Mac OSX issues i've seen with various APs/wireless solutions: -Random inexplicable roaming (to a further away AP) -Various Yosemite issues (some fixed then others coming up) -Random TCP RST packets -Compatibility/performance problems with various hardware (cheap ISP huawei especially) -Unable to connect on OSX to a weak wifi network, but bootcamp on the same hardware in the same location can.
Unsure if this was the AP or OSX, but these issues only happened with macs in each of the scenarios i saw.
Then you have the poor wifi scanning on iOS where it can take an age to find the SSID you're looking for, especially in a congested area. Windows and Android find it instantly.
I know that apple has huge issues with wifi channels over 50 - Put it on 36, sees it fine, connects fine, works. Put it on 52 or higher, sometimes it will see it and connect, Sometimes it will see it but not connect. It will be working fine and you relocate to a weaker location, but where other devices still work ok, and the apple will just disconnect on those channels and not reconnect. But back on 36 or 44 etc and it works fine.
52 to 150 are DFS channels - On wifi kit in general, i've seen poor implementations of DFS/TPC, or if in an area where it detects radar or anything it thinks might be radar, you might see constant cutting out. Sometimes variable depending on what region has been set as there are slightly different regulations.
Properly implemented DFS though can be a good way to add capacity to a dense multi AP wifi network if theres no frequent radar like activity in the area.
Not sure what apple is like in this area however. Try 149 to 165 and see if you get issues - these aren't DFS and are rated for indoor and outdoor use.
edit: also worth mentioning is its obviously a higher frequency as you go up, so the further you go away in theory the worse itll be over distance. To be honest though i haven't ever run the numbers what the range/penetration difference is between 36 and 165.
I thought only the router had to detect the other use of the channel? So the AP in the middle of the house should be pretty immune to that.
In anycase, windows laptops, android phones etc work fine in the same areas. They are not that far either. Patio is about 7m thru 1 wall and a french door. 1 bar off full on most things. Ended up just connecting the apple to the flatmates network since his was on 36 at the time and it was fine. Moving my unifi's makes them reboot and kick all the clients off which means they go and join the 2.4Ghz network till I disconnect and reconnect them so I dont like doing that.
I have never had a problem with Wireless on an Apple laptop or desktop machine and i've been using them since Apple first released machines with the "AirPort" cards. I've used a mixture of Apple Airport basestations, netgear, D-Link, Cisco, Ruckus, Allied Telesis, Linksys to name a few.
The worst brand I have ever worked with has always been D-Link. As far as I am concerned Apple have a history of making well built and reliable products.
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