In this article it states that you can connect to any RouterOS via MAC through Winbox:
http://wiki.mikrotik.com/wiki/First_time_startup
I first started using the MT products late in 2.8. I don’t remember being able to do this and I was forced to find a console cable and a tower with a serial port. Is this a new Winbox feature or was I just having some strange problem back then?
I just pulled out some old RB230 which have 2.8 on them and I was able to connect via MAC.
The only possibilities I can think of is either I was having problems or it is a new feature that came out with the new Winbox.
Winbox v2.0.8 pulled from a 2.8.19 MT x86 doesn’t even have the button. Like a combination of both possibilities above.
If your 2.8 box has it then I have no reason to worry - the oldest device around here is early 2.8.
Thanks for testing that for me!