Jazmin Li
Apple's AirPort technology debuted in 1999 as an optional expansion card for its new line of iBook notebooks, allowing wireless internet access for the first time. AirPort Extreme, released in 2003, was based on Broadcom's BCM4306/BCM2050 two-chip solution. Broadcom cards have been used in various MacBook models since late 2008, and Broadcom's Frame Bursting technology improves the wireless signal in MacBook models released in 2011. Non-native Airport Broadcom Wi-Fi cards require a set of patches to function.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| What is it? | Airport Broadcom is a Wi-Fi card used to connect to wireless networks such as those provided by an AirPort Base Station. |
| History | Apple CEO Steve Jobs met with Lucent Technologies executives in 1998 to discuss their Wireless LAN technology. Jobs asked them to design a radio card for US$50 so that Apple could market it as an AirPort card for $99. The AirPort card was introduced on July 21, 1999, at Macworld Expo New York as an option for the iBook G3, making it the world's first Wi-Fi-enabled laptop. |
| Technical specifications | The AirPort Extreme cards use the Broadcom chipset, with the media access control layer in software. The driver is closed source. |
| MacBook Pro compatibility | The MacBook Pro Retina Mid 2012 uses Broadcom BCM94331CSAX (main chip BCM4331: 3 x 3 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz, up to 450 Mbit/s). |
| MacBook Air compatibility | MacBook Air Mid 2012 13", MacBook Air Mid 2011 13", and MacBook Air Late 2010 (11", A1370, and 13", Model A1369) each use a Broadcom BCM 943224 PCIEBT2 Wi-Fi card (main chip BCM43224: 2 x 2 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz). |
| Time Capsule compatibility | In June 2011, Apple updated the Time Capsule with a wireless card from a Marvell chip to a Broadcom BCM4331 chip. When used with the latest 2011 MacBooks, MacBook Pros, and MacBook Airs (which also use a Broadcom BCM4331 wireless chip), the wireless signal is improved thanks to Broadcom's Frame Bursting technology. |
| Non-native cards | Non-native Airport Broadcom Wi-Fi cards require an open-source kernel extension with a set of patches to function properly. |
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What You'll Learn
AirPort Extreme cards
AirPort is a Wi-Fi technology that allows Apple devices to connect to wireless networks. AirPort debuted in 1999 as an optional expansion card for Apple's iBook notebooks. The AirPort card was later added as an option for almost all of Apple's product lines.
In 2003, Apple introduced AirPort Extreme, which uses Broadcom's BCM4306/BCM2050 two-chip solution. AirPort Extreme allows for theoretical peak data transfer rates of up to 54 Mbit/s and is backward compatible with existing AirPort systems.
In early 2007, Apple announced that most Intel Core 2 Duo-based Macs shipped since November 2006 already included AirPort Extreme cards compatible with the draft-802.11 Draft-N specification. Apple offered an application to enable 802.11 Draft-N functionality on these Macs for a fee of $1.99, or for free with the purchase of an AirPort Extreme base station.
The particular brand and model of AirPort card have changed over the years. In early models, the card was Atheros-branded, while since late 2008 they have been Broadcom cards. This distinction is mostly relevant for users running other operating systems such as Linux on MacBooks, as different cards require different device drivers.
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AirPort Disk feature
The AirPort Disk feature allows users to plug a USB hard drive into the AirPort Extreme Base Station for use as a network-attached storage (NAS) device for Mac OS X and Microsoft Windows clients. This feature was introduced on January 9, 2007, when the AirPort Extreme started shipping with support for the 802.11n draft specification and built-in wireless print and storage server capabilities.
To set up the AirPort Disk feature, you need to connect your external USB hard drive to the AirPort Extreme Base Station using a USB cable. Once the drive is physically connected, you need to ensure it is formatted as a Mac OS Extended volume, which can be done through the Disk Utility on your Mac. After formatting, you can launch the AirPort Utility application, found within the Utilities folder in the Applications folder.
Within the AirPort Utility window, you will need to select the Base Station and click on the Manual Setup button. From here, navigate to the Disks tab, where you should see the name of the connected disk. This is where you can configure various settings, such as the password required to access the disk and guest access permissions. You can also enable WAN access and configure the disk for Windows File Sharing if needed.
Once you have configured the settings according to your preferences, click the Update button to save your changes. Now, you can access the AirPort Disk from any of your Macs by opening a Finder window, selecting your Base Station under the Shared heading, clicking Connect As, entering the password, and finally clicking Connect.
It is important to note that the performance of USB hard drives attached to an AirPort Extreme may be slower compared to direct connections to a computer due to processor speed differences. Additionally, while the AirPort Disk feature offers remote access capabilities, some users have reported reliability issues with disconnects and the need to reboot the system for reconnection.
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MacBook Pro Retina Mid 2012
AirPort is Apple's implementation of wireless networking technology. AirPort cards are Apple-branded Wi-Fi cards used to connect to wireless networks such as those provided by an AirPort Base Station.
The MacBook Pro Retina Mid 2012 uses a Broadcom BCM94331CSAX Wi-Fi card (main chip BCM4331: 3 × 3 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz, up to 450 Mbit/s). The Broadcom cards are a change from the earlier Atheros brand cards used in previous models of the MacBook Pro. This change is mostly of concern to those who run other operating systems such as Linux on MacBooks, as different cards require different device drivers.
The MacBook Pro Retina Mid 2012 can be upgraded to the newer WiFi-AC card, which works at higher speeds. However, it cannot be used to do Internet Recovery and instead requires the use of the Thunderbolt Ethernet adapter for Internet Recovery.
If you are experiencing connectivity issues with your MacBook Pro Retina Mid 2012, you may need to replace the AirPort board. This can be done by removing the P5 pentalobe screws securing the lower case to the MacBook Pro, gently prying the battery connector out of its socket on the logic board, detaching the three antenna connectors from their sockets on the AirPort board, and removing the single 2.9 mm T5 Torx screw securing the AirPort board to the logic board.
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AirPort Base Station
Apple's AirPort Base Station was first introduced in 1999, alongside the iBook G3, the world's first Wi-Fi-enabled laptop. The AirPort Base Station was an optional expansion card for Apple's new line of iBook notebooks. The original AirPort system allowed transfer rates of up to 11 Mbit/s and was commonly used to share internet access and files between multiple computers.
In 2003, Apple introduced the AirPort Extreme, based on the 802.11g specification, which allowed for theoretical peak data transfer rates of up to 54 Mbit/s. The AirPort Extreme was fully backward compatible with existing 802.11b wireless network cards and base stations. Apple's desktop computers and portable computers, including the MacBook Pro, MacBook, Mac Mini, and iMac, shipped with an AirPort Extreme card as standard.
In 2004, Apple released the AirPort Express Base Station, a compact, multifunctional router. In 2007, Apple unveiled a new AirPort Extreme Base Station, which introduced 802.11 Draft-N to the Apple AirPort product line. This new base station could operate in both the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz ISM bands and had modes compatible with 802.11b/g and 802.11a.
In 2008, Apple introduced the Time Capsule, an AirPort Extreme (802.11 Draft-N) with an internal hard drive, allowing any computer running a reasonably recent version of Mac OS or Windows to access the disk as a shared volume. In 2011, Apple unveiled an updated AirPort Extreme base station, referred to as AirPort Extreme 802.11n (5th Generation).
Apple's AirPort Base Station products were discontinued in 2018, and the remaining inventory was sold off. Apple later retailed routers from Linksys, Netgear, and Eero in its retail stores.
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AirPort Utility app
AirPort is Apple's wireless technology that debuted in 1999, allowing wireless internet technology for the first time in an Apple laptop. AirPort cards are Apple-branded Wi-Fi cards used to connect to wireless networks such as those provided by an AirPort Base Station.
The AirPort Utility app is used to manage Wi-Fi networks and AirPort base stations, including AirPort Express, AirPort Extreme, and AirPort Time Capsule. It provides a graphical overview of Wi-Fi networks and devices, allowing users to change base station and network settings, as well as manage advanced features like security modes, wireless channels, and IPv6 configuration. The app is available for free on the App Store for iOS devices, including iPad, iPhone, and iPod touch.
The AirPort Utility app also includes a Wi-Fi Scanner feature, which can provide useful statistics and enumerate hidden networks. This feature can be enabled by downloading the app, accessing iPhone settings, turning on the Wi-Fi Scanner, and then opening the app to access the new Wi-Fi scan option.
Apple has continued to update the AirPort Utility app, with the latest update released in October 2019, which included stability and security improvements.
In terms of the specific mention of "Broadcom" in your request, it appears that this refers to the Broadcom chipset used in AirPort Extreme cards. Broadcom cards have been used in various MacBook models, including the MacBook Air and MacBook Pro, since 2008.
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Frequently asked questions
Airport Broadcom refers to the Wi-Fi cards used in Apple computers to connect to wireless networks. The specific brand of card has varied over the years, with Broadcom cards being used since 2008.
Airport Broadcom cards are Apple-branded Wi-Fi cards. The specific brand and model of card are important for users who run other operating systems, such as Linux, as different cards require different device drivers.
To install an Airport Broadcom card, you will need to purchase the appropriate card for your Mac model. You may also need to purchase an extension cable for the U.FL connector on the existing Bluetooth board. Once you have the correct equipment, follow the instructions provided by Apple or a trusted source for installing hardware on your specific Mac model.
