Apple AirPort Express Base Station with 802.11n and AirTunes
The AirPort Express Base Station with 802.11n and AirTunes from Apple is a compact wireless base station. The device can act as an Internet router for up to 10 users, or can be used to extend the range of an existing wireless network.
The AirPort Express also supports wireless printing for USB printers. It also has a hybrid analog/digital audio jack, allowing you to connect it to a stereo system or surround sound receiver. You'll be able to use it to stream music wirelessly to the stereo from any computer in your network that has iTunes installed.
- 802.11n Wi-Fi
- The AirPort Express fully supports the draft 802.11n protocol. This iteration of Wi-Fi is up to five times faster and can cover twice the area of previous standards. Of course, it is fully backwards compatible with 802.11a, 802.11g, and 802.11b networks.
- Wireless Printing
- Connect a USB printer to the AirPort Express to enjoy wireless printing. You'll be able to print from any computer in your network.
- AirTunes Music Streaming
- The AirPort Express allows you to stream music to a stereo receiver. It features a minijack with optical audio support for connection. You can easily select the AirPort as an audio source in iTunes, allowing you to control the music from your computer. 1
- Compact and Portable
- The AirPort Express has been designed with portability in mind. It's easy to move it to another area of your home where Wi-Fi connectivity may be spotty. You can also take it on the road with you; hotels often offer free wired Internet, but charge for Wi-Fi in a room. Plug the AirPort Express into the hotel Ethernet and voila, your own private Wi-Fi.
- Cross Platform Compatibility
- Don't fret if you are still trapped in the Windows world; the AirPort Express works equally well with Windows and Macintosh computers. Software is included for Windows XP SP2, Vista, and Mac OS X v10.4 or later. This software allows you to configure the base station. Once configured, any computer capable of Wi-Fi can connect to the network without any special software.
Go To
| Base Station | |
|---|---|
| Standards | Draft 802.11n, 802.11g, 802.11b, 802.11a |
| Network Protocol | TCP/IP |
| Data Rate |
802.11g: 54Mbps 802.11b: 11Mbps |
| Frequency Range | 2.4GHz or 5GHz |
| Channel Support |
Channels 1-11, 36-48, and 149-165 approved for use in the United States and Canada Channels 1-14 and 36-64 approved for use in Japan Channels 1-13 and 36-140 approved for use in Europe Channels 1-13, 36-64 and 149-165 approved for use in Australia, Hong Kong, and New Zealand |
| Security |
Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA/WPA2) Wireless security (WEP) configurable for 40-bit and 128-bit encryption MAC address filtering NAT firewall Support for RADIUS authentication 802.1X, PEAP, LEAP, TTLS, TLS, FAST Time-based access control |
| Antenna | Internal |
| Operation Distance | Not Specified by Manufacturer |
| Transmitted Power | 20dBm |
| Power Over Ethernet | None |
| Ports |
1x 10/100Mbps Ethernet (RJ-45) 1x USB 1x 1/8" (3.5mm) audio minijack for analog or optical digital sound |
| General | |
|---|---|
| System Requirements |
Windows XP, Vista; Mac OS X v10.4 or above for configuration and AirTunes Mac OS X v10.2.7 or above for USB printing |
| Power Requirements | AC: 100-240VAC, 50-60Hz |
| Dimensions (WxHxD) | 3.7 x 3 x 1.1" (9.4 x 7.5 x 2.9cm) |
| Weight | 0.42 lb (0.19kg) |
REVIEW SNAPSHOT®
by PowerReviews(based on 119 reviews)
Ratings Distribution
99%
of respondents would recommend this to a friend.
Pros
- Small (93)
- Fast (82)
- Highly compatible (75)
- Secure (57)
- Easy to set up (50)
Cons
- Unreliable (3)
Best Uses
- Home (95)
- Small office (53)
- Secure networks (27)
- Large office (9)
- Reviewer Profile:
- High bandwidth user (87), Low bandwidth user (19)
- Primary use:
- Personal (94), Business (20)
- Computer Platform:
- Mac (26), PC (6)
Most Liked Positive Review
Digital Music Beats Docked MP3 Player
The Airport Express will extend a wireless network further throughout your house, it will present an iTunes library to your home theater system from any computer on your network, and it will do all ...Read complete review
The Airport Express will extend a wireless network further throughout your house, it will present an iTunes library to your home theater system from any computer on your network, and it will do all this with a level of complexity nearing that of a toaster oven.
The coolest thing AirPort Express allows me to do, however, is to improve my music quality. Docking an iPod near your receiver will give you a huge library -- no question -- and allow you to pause and play and so forth using Apple's little white remote. Nice.
REALLY nice is being able to use your iPhone to tell the computer that's pushing audio to the AirPort Express that you want to change playlists, change volume, skip or replay songs ... check out other songs on the album ... scroll through the entire library with a nice graphical interface ... and from anywhere on your network being able to have your music do what you like. AND: AirportExpress supports mini-digital optical out. Since your receiver has Toslink inputs, you can get WAY better final sound using the AirPort Express than you can with the iPod.
Nice receivers have high-end digital-to-analog conversion designed to give superior sound from clean digital sources. Assuming you use lossless encoding and Toslink input to your receiver, you will get a world better sound from your music collection than you would by relying on the DAC in the iPod or other music player. Your portable music player just doesn't have the DAC of a high-end receiver that isn't constrained by space or power and isn't expecting tiny earbuds from most listeners.
I really liked the sound from my docked music player, but the digital audio out from the AirportExpress is so crisp and makes sounds so clear that what I previously liked seems shockingly muddy by comparison.
VS
Most Liked Negative Review
works...kind of
*used to stream itunes to my stereo
*can access all my digital music on my stereo
*bad: audio drop-outs every 30 seconds or so when streamed from my 7 yr old deskto...Read complete review
*used to stream itunes to my stereo
*can access all my digital music on my stereo
*bad: audio drop-outs every 30 seconds or so when streamed from my 7 yr old desktop running XP, on a Pentium processor and 3/4 gig of ram. Works fine when streamed from my laptop, via library sharing from my desktop!!! How strange is that? Recommendation based on having a setup that does not produce audio dropouts. If not, you'll be upset. I sort of have a setup that works, so I'm only sort of upset.
Reviewed by 119 customers
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Displaying reviews 1-20
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Pros
- Easy To Setup
- Fast
- Highly Compatible
- Secure
- Small
Cons
Best Uses
- Home
Comments about Apple AirPort Express Base Station with 802.11n and AirTunes:
Airport Express is fabulous! We have two Mac's and one HP accessing the Internet. Connection is swift and consistent. With all three connected at once, we have yet to lose the connection or experience any problems. Highly recommend!
- Primary use:
- Personal
- Computer Platform:
- Mac
Pros
- Easy To Setup
- Fast
- Highly Compatible
- Small
Cons
Best Uses
- Home
Comments about Apple AirPort Express Base Station with 802.11n and AirTunes:
Great for extending network
- Primary use:
- Personal
- Computer Platform:
- Mac
Pros
- Easy To Setup
- Fast
- Highly Compatible
- Secure
- Small
Cons
- Temperature
Best Uses
- Home
- Large Office
- Secure Networks
- Small Office
Comments about Apple AirPort Express Base Station with 802.11n and AirTunes:
If this is the first review I feel it deserves five stars even Though I have not explored all the features of this product.
Speed: I was able to stream Movies with no buffering or interruptions to a 26" monitor via wireless.
It is easy to set up once you understand how. PC users I recommend downloading airport utility from the apple website it will make your life easier than switching to a Mac to troubleshoot. (At one point I did experience dropped Internet connections which I believe was an issue due to my settings for the base station.) Downloading the airport utility for PC helped much.
Eventually we are able to broadcast music TO a set of speakers plugged into the AirPort Express using iTunes.
I have not yet attempted to set up a network printer.
(I can say the network speakers were a hit.)
Again, I believe this unit is easy to use and set up ONCE YOU UNDERSTAND HOW.
Cons: I runs kind of hot. (Another way of thinking; If an external transformer was used the transformer likely would get hot and just add more to a clutter of devices and wires.)
The cordless compact design could be a plus or a minus. If you plug the unit into a wall socket it is a plus if you plug it into a power strip it takes up room to plug other devices. Not much of an issue it can be fixed with a cheap extension cord.
I guess the instruction book could be a little better. (There is tech support.)
As for my review;
I hope I have been accurate and professional as my ability and my grammar is in proper order.
- Primary use:
- Personal
Pros
- Easy To Setup
- Fast
- Highly Compatible
- Small
Cons
Best Uses
- Home
- Small Office
Comments about Apple AirPort Express Base Station with 802.11n and AirTunes:
APPLE has a great business model-- turn it on and it works! What a concept!
It's an APPLE product--what else needs to said!
- Primary use:
- Personal
- Computer Platform:
- Mac
Pros
- Easy To Setup
- Fast
- Highly Compatible
- Small
Cons
Best Uses
- Home
- Secure Networks
- Small Office
Comments about Apple AirPort Express Base Station with 802.11n and AirTunes:
I purchased the AirPort Express Base Station because I was looking for AirPlay Speakers and couldn't find any I liked in my price range. After reading a review on Terry White's blog about how he used AirPort Expresses to set up his studio (terrywhite.com/techblog/archives/8873) I decided to give it a try. It was very easy to set up with my MacBook Pro, iPad, and iPod - all now able to stream music and podcasts wirelessly to the computer speakers I had on hand. Just plug some powered speakers with a headphone jack type input into the Airport Express and plug the Airport Express into the wall. The Airport Express initially shows up as a network device and the Airport Utility launches and guides you through the short setup. It works great! Now I want to buy another one or two!
- Primary use:
- Personal
- Computer Platform:
- Mac
Pros
- Easy To Setup
- Fast
- Small
Cons
Best Uses
- Home
Comments about Apple AirPort Express Base Station with 802.11n and AirTunes:
great product to seamlessly stream itunes throughout our home!! Easy set up. Another great Apple product.
- Primary use:
- Personal
- Computer Platform:
- PC
Pros
- Highly Compatible
- Secure
- Small
Cons
Best Uses
- Home
- Secure Networks
Comments about Apple AirPort Express Base Station with 802.11n and AirTunes:
I use it to stream iTunes stuff on my desktop computer upstairs to my home stereo downstairs. It works best with the Airport Extreme, which I have. Previous dLink router didn't play well. Also improves reception of iPads when I am downstairs.
Signal gets wobbly sometimes -- lots of other wireless gadgets like phones, remote controls, iPads working at the same time at my place.
Extra fun: Connect a JBL wireless transmitter to your stereo, stream sound back to separate upstairs speakers at the same time, adjust the volume just right, and you can travel through time. Seriously, the resulting echo from the millisecond delay is fun.
- Primary use:
- Personal
- Computer Platform:
- PC
Pros
- Easy To Setup
- Fast
- Highly Compatible
- Secure
- Small
Cons
Best Uses
- Home
- Large Office
- Secure Networks
- Small Office
Comments about Apple AirPort Express Base Station with 802.11n and AirTunes:
Great at home business an hotel rooms
Improve your way to do great works
- Primary use:
- Personal
- Computer Platform:
- Mac
Pros
- Easy To Setup
- Fast
- Highly Compatible
- Small
Cons
Best Uses
- Home
- Small Office
Comments about Apple AirPort Express Base Station with 802.11n and AirTunes:
Great to extend a wifi range or play music.
- Primary use:
- Personal
- Computer Platform:
- Mac
Pros
- Easy To Setup
- Fast
- Highly Compatible
- Small
Cons
Best Uses
- Large Office
Comments about Apple AirPort Express Base Station with 802.11n and AirTunes:
I purchased this to help create a wireless connection between 2 computers. I've got one on one floor, and the second on another floor, divided by lots of space and a very thick stone wall. The signal is consistently strong.
- Primary use:
- Business
- Computer Platform:
- Mac
Pros
- Easy To Setup
- Fast
Cons
Best Uses
- Home
- Small Office
Comments about Apple AirPort Express Base Station with 802.11n and AirTunes:
Used the product to stream iTunes to my AV receiver. I already have a local presence with a switch, so disabled the wireless feature - works like a champ.
- Primary use:
- Personal
- Computer Platform:
- PC
Pros
- Easy To Setup
- Fast
- Highly Compatible
- Small
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Apple AirPort Express Base Station with 802.11n and AirTunes:
I bought this in combination with a pair of speakers (DUET II HIGH-PERF. 2-PIECE SPEAKER SYS) to play music in my kitchen, using my iPhone as a remote for the iTunes on my Mac. I could not be happier with this setup. It's small enough to sit on top of the fridge, sounds great, and the only part of the system I have to handle is the iPhone.
- Primary use:
- Personal
- Computer Platform:
- Mac
Pros
- Easy To Setup
- Fast
- Highly Compatible
- Secure
- Small
Cons
Best Uses
- Home
- Small Office
Comments about Apple AirPort Express Base Station with 802.11n and AirTunes:
Like Steve Jobs used to say... "it just works".
- Primary use:
- Personal
- Computer Platform:
- Mac
Pros
- Easy To Setup
- Fast
- Highly Compatible
Cons
Best Uses
- Home
Comments about Apple AirPort Express Base Station with 802.11n and AirTunes:
Works like a charm, good range, easy to set up and configure, good value compared to other products.
I use it as a network extender.
- Primary use:
- Personal
- Computer Platform:
- Mac
Pros
- Easy To Setup
- Small
Cons
Best Uses
- On the road
Comments about Apple AirPort Express Base Station with 802.11n and AirTunes:
Easy to configure if you're an all-Apple shop.
Streaming music to your stereo from iTunes is nice.
The power supplies are a bit flaky and tend to die after a few years.
Great for traveling.
- Primary use:
- Personal
- Computer Platform:
- Mac
Pros
- Easy To Setup
- Fast
- Highly Compatible
- Small
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Apple AirPort Express Base Station with 802.11n and AirTunes:
I am using this with a wireless router to be able to dial in projectors in a concert setting around the arena. I simply placed one of these beside each projector and came out of the RJ-45 port to the projector. I was able to work on projectors from one location with my laptop instead of going to each projector several times. Works great.
- Primary use:
- Business
- Computer Platform:
- Mac
Pros
- Easy To Setup
- Fast
- Small
Cons
Best Uses
- Home
- Small Office
Comments about Apple AirPort Express Base Station with 802.11n and AirTunes:
The Airport Express was simple to set up, except there seems to be no option to program it to always allow traffic to and from my proxy service. Since it works most of the time, that hasn't been a big problem, but it's something the manufacturer needs to address. My Linksys WRT54G is programmable in that respect, so an Apple product should be, also.
I particularly don't like the fact that the Airport Express has to be plugged directly into an outlet. My solution was to run an extension cord from the outlet to the place where I wanted the router to be, but that is a sloppy solution.
The range of the Airport Express is much better than my Linksys, which is the primary reason I purchased it. I've never experienced any problems with connecting my laptop to it from any room in our 2,600 sq. ft. home, as well as from the deck.
- Primary use:
- Personal
- Computer Platform:
- PC
Pros
- Easy To Setup
- Fast
- Highly Compatible
- Secure
- Small
Cons
Best Uses
- Home
- Secure Networks
- Small Office
Comments about Apple AirPort Express Base Station with 802.11n and AirTunes:
I use it as network router with an ethernet modem, and also at the same time for wireless printing. My second AirPort Express puts my home stereo system
on my wireless network, so I listen to web radio, podcasts and computer music collections. The the second unit also strengthens the network signal in its area.
- Primary use:
- Personal
- Computer Platform:
- Mac
Pros
- Easy To Setup
- Fast
- Secure
- Small
Cons
Best Uses
- Home
Comments about Apple AirPort Express Base Station with 802.11n and AirTunes:
Very easy to connect to.
I am using it on my home network to stream movies via Apple TV.
Makes a great connection. I am using it with the Airport Extreme and I have no problems at all.
I cannot find anything negative about this item.
- Primary use:
- Personal
- Computer Platform:
- Mac
Pros
- Easy To Setup
- Fast
- Highly Compatible
- Secure
- Small
Cons
Best Uses
- Home
- Large Office
- Secure Networks
- Small Office
Comments about Apple AirPort Express Base Station with 802.11n and AirTunes:
I hooked up the AirPort Express Base Station to an old receiver in the garage that runs my outdoor speakers. I'm playing my iTunes library wirelessly, and using my iPhone 4 as the remote. Hey, no more headphones . . . I'm free :-)
I hacked through setup using an ethernet cable hooked to my router, disconnected and now it works anywhere I plug it in! GREAT PRODUCT - Bob
- Primary use:
- Personal
- Computer Platform:
- PC
Displaying reviews 1-20
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Cables & Adapters
- Price: $3.95
What's in the Box
- Software CD-ROM with AirPort Utility and 802.11n Enabler
- Printed and Electronic Documentation
- 1-Year Limited Warranty
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