QuickerTek is offering a new external Wi-Fi transceiver for Apple’s 17-inch MacBook Pro that it claims provides up to a 100 percent improvement in wireless signal strength and distance. The transceiver costs $200.
With range improved, users can use their 17-inch MacBook Pro up to twice as far away from an AirPort Base Station or other wireless access point, according to QuickerTek. The device installs without drivers or other changes to the normal wireless connection procedure — the MacBook Pro uses the same internal antenna.
The transceiver does connect internally — a small cable extends out of the case to the external antenna. The antenna end of the transceiver can clip on to the top of the MacBook Pro case and won’t mar the finish or alter it.
The transceiver works not only with Apple base station hardware but other products from Linksys, Belkin, Dlink and others, and functions with 802.11b and 802.11g wireless networking standards.