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queens_nyc
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Joined: 05 Mar 2006
Posts: 170
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 Posted: Sun Nov 11, 2007 10:39 am Post subject: AirPort Express or AirPort Extreme? |
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Hi All -- it's been a while since I've posted; hope everyone has been well. I'm setting up a wireless network in my home and am wondering what the main differences are between Apple's AirPort Express and AirPort Extreme Base stations? Is 802.11n noticeably faster than 802.11g (keep in mind I'm using the low-end 768kbps Verizon DSL)? I'll be wirelessly connecting for basic usage (e-mail, Internet, downloading music, etc.) with an Intel Mac Mini and a new MacBook Pro (loving it!). Which product will I be better off with -- Express or Extreme?
Please advise.
_________________
MAC MINI
1.66 GHz Intel Core Duo::1 GB RAM::80 GB HD::Acer AL1916 19" LCD w/ DVI
MACBOOK PRO
15.4"::2.2 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo::2 GB RAM::120 GB HD
AIRPORT
Extreme Base Station w/ Gigabit
iPOD
20 GB::White
80 GB::Silver |
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hackersmovie
Veteran Member
Joined: 07 Nov 2006
Posts: 3080
Location: Maryland, U.S.A
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| Posted: Sun Nov 11, 2007 11:04 am Post subject: |
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Express supports up to 10 users, allows wireless printing from each user and has airtunes...
Extreme has "n", supports up to 50 users, 3 wired ethernet ports for wired/wireless connectivity, USB for sharing drives etc.
So as you can see it depends on your usage. IMO I would forget about 802.11n unless your using an AppleTV. You'll not really see any advantage using your DSL with it.
If you don't need the wired benefit or more than 10 users, I'd opt for the Express, I use one and love it. I print from all 6 machines, no problem. I will say this: if you have 802.11b and 802.11g machines on the network ( I do) when the "b" machines are on it will slow the network a bit, not a big deal just though everyone would like to know....
My 2 cents...
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queens_nyc
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Joined: 05 Mar 2006
Posts: 170
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| Posted: Mon Nov 12, 2007 3:31 pm Post subject: |
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| hackersmovie wrote: | Express supports up to 10 users, allows wireless printing from each user and has airtunes...
Extreme has "n", supports up to 50 users, 3 wired ethernet ports for wired/wireless connectivity, USB for sharing drives etc.
So as you can see it depends on your usage. IMO I would forget about 802.11n unless your using an AppleTV. You'll not really see any advantage using your DSL with it.
If you don't need the wired benefit or more than 10 users, I'd opt for the Express, I use one and love it. I print from all 6 machines, no problem. I will say this: if you have 802.11b and 802.11g machines on the network ( I do) when the "b" machines are on it will slow the network a bit, not a big deal just though everyone would like to know....
My 2 cents... |
Great. Thanks for the input!
Anyone else have anything to add?
_________________
MAC MINI
1.66 GHz Intel Core Duo::1 GB RAM::80 GB HD::Acer AL1916 19" LCD w/ DVI
MACBOOK PRO
15.4"::2.2 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo::2 GB RAM::120 GB HD
AIRPORT
Extreme Base Station w/ Gigabit
iPOD
20 GB::White
80 GB::Silver |
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queens_nyc
Member
Joined: 05 Mar 2006
Posts: 170
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| Posted: Mon Dec 10, 2007 9:37 pm Post subject: |
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| hackersmovie wrote: | Express supports up to 10 users, allows wireless printing from each user and has airtunes...
Extreme has "n", supports up to 50 users, 3 wired ethernet ports for wired/wireless connectivity, USB for sharing drives etc.
So as you can see it depends on your usage. IMO I would forget about 802.11n unless your using an AppleTV. You'll not really see any advantage using your DSL with it.
If you don't need the wired benefit or more than 10 users, I'd opt for the Express, I use one and love it. I print from all 6 machines, no problem. I will say this: if you have 802.11b and 802.11g machines on the network ( I do) when the "b" machines are on it will slow the network a bit, not a big deal just though everyone would like to know....
My 2 cents... |
Wanted to update everyone.
I opted for the Airport Extreme, which was on sale for $161 at Best Buy. In the end, I just couldn't give up the wired capabilities, which would have been the case with the Airport Express.
So far, so good. My Mac Mini is wired to the Extreme, while my MacBook Pro connects wirelessly. It definitely works better than the non-Apple routers I've tried. And, as usual, the design is top-notch. Setup was a breeze.
_________________
MAC MINI
1.66 GHz Intel Core Duo::1 GB RAM::80 GB HD::Acer AL1916 19" LCD w/ DVI
MACBOOK PRO
15.4"::2.2 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo::2 GB RAM::120 GB HD
AIRPORT
Extreme Base Station w/ Gigabit
iPOD
20 GB::White
80 GB::Silver |
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Grover Time
Senior Member
Joined: 06 May 2007
Posts: 344
Location: Californication
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| Posted: Tue Dec 11, 2007 2:27 am Post subject: |
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| I decided to buy one from Apple during the Black Friday sale. This thing is by far the best router that I have ever owned. The range and speeds are incredible. It would be nice to have one more Ethernet port though. And queens_nyc is right about setup, it's a breeze. No regrets so far! |
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Dogpilot
New Member
Joined: 07 Oct 2007
Posts: 7
Location: Flagstaff
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| Posted: Tue Dec 11, 2007 12:06 pm Post subject: |
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The Extreme is soo much better it would be nauseating to go over all the advantages. Main items are: a lot better range, 5 port hub, Airport Disk (very nice indeed if you want to do media in the house), and the ability to go to the 5.8 ghz band.
My home coverage is now complete, were as before, the kitchen and downstairs was spotty. If you upgrade your Mini's internal card, you can go to the 5.8 band and not have you phones knock your connections down.
Oh, did I mention its not a flying saucer anymore! Actually fits on shelves a bit better.
The advantages of printer and disk sharing, along with the range and hub makes it a great product. Now if Apple ever fixes Leopard's Airport Disk function in the 10.5.2 release, it will be cool again. |
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Grover Time
Senior Member
Joined: 06 May 2007
Posts: 344
Location: Californication
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| Posted: Tue Dec 11, 2007 2:27 pm Post subject: |
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| Dogpilot wrote: | | Now if Apple ever fixes Leopard's Airport Disk function in the 10.5.2 release, it will be cool again. |
I would also like to see Apple add the ability to do backups with Time Machine in 10.5.2, but that might be pushing things. |
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queens_nyc
Member
Joined: 05 Mar 2006
Posts: 170
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| Posted: Tue Dec 11, 2007 7:12 pm Post subject: |
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| Grover Time wrote: | | I decided to buy one from Apple during the Black Friday sale. This thing is by far the best router that I have ever owned. The range and speeds are incredible. It would be nice to have one more Ethernet port though. And queens_nyc is right about setup, it's a breeze. No regrets so far! |
So far, it does seem like a great product, although a bit pricey. I have tried a couple non-Apple routers, all with very mixed results. I also tested an Airport Express, which worked very well. My only qualm with the Express is the complete lack of wired capabilities. It'd be nice if they could add one extra ethernet port to the Express so you can wire at least one machine to it. The range on it was very good, too. In the end, I exchanged it for the Extreme.
No regrets thus far.
_________________
MAC MINI
1.66 GHz Intel Core Duo::1 GB RAM::80 GB HD::Acer AL1916 19" LCD w/ DVI
MACBOOK PRO
15.4"::2.2 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo::2 GB RAM::120 GB HD
AIRPORT
Extreme Base Station w/ Gigabit
iPOD
20 GB::White
80 GB::Silver |
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