Setting up a wireless home network may sound like a nightmare to many. However, it has never been easier and there are more products to choose from than you can imagine. There are several companies that manufacture wireless routers, (the equipment needed to set up a wireless network) such as Linksys and Netgear. Apple is another one of these companies and in fact, puts out two very good routers, the AirPort Express and the AirPort Extreme.
The first thing you will notice about the AirPort Extreme is its design. Unlike other routers on the market that have prominent antennas protruding from their bodies, the AirPort Extreme simply looks like a small white box, since all of its antennas are internal. Another aspect of the AirPort Extreme’s design is its simplicity. While most routers have LED indicator lights, the AirPort Extreme has only one large green (orange when there is a problem) light. By default this light will be solid green, however, you can set it up to blink whenever there is network activity. In addition to supporting up to 50 computers wirelessly, the AirPort Extreme also accommodates three additional computers via Ethernet connection. These Ethernet ports are located on the back of the unit and do feature LED indicator lights. The lack of indicator lights on the front of the unit could be both an advantage and disadvantage, depending on your preference.
The AirPort Extreme comes with an installation CD, power adapter, and documentation. One major difference between the AirPort Extreme and other wireless routers is the way it is setup. Whereas other routers require you to configure them within a browser, the AirPort Extreme comes with its own specific software (Mac and PC). For most people this is probably a good thing, as it makes the process of setting up the router more streamlined. In terms of setup, the AirPort Extreme is very easy and shouldn’t take any more than 10 minutes once the unit is all connected. It should also be noted that the AirPort Extreme uses a new type of wireless standard called 802.11n. Since this standard is fairly new, it will only work with the following Apple computers: MacBook Pro with Intel Core 2 Duo; MacBook with Intel Core 2 Duo; Mac Pro with AirPort Extreme option; iMac with Intel Core 2 Duo (except the 17-inch, 1.83GHz iMac). Although these computers are capable of using 802.11n, you will have to run what Apple calls the 802.11n Enabler. This enabler is included with the AirPort Extreme. Also, even though the AirPort Extreme features 802.11n, it is backwards compatible with other standards as well. So, if you are running older Mac computers, there’s no need to worry.
The AirPort Extreme has some very nice features built in, such as a USB port. With the USB port you can wirelessly share a printer or hard drive. The process of setting up a printer is very easy. All you need to do is plug it in and let the software recognize it. For this review I was not able to test the function of sharing a hard drive.
If you use Apple computers in your house and need a powerful router that can accommodate many computers, the AirPort Extreme may be a good bet for you. However, for the vast majority of consumers, the AirPort Express may be the better way to go, as it is significantly cheaper, smaller and provides almost the same range as the AirPort Extreme. You can still share a printer or hard drive with the AirPort Express and in fact, you can even wireless stream music through a feature known as AirTunes. While the AirPort Extreme is a very good router, it is definitely on the expensive side and it is possible to get another router that is just as good, for a fraction of the cost. Nevertheless, the AirPort Extreme is a solid product and should definitely be considered by those looking to set up a home network.
Filed under: Apple, Computers, Mac OS X, Technology Tagged: | AirPort Express, AirPort Extreme, AirTunes, Apple, iMac, Linksys, Mac, Mac Pro, MacBook, MacBook Pro, Netgear
