I am debating on getting the Airport Extreme but I am not sure as to what benefits it offers over a Linksys/D-Link/Netgear 802.11n router. Can anyone enlighten me?
Man, I hate that construction: "convince me." Convince yourself--you know your needs, ample information is on the web about both products, and if you have specific questions about using either one that you want people to respond to, feel free to post further.
Set-up and user interface is almost the only difference... once set up, a router is a router... it might as well be invisible.
The big "difference" feature with the Apple Airport is it's USB port which can host printers and drives. Any USB drive can become a networked drive... much cheaper than a Ethernet enabled drive. Same for printers. And you can plug in a USB hub so that you can "host" any number of printers/drives from the Airport.
But if you're not gonna use that feature, and you can handle a poor interface for initial set-up, then you might as well go with whatever's cheapest.
Looks good, nice software, easy set-up, good reception according to reviews, Apple usually provides better customer support. I'd rather pay more and just be very sure I was never going to have many problems. I can't afford to waste time on such a silly thing as a wireless router, and I suspect most people are like that nowadays. When I get my iPhone in 2008, or my Apple TV with a slot load DVD drive, I'll be snapping up an Airport Extreme there and then.
Same for printers. And you can plug in a USB hub so that you can "host" any number of printers/drives from the Airport.
I have a G4 tower with no wi-fi. Is there any way I could use the system you outlined? I see USB gadgets with wi-fi capability advertised. If I plug one into my computer, would that work if the printer is plugged into the base station?
I have a G4 tower with no wi-fi. Is there any way I could use the system you outlined? I see USB gadgets with wi-fi capability advertised. If I plug one into my computer, would that work if the printer is plugged into the base station?
Do you mean a wi-fi "dongle" that plugs into your USB port ? That will then give your G4 WiFi capability ?... In that case, then yes, you'd have access to any printers/drives connected to the Airport.
Ergh...I didn't mean the Extreme - I meant the basic Airport (the $180 one). It's a bit pricey but I expect it's that way for a reason....that's the one I need to know about
Ergh...I didn't mean the Extreme - I meant the basic Airport (the $180 one). It's a bit pricey but I expect it's that way for a reason....that's the one I need to know about
That is the Extreme. And like others have said, the only reason to go with the AirPort Extreme is if the extra features or ease of setup are worth the price premium to you.
Comments
The big "difference" feature with the Apple Airport is it's USB port which can host printers and drives. Any USB drive can become a networked drive... much cheaper than a Ethernet enabled drive. Same for printers. And you can plug in a USB hub so that you can "host" any number of printers/drives from the Airport.
But if you're not gonna use that feature, and you can handle a poor interface for initial set-up, then you might as well go with whatever's cheapest.
Same for printers. And you can plug in a USB hub so that you can "host" any number of printers/drives from the Airport.
I have a G4 tower with no wi-fi. Is there any way I could use the system you outlined? I see USB gadgets with wi-fi capability advertised. If I plug one into my computer, would that work if the printer is plugged into the base station?
I have a G4 tower with no wi-fi. Is there any way I could use the system you outlined? I see USB gadgets with wi-fi capability advertised. If I plug one into my computer, would that work if the printer is plugged into the base station?
Do you mean a wi-fi "dongle" that plugs into your USB port ? That will then give your G4 WiFi capability ?... In that case, then yes, you'd have access to any printers/drives connected to the Airport.
Do they do 5ghz like the AE.n does? a lot of routers say .n but still only in 2.4ghz
Yes, there is a 5GHz mode.
Ergh...I didn't mean the Extreme - I meant the basic Airport (the $180 one). It's a bit pricey but I expect it's that way for a reason....that's the one I need to know about
That is the Extreme. And like others have said, the only reason to go with the AirPort Extreme is if the extra features or ease of setup are worth the price premium to you.