Apple’s AirPort Extreme base station users have yet another reason to be happy that they own a newer model over the 802.11G 54MB UFO looking device. Apple has released a firmware upgrade to version 7.2.1. The AirPort Extreme upgrade can be downloaded from the AirPort Utility or from Apple’s Support Site.
Users will need version 5.1 of the AirPort Utility to install the firmware software. Usually, upgrades to the AirPort Extreme base station include minor bug fixes or security changes. This update includes the regular bug fixes and security updates plus it is WiFi 802.11n Draft 2.0 Certified.
A visit to extreme tech reveals some specifics to what 802.11n Draf 2.0 does for the standard. The major changes has to do with the implementation of the 40-MHz channel. This has been changed to accept the older 2.4 GHz band wireless devices that could cause problems by the wider channel bandwidth.
Apple’s firmware upgrade should give older devices a new lease on life as they should perform better when interacting in the same environment with 802.11n wireless cards in MacBook’s, late model iMac‘s and MacBook Pro’s. The AirPort Extreme base station with the new firmware should perform better with base station’s from other manufacturers. Via Tuaw and ExtremeTech.