Is it basically a portable Airport base station? Does it recieve wireless signals? How is it wireless if it uses wires to plug into the wall and the computer?
I just don't understand what it is and what's so great about it.
it took me a while, too, but here's what i have gathered...
first, if you travel with a laptop, its size will be a boon. you won't have to tote an airport extreme (or whatever router) just to be able to get wireless connections.
yes, it needs to be tethered to SOME sort of internet connection... that dependency hasn't left yet. it's also not battery powered, so it requires the ac connection.
the audio connection separates it from airport extreme so far as a way to wirelessly stream music from a recognized device on the airport network (can be laptop, or desktop with airport card) to a connected audio output system.
plus, if you have not yet bought ANY airport base station yet, it's cheaper than the extreme station, with almost all the bells and whistles.
but if you're like me, it's tough to toss a perfectly functional linksys router just to be able to share a printer without being tethered to a computer or streaming audio.
i thought the airport extreme base station had usb printre sharing, too... or did i just dream that?
also, does this mean that, for every "pro" or "extreme" or "power" product apple releases, they have, in the works, an "express" or "mini" or "i" variant? sure seems like a trend...
It can handle both WiFi and cabled networks simultaneously, it can handle 5x the clients, it has either a modem or antenna jack, PowerOverEthernet is an option, and it has features and admin software geared for commercial environments.
It does more, except for AirTunes.
AirPort Express is the WiFi router for the home consumer.
That only means it's not applicable as a router for both a wired LAN and wireless LAN. If you already have a wired LAN, then plug one cable into this, turn off its DHCP and NAT, and voila, WiFi has been added to your LAN. Your cabled router handles the details instead.
If, however, you're like many people who have WiFi laptops, then this is all you need.
Again, this is a home consumer plug-and-play device, or a network extender, not a do-everything-for-everyone solution. Look to the more robust big brothers for that.
If I want to surf wirelessly and listen to airtunes, do I need 2 airport express units. One connected to the modem and one connected to the stereo? That's not cheap.
I was going to say that and then I thought I would keep my mouth shut for once where I am ignorant of such things.
So for home and personal use, think of it as a really big price break on Airport, finally.
All you have to do is buy a cheap 4 port switch/router (depending on what you need) and the Airport Express is the same thing as the regular Airport unless you need a modem.
Plus, if you already have a wireless router (like regular base station or another brand), you can just plug the AirPort Express module into an outlet within the range of the main station (which is connected to the internet) and it bridges the network automatically -- really cool for people already set up with AirPort cards in the computer or with an exisitng base station. I wonder if Apple would think about offering a family pack at a discounted rate -- like 5 for $500.
It only extends the current WiFi network if the main base station is an Apple one... 802.11x allows for vendor specific variances that can keep them from interoperating.
Seriously? Well, then I guess it'd be a nice in-small-office or family setup to get two or three of these smaller ones (pending they weren't still on a dialup connection).
Just put a airport card in the Mac, enable internet sharing and you have done what you want.
Sorry, I wasn't specific enough.
Given that computer A doesn't have an AirPort card slot, can the above scenario still work? Will the Internet connection be forwarded from Mac A to the AirPort Express station, and to the other Mac B wirelessly?
Comments
first, if you travel with a laptop, its size will be a boon. you won't have to tote an airport extreme (or whatever router) just to be able to get wireless connections.
yes, it needs to be tethered to SOME sort of internet connection... that dependency hasn't left yet. it's also not battery powered, so it requires the ac connection.
the audio connection separates it from airport extreme so far as a way to wirelessly stream music from a recognized device on the airport network (can be laptop, or desktop with airport card) to a connected audio output system.
plus, if you have not yet bought ANY airport base station yet, it's cheaper than the extreme station, with almost all the bells and whistles.
but if you're like me, it's tough to toss a perfectly functional linksys router just to be able to share a printer without being tethered to a computer or streaming audio.
except that it has USB printer sharing
and it also can stream music to your stereo.
It's also smaller and cheaper. Weird.
Originally posted by Splinemodel
except that it has USB printer sharing
i thought the airport extreme base station had usb printre sharing, too... or did i just dream that?
also, does this mean that, for every "pro" or "extreme" or "power" product apple releases, they have, in the works, an "express" or "mini" or "i" variant? sure seems like a trend...
Also, can't you just use an Airport card to get a wireless internet signal in places where Wi-Fi is available?
Originally posted by dferigmu
So is it basically a portable wireless router?
Yes.
Do you have to plug it into a cable modem?
Yes. Or a DSL modem or an Ethernet plug in your office, dorm, or wired home.
Also, can't you just use an Airport card to get a wireless internet signal in places where Wi-Fi is available?
Yes. Of course. You can use AirPort Express to "make Wi-Fi available" (for up to 10 clients) too.
Originally posted by BuonRotto
It's Airport Extreme without an internal modem and with a stereo out jack. That's pretty much it, isn't it?
Yup. Plus the power-adapter is built-in. No more power brick required.
C.T.
Originally posted by Cold Turkey
Yes.
Yes. Or a DSL modem or an Ethernet plug in your office, dorm, or wired home.
Yes. Of course. You can use AirPort Express to "make Wi-Fi available" (for up to 10 clients) too.
Yup. Plus the power-adapter is built-in. No more power brick required.
C.T.
So then what's the point of an Airport base station? It costs more, it's bigger and it does less.
It does more, except for AirTunes.
AirPort Express is the WiFi router for the home consumer.
Originally posted by BuonRotto
It's Airport Extreme without an internal modem and with a stereo out jack. That's pretty much it, isn't it?
Does not have a single LAN port. That's significant in my book.
If, however, you're like many people who have WiFi laptops, then this is all you need.
Again, this is a home consumer plug-and-play device, or a network extender, not a do-everything-for-everyone solution. Look to the more robust big brothers for that.
Originally posted by Gon
Does not have a single LAN port. That's significant in my book.
I was going to say that and then I thought I would keep my mouth shut for once where I am ignorant of such things.
So for home and personal use, think of it as a really big price break on Airport, finally.
Both can go into the same AExp unit.
Originally posted by BuonRotto
I was going to say that and then I thought I would keep my mouth shut for once where I am ignorant of such things.
So for home and personal use, think of it as a really big price break on Airport, finally.
All you have to do is buy a cheap 4 port switch/router (depending on what you need) and the Airport Express is the same thing as the regular Airport unless you need a modem.
Say I have a Mac, (A), hooked up to the Internet via a 56K modem connection, and this same Mac has an Ethernet cable connected to the AirPort Express.
If another Mac, (B), is nearby with an AirPort Extreme card installed, can B access the Internet, or is this not possible?
Thanks in advance. m.
Originally posted by Merovingian
OK, I apologise if this has been asked already, but there is so much material on the AirPort Express to wade through...
Say I have a Mac, (A), hooked up to the Internet via a 56K modem connection, and this same Mac has an Ethernet cable connected to the AirPort Express.
If another Mac, (B), is nearby with an AirPort Extreme card installed, can B access the Internet, or is this not possible?
Thanks in advance. m.
Just put a airport card in the Mac, enable internet sharing and you have done what you want.
Originally posted by Anders
Just put a airport card in the Mac, enable internet sharing and you have done what you want.
Sorry, I wasn't specific enough.
Given that computer A doesn't have an AirPort card slot, can the above scenario still work? Will the Internet connection be forwarded from Mac A to the AirPort Express station, and to the other Mac B wirelessly?
Thanks. m.