Store, should take you all of five minutes and will require a system restart when finished.
Going a tad off-topic here, but why aren’t people complaining about Apple’s currency conversion methods? €1.95 = $1.95 ? Since when?
Why do you think I went to Canada? €2,019 is a hell of a lot cheaper when its CN$2,019! (=1383 euro).
Apple would be so much more accessible I feel if they could match the prices in the European market.
It really is taking the piss though, like if they converted them properly they would benefit from more buisness!
They certainly would. I still feel the burn of having paid nearly 450 euro for my 60gb video iPod!
Ken
So they charged you 2 euro to download a fairly essential update?
Am I missing something?
Michele
Yep! The fact that Ken got reeled in by Apple! 😛
That seems like a very un-Apple like thing to do. I agree with Michele, it’s very strange that they would charge 2 bucks for an update that you should be entitled to. We pay enough for our Macs as it is.
Steve should be sent to his room to think about what he has done!
Yep – charged for it. Quite surprised when I was told, before visiting the site, that I’d have to pay for it. If I’d purchased the whole AirPort Extreme setup it would be included… of course if I do purchase a full AirPort Extreme setup I’ll be looking for my 2 euro back…