Yes. I have a LinkSys switch instead of an AirPort, but my MacBook Pro reception is very spotty. Reception comes and goes, just as you describe. It wasn't perfect before the update, but it's worse now.

I've always had a very specific problem with Airport on my MBP. It always runs flawlessly on the computer network (that requires a WAP key), but frequently locks up on any other network. I can reboot but always get a spinning beachball before I can log in. The system always works fine when moving from one network to the other if I shut off airport first, but when I turn it back on and connect to a different network, I often see the same symptoms described here. The 10.4.8 update didn't seem to affect this problem - I had it both before and after the update. But remember, there's NEVER a slowdown on the company wireless that uses a WAP key.

On my 4 month old MacBook, I'm now getting 2-3 bars at home just one room away from my USRobotics Wireless G router (WEP key on, max signal is normal). And yesterday, in both a photographer's studio and in Union Square Park here in NYC, i couldn't hold onto ANY of at least a dozen open (WEP key off) signals for longer than a few seconds. AARGH! If it doesn't work perfectly the way it always has at my local cafe (WEP key off), I'll need to roll back to 10.4.7.

I'm not sure if my issues relate, but the Airport on my TiBook (400MHz G4) is acting strange after the mentioned updates. I'll be sitting in my living room, only a few walls away from the iMac G5 that's sharing (broadcasting) its cable internet connection through its own Airport Extreme card (I'm cheap, so I refuse to buy a wireless router, haha), and my signal appears strong (3 and 4 bars). Just as soon as I open Safari to start browsing, the 3-4 bars drop down to 1-2 bars and eventually I lose the connection (0 bars). What's more, the Airport connection will jump up to 4 bars very quickly after I lose connection, then it will let me surf for about a minute, and again drop the connection.
I don't know what's going on with Airport, but I hope Apple recognizes the problem we're having and fixes it soon. I guess I'll post this in the Apple Discussions too...

I am having proximity problem, before 10.4.8 update I used to be able to move around the house now I have to sit somewhere near my Airport Express. If I don't I loose signal I can regain by turning Airport on and off but it is a hastle. I am using MacBook Pro 1stgen.

This kind of behavior is not new to me with my Powerbook G4 and Airport Extreme Base Station. I always assumed it was the base station which is the third for me. They have always been flaky and very sensitive to heat. A case with no ventilation? Apple has never fixed it even though they replaced one for this problem. Usually unplugging it for a while to let it cool solves the problem for a while. I don't think it is a problem with the Powerbook because when my base station goes, I surf on my neighbor's unpassworded Airport, with his permission.

Yes, after the 10.4.8 update, the AirPort reception on my MacBook Pro is problematic. Connections drop and the old bug where it can't remember your closed network name is back. so much for progress.

It's just not you Jason.

I have the same problems since I updated my MacBook Pro. I also noticed that I cannot run my Airport Extreme Base station with my Airport express as a relay station. I used to before the upgrade. Help please.

found at macfixit.com:

Mac OS X 10.4.8 (#10): Wireless connectivity issues (cont.): Try changing spec for increased speed; Loss of iSight (cont.); more
Wireless connectivity issues (cont.): Try changing spec for increased speed If you are experiencing issues with reduced wireless connectivity speed after updating to Mac OS X 10.4.8, you may want to try changing the wireless specification mode used by your router. Try switching from 802.11g to 802.11b, for instance.

MacFixIt reader Randy Smith writes:

"Since upgrading to Mac OS X 10.4.8 my airport 802.11b cards speeds have been all over the place. From over 3Mbs down close to dial-up speeds. I tried all the old fixes, combo updater, turning off IvP6 and even the hints listed here. Nothing seemed to help.

"I connected to Linksys 54G wireless router and changed the connection type from mixed mode to just 802.11b. I have no 802.11g devices so it is no big deal. I have always kept it on mixed mode and never had problems. Changing it to just 802.11b brought my speed back to normal. No speed drops, no unresponsive connections."

I have two MBP 2.16ghz, 15" , both have been upgraded to 10.4.8 - also have airport base station and airport express. I have had no problems on my home network - although, My base stations require no key - this may be why I am not seeing this problem. Try turning off the security on your base station to see if it makes any difference...Hope this helps...

I have 3 Airport Express and 1 Linksys 54g and did notice some change after 10.4.8 update on my iMac G5 2.0, MacMini Intel and MacBook Pro 15" 2.0. In closer range, the signal is better and less fluctuation, when the range is farther away, the signal strength weakens much more than pre-10.4.8. I also had problems with being asked of passcode again even thought it is in the keychain and nothing had changed. The Windows machines operated as normal. I checked my firmware on the Airport Express which were 6.0, 6.1 and 6.1 and I updated them all to 6.3. After the update all is back to normal for me. The connection to Linksys 54g was normal and didn't have any change in connectivity. Also note that I didn't have poor performance issue, just erratic signal strength and connectivity when farther away from any of the Airport Express station.

I have a MB 2GHz, 2GB RAM, 120HD (yes, I was an idiot and paid $150 more just for black. Oh, and yes, problematic AirPort issues after 10.4.8 update, not to mention some hangs and seemingly slower performance. Not happy about this one.

I have a 1Ghz TiBook with 1Gb Ram with multiple partitions. On my Tiger partition, everything was running fast with no issues under 10.4.7. Now, after the 10.4.8 update, accessing Mail or Safari brings up the dreaded spinning beach ball and I wait and wait for commands to execute. This sluggishness appears under both ethernet wired connection and airport wireless connections, but seems much more pronounced when connecting through the airport. It is so slow, it is nearly useless, although the speeds will intermittently pick up as if to taunt me. I have resorted to booting into my Panther 10.3.9 partition and am speeding along without delays. I suspect there is something dreadfully wrong with the 10.4.8 update. It affects wired and wireless internet conncections, but is much more pronounced under wireless connections. Thank goodness for a second partition with Panther. Now I wish I had a 10.4.7 partition.... I should have waited a week (like I usually do) before installing 10.4.8 to check for anomalies. I guess I have learned my lesson.

I've had more problems with my dual 2.7 G5 with the 10.4.8 update than any other. My G5 pops up now with a "Video card error" prompt when trying to do a video iChat with my external Firewire camera, I'm getting lots of "Circle with slash" on startups and on my Powerbook 1.5Ghz G4 I'm getting login keychain access problems with prompts it can't find the login file and my Mail won't take a password manually now! I've learned my lesson about "if it ain't broke, don't fix it.:

I am having a similar problem. I have a PowerBook G4, and a wireless Linksys network at home. I have PC's and my PowerBook, all working fine. Then, this week, my PowerBook all of the sudden stopped connecting to the Internet - either wirelessly or connected vie ethernet.

I have never had this problem with my PowerBook!

I did everything I could think of. Called AppleCare and after an hour with them, nothing. They don't know what's wrong. I told them it was 10.4.8. They don't believe me.

I wish I could roll back to 10.4.7!!!

I never used Coconut Wifi and I'am experiencing wifi loosness. Please, Help me!!!. Since I upgrade to 10.4.8 wifi is useless from my iBook G4