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Sat, Jul 04, 2009 - 05:35 PM EDT — AAPL: 140.02 (-2.81, -1.97%) | NASDAQ: 1796.52 (-49.20, -2.67%)

Apple introduces new AirPort Express with 802.11n

Monday, March 17, 2008 - 08:32 AM EDT

Apple today updated its AirPort Express mobile base station with 802.11n to deliver up to five times the performance and twice the range of the previous model. Priced at US$99, AirPort Express is the world's smallest 802.11n-based mobile base station. It can be plugged directly into the wall for wireless Internet connectivity and USB printing at home or easily brought on the road for wireless freedom wherever there is an Internet connection. AirPort Express features AirTunes, which works seamlessly with iTunes to give users a simple and inexpensive way to wirelessly stream iTunes music from a PC or Mac to any room in the house.

"Apple is leading the way with a broad range of innovative 802.11n base stations for almost any wireless networking need," said Philip Schiller, Apple's senior vice president of Worldwide Product Marketing. "From the small and portable AirPort Express, to AirPort Extreme for workgroups of up to 50 users and the new Time Capsule for automated backups, Apple customers now have more great ways to extend their wireless networks with 802.11n."

AirPort Express features a single-piece, compact design weighing just 6.7 ounces, providing maximum portability. AirPort Express offers both PC and Mac users the ability to share a single DSL or cable broadband connection with up to 10 simultaneous users. Users can also share a printer wirelessly that is connected to the USB port. Apple's AirPort Utility software provides easy step-by-step instructions for setting up and configuring AirPort Express; and with its advanced security features, AirPort Express safeguards data on networked computers with support for Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA/WPA2), 128-bit WEP encryption and a built-in firewall. Apple now includes 802.11n as standard in its entire line of AirPort base stations and Mac notebooks as well as iMac, Apple TV and Time Capsule.

AirPort Express includes a built-in combination digital and analog audio connector allowing users to connect to a home stereo or powered speakers. iTunes automatically detects remote speakers and displays them in a simple pop-up list for the user to select. Once the remote speakers are selected, AirTunes wirelessly streams iTunes music from the computer to the AirPort Express base station. Multiple AirPort Express base stations can be set up around a home, each connected to a set of powered speakers for a whole-home music experience. AirPort Express can also extend the range of an existing AirPort Extreme wireless network.

AirPort Express is available immediately through the Apple Store, Apple's retail stores and Apple Authorized Resellers for a suggested retail price of $99.

More info about Apple's new Airport Express here.

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Mar 17, 08 - 08:40 am Comment from: Shogun

Does it come with Swiss Cheese and Whine?

Mar 17, 08 - 08:53 am Comment from: marchingbear

Does this mean it is as fast as the Airport Extreme? My last express dumbed my network speed down quite a bit.

Mar 17, 08 - 09:00 am Comment from: Mr. Reeee

marchingbear...

Yup. Did you read the article?

Mar 17, 08 - 09:04 am Comment from: Mr. Reeee

Can these things be used to extend an AirPort Extreme network's coverage?

I assume it can be done.

Good update and price!

Mar 17, 08 - 09:10 am Comment from: ichef

But is it snapper??

Mar 17, 08 - 09:18 am Comment from: AE

imagine an airport express with built in 3G

Mar 17, 08 - 09:19 am Comment from: @ MR REEEE

Yes, they can be used as an extender. When you set it up you choose either to create a new network or to join an existing one.

Mar 17, 08 - 09:33 am Comment from: One big question...

...yes, but will it blend?

Mar 17, 08 - 09:52 am Comment from: Willie G

geez, it's about freakin' time

Mar 17, 08 - 10:04 am Comment from: Ampar

Ironically, traveling with one could slow down your trip as a baffled Transportation Security Officer sniffs and licks your unit.

Mar 17, 08 - 10:05 am Comment from: Wendall

You can also set it up as a WDS base station to extend your range.

Mar 17, 08 - 10:08 am Comment from: Brau

Now, Apple, all we need is those Rev N Airport cards. For all of us stuck with Rev b/g wireless cards the new Airport Express/Extreme won't help unless we upgrade both units.

Mar 17, 08 - 10:21 am Comment from: Parker

Can you backup using Time Machine to an external USB HDD?

Mar 17, 08 - 11:00 am Comment from: ping

Parker: Can you backup using Time Machine to an external USB HDD?

No, it only supports USB printers, no USB harddisks.

Mar 17, 08 - 11:02 am Comment from: Back2Mac

@Ampar

You said "sniffs and licks your unit."

Mar 17, 08 - 11:02 am Comment from: Jubei

Only 99 bucks. Great bargain, super easy to set up, even to add as an extra for the home or small office.

Mar 17, 08 - 11:04 am Comment from: Ampar

"You said 'sniffs and licks your unit.'"

And the cheap bastards won't even buy you dinner or a movie first.

Mar 17, 08 - 11:12 am Comment from: Macintosh

I have the older one. It is plugged into some JBL speakers to stream music, and it also extends the range of my Airport Extreme base station. These little guys are awesome.

I also travel a lot, and since most hotels have an Ethernet cable in the room I just plug the cable into it, then into the wall. 5 second wireless set up. It hasn't failed me yet, and is always faster than a hotels wireless set up, since the routers are never near my room.

Mar 17, 08 - 11:59 am Comment from: Jake

I've been waiting for this upgrade to buy one! Now, if only Apple would update the iMac line...

Mar 17, 08 - 12:30 pm Comment from: Hg Wells

I was concerned they may have discontinued this since it languished so long without an update. I've had one for years and it's very handy. Glad it's still alive.

Mar 17, 08 - 01:01 pm Comment from: Steev

I love my (older) Expresses.
I have one hooked up via optical to my living room AV receiver and it also feeds my PS2 via Ethernet while acting as a WiFi network bridge.

And the second one is hooked up to my Master Bedroom AV Receiver (also acting as a WiFi network bridge).

It's sooo cool using Airtunes to stream the same music in both area's of my house.

Mar 17, 08 - 01:02 pm Comment from: hairbo

I am Apple's bitch. I'm going to replace my 802.11g AE with this one so that my whole network is 802.11n.

I don't believe in bottled water, but if Apple started selling it, I might wind up with a few hundred cases.

O, I wanted an Airport Extra, as in an Extra ethernet port, so I could wire my Slingbox to it.

Mar 17, 08 - 05:53 pm Comment from: ken1w

> Can these things be used to extend an AirPort Extreme network's coverage?

Yes. The Include Airport Utility (version 5) makes it very easy to do. I used my old Airport Express from 2004 that way (but it recently stopped working).

I hope it's the exact same shape so it fits on my Griffin Airbase.

Mar 17, 08 - 08:31 pm Comment from: Whatever

I use it to hook an older mac without an airport card to my network down stairs it makes a good ethernet bridge.

Mar 17, 08 - 09:01 pm Comment from: KevinOpp

anyone want to wager a guess as to how much further it'll throw the signal? currently i have the older express beaming my base station 802.11n signal to my front yard, but i've been trying for a while to eke the signal a bit further so it reaches my dad's house on our property. all of the computer's we have are 802.11n, but the 802.11g express just can't quite make it to his house.

Mar 17, 08 - 10:58 pm Comment from: justaJoe

Tech specs show 10/100 Ethernet. So what is the advantage? IMHO it makes no sense to do an 802.11n AP without Gigabit Ethernet. I was going to buy two to replace my 802.11g AXs, but there is no point since I won't see any performance gains (marginal) in moving files around my LAN.

And since no Service Provider is likely to be above even 50Mbps anytime soon, there is no need to even look at 802.11n for a WAN connection device.

IMHO, the short of it is that 802.11n benefit currently is LAN-to-LAN throughput, and to take advantage of that you need GigE Ethernet.

Justajoe

Mar 18, 08 - 12:47 am Comment from: Damn it!

I just bought an Express last month to replace my D-Link piece of junk. Somehow I always buy things at just the wrong time.

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Sat, Jul 04, 2009 - 05:35 PM EDT — AAPL: 140.02 (-2.81, -1.97%) | NASDAQ: 1796.52 (-49.20, -2.67%)

Apple introduces new AirPort Express with 802.11n

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Sat, Jul 04, 2009 - 05:35 PM EDT — AAPL: 140.02 (-2.81, -1.97%) | NASDAQ: 1796.52 (-49.20, -2.67%)

Apple introduces new AirPort Express with 802.11n

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