Airport Extreme: Do You Need A Separate Router?

Apple's Airport Extreme is a line of residential gateways that combine the functions of a router, network switch, wireless access point, and NAS, as well as other functions. However, it is important to note that Airport Extreme is not a modem and cannot replace the modem provided by your ISP. While Airport Extreme can be used to create a wireless network, it still needs to be connected to a modem to provide an internet connection.

What is Apple AirPort?

Apple AirPort is the brand name for Apple's Wi-Fi networking products, which use the regular 802.11b, g, n and ac standards. Apple started selling AirPort devices in 1999, when Wi-Fi was still in its infancy.

AirPort devices are essentially Wi-Fi routers, and there were several models available: AirPort Express, AirPort Extreme, and AirPort Time Capsule. The AirPort Express is a lightweight router designed for music sharing, while the AirPort Extreme is a more powerful router with additional ports and features. The Time Capsule is essentially an AirPort Extreme with a built-in hard drive for wireless file sharing and Time Machine backup.

AirPort devices allowed users to create a wireless internet access point anywhere, stream multimedia to various devices, and extend the range of an existing wireless network. They were also compatible with both Mac and Windows operating systems.

In 2018, Apple announced that it was discontinuing its AirPort routers, citing a shift in focus towards consumer products that generate more revenue.

What are the different types of Apple AirPort devices?

Apple's AirPort is a discontinued line of wireless routers and network cards. The AirPort line was introduced in 1999 and included the following devices:

AirPort Base Station

The original AirPort Base Station, also known as Graphite, was released in July 1999. It featured a dial-up modem and an Ethernet port. A second-generation model, known as Dual Ethernet or Snow, was introduced in November 2001. It featured a second Ethernet port, allowing for a shared internet connection with both wired and wireless clients.

AirPort Extreme Base Station

The AirPort Extreme Base Station was introduced in January 2003 and offered wireless connection speeds of up to 54 Mbit/s. It added an external antenna port and a USB port for sharing a USB printer. The AirPort Extreme has gone through several iterations over the years, with the latest model, the 6th generation, supporting 802.11ac networking.

AirPort Express

The AirPort Express, introduced in June 2004, is a simplified and compact version of the AirPort Extreme. It allows up to 50 networked users and includes a feature called AirTunes (predecessor to AirPlay). The AirPort Express can be used as a wireless access point, an Ethernet-to-wireless bridge, a range extender, or a printer and audio server.

AirPort Time Capsule

The AirPort Time Capsule is a version of the AirPort Extreme with a built-in hard drive, offering either 2 TB or 3 TB of storage. It was introduced in January 2008 and includes software that allows any computer running a reasonably recent version of Mac OS or Windows to access the disk as a shared volume. The Time Capsule can be used as a wireless backup device, allowing automatic, untethered backups of the client computer.

What are the pros and cons of the AirPort Extreme?

The AirPort Extreme is a router that was previously sold by Apple. It has since been discontinued, with Apple announcing the end of the product line in 2018. Here are some pros and cons of the AirPort Extreme:

Pros

• The AirPort Extreme has a sleek and minimalistic design, with a small footprint and no protruding antennas or legs.
• It is easy to access and configure from any OSX or iOS device using the AirPort utility, which is built into all Macs and available on the App Store for iDevices.
• It can handle up to 50 simultaneous connections, making it suitable for modern homes with multiple devices.
• It offers fast WiFi speeds, with a theoretical throughput of 450 Mbps on the 2.4GHz band and 1300 Mbps on the 5GHz band.
• It has a built-in internal power supply, so there is no need for an external power brick.
• It is reliable and stable, with some users reporting that it runs without issues for years.
• It allows for easy network drive setup and is compatible with both Mac and Windows.
• It has a USB 2.0 port for connecting printers or hard drives.
• It supports simultaneous dual-band broadcasting, with support for all wireless bands.
• It has a one-year warranty, and Apple provides additional support through its website and in-person at Apple Stores.

Cons

• The AirPort Extreme is expensive, with a price of £199/$199.
• It lacks some advanced features such as parental controls, Quality of Service (QoS), and VPN support.
• It only has three Gigabit LAN ports, whereas its competitors typically have four.
• It does not support Stateful Packet Inspection (SPI) for screening network packets.
• It only has a USB 2.0 port and lacks a USB 3.0 port.
• Some settings changes require a full reboot of the device.

Overall, the AirPort Extreme is a premium wireless router that offers excellent performance and design. However, it is lacking in some advanced features, and its high price tag may be a deterrent for some.

How does the AirPort Extreme compare to other routers?

The AirPort Extreme is a router produced by Apple. Apple discontinued the AirPort line in 2018, and the last updates to the AirPort Extreme were made in 2013.

The AirPort Extreme has been praised for its ease of use and sleek design. However, it has been criticised for lacking features and horsepower compared to its peers.

The AirPort Extreme has six antennas, compared to the AirPort Express's two, and supports the 802.11ac standard. This means that it can be expected to have better signal strength and range than the AirPort Express.

The AirPort Extreme has been described as a good router, particularly for Apple households, but there are several alternative routers with similar or better features, coverage, and interfaces. These include:

• Netgear R6700 Nighthawk AC1750
• Netgear Orbi
• Linksys Velop
• Amplifi HD
• Ubiquiti UniFi
• Synology WRX560
• Amplify Alien

What are the alternatives to the AirPort Extreme?

There are a variety of alternatives to the AirPort Extreme, depending on your needs.

If you are looking for a mesh network system, you could try the AmpliFi HD, Netgear Orbi, Linksys Dual-Band Velop, Eero Home Wi-Fi System, or Google Wi-Fi. These systems are ideal for larger homes or apartments, or those with thick walls or awkward layouts.

For a single router, you could try the Netgear R6700 Nighthawk AC1750, Synology RT2600AC, Netgear Nighthawk X10 AD7200, or the Linksys Max-Stream AC2200. These are a good choice if you are on a budget or have a smaller home or apartment.

Other mesh systems include the Amped Wireless ALLY-0091K Wireless ALLY Plus, Asus Lyra Home Wi-Fi System, Samsung Connect Home AC1300 Smart Wi-Fi System, and TP-Link Deco Whole Home Wi-Fi.

Other single routers include the Netgear Nighthawk AC2300, Asus Ac3200, 1-pack Google Wi-Fi, and the budget pick, Netgear N750.

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