Airport Extreme: Does Apple Support Wi-Fi 6 (Ax)?

Apple's AirPort Extreme is a residential gateway that combines the functions of a router, network switch, wireless access point, and NAS. The latest model, the 6th generation, supports 802.11ac networking, allowing for faster data rates of up to 1.3 Gbps. It features simultaneous dual-band 2.4GHz and 5GHz Wi-Fi, a six-element beamforming antenna array, and three Gigabit Ethernet LAN ports. However, it is unclear if the AirPort Extreme specifically has AX capabilities. Apple discontinued its AirPort line in 2018, including the AirPort Extreme, and transitioned to selling third-party routers.

The AirPort Extreme was discontinued in 2018

The first AirPort Extreme was announced at the MacWorld Expo in San Francisco on January 7, 2003. It featured 802.11g wireless technology for the first time in an AirPort base station. The name "AirPort Extreme" originally referred to any of Apple's AirPort products that implemented the newly introduced 802.11g Wi-Fi standard. This differentiated it from earlier devices that ran the slower 802.11a and b standards.

Over the years, the AirPort Extreme went through several upgrades and design changes. The earliest models had a round "flying saucer" shape, while later versions adopted a flat rounded rectangle shape similar to the Mac mini or early models of the Apple TV. The 2013 model had a more vertical form, taller than it was wide.

In 2016, Apple disbanded the wireless router team that developed the AirPort Time Capsule and AirPort Extreme router. This decision was reportedly made to sharpen the company's focus on consumer products that generated the bulk of its revenue. Two years later, in 2018, Apple formally discontinued the AirPort Extreme and AirPort Time Capsule, exiting the router market.

Despite the discontinuation, Apple continued to provide limited hardware and software support for the AirPort Extreme. As of 2021, only the latest AirPort models that were discontinued in April 2018 were still in the Supported category, with the possibility of support until April 2023. However, it is unlikely that any new firmware updates will be released for these models.

While the AirPort Extreme offered sufficient speed and connectivity for most households, it failed to stand out in a market where other routers offered faster speeds and improved performance. Additionally, the AirPort routers were more expensive than other routers with similar specifications.

Despite its discontinuation, the technology developed for the AirPort Extreme has been carried over into other Apple devices, and firmware updates are still available to keep the routers secure and functioning for those who still use them.

It was Apple's mid-level base station

Apple's AirPort Extreme was the company's mid-level base station, priced at $199. It offered dual-band higher-speed 802.11ac Wi-Fi, printer and hard drive sharing, and a stronger signal due to its high-rise design and six antennas.

The AirPort Extreme was first released in 2003 and was discontinued in 2018. The sixth and final generation of the product was released in 2013. The 2013 model had a more vertical form, being taller than it was wide. It supported the three-times-faster 802.11ac Wi-Fi protocol, which reaches data rates of up to 1.3 Gbps. The AirPort Extreme was 6.6 inches tall, with a 3.85-inch base, giving it a smaller footprint than the previous generation.

The AirPort Extreme's height was designed to optimise range and signal strength by elevating the antennas while also facilitating beamforming. This is a function that automatically locates 802.11ac devices and targets Wi-Fi signals towards those devices for optimum performance.

The AirPort Extreme featured three Gigabit Ethernet LAN ports, a USB 2.0 port for disk and printer sharing, a built-in file server, and support for AirPlay. It was compatible with 802.11a, 802.11b, 802.11g, 802.11n, and 802.11ac specifications.

It supported dual-band 802.11ac Wi-Fi

The Apple AirPort Extreme Base Station supports simultaneous dual-band 802.11ac Wi-Fi. This means that it can operate on both the 2.4GHz and 5GHz frequencies at the same time. This is advantageous because the 2.4GHz frequency has a longer range and is better at penetrating solid objects, while the 5GHz frequency offers faster data rates and is less susceptible to interference from other wireless devices.

The AirPort Extreme's support for 802.11ac Wi-Fi means that it can provide data rates of up to 1.3 Gbps, which is nearly three times faster than the previous 802.11n standard. This makes it a high-performance Wi-Fi base station that can easily handle tasks such as streaming and gaming.

The AirPort Extreme has six antennas, with three dedicated to the 2.4GHz spectrum and three to the 5GHz spectrum. This allows for a faster and more powerful connection, with better range and signal strength. The height of the AirPort Extreme also optimises the range and signal strength by elevating the antennas.

The AirPort Extreme's simultaneous dual-band 802.11ac Wi-Fi support, along with its six antennas and optimised height, make it a powerful and reliable Wi-Fi base station that can provide strong and consistent connections for multiple devices.

It was easy to set up and use

Setting up and using the Apple Airport Extreme is a straightforward process. The device has been designed to be easy to set up and use, and it offers a user-friendly experience right out of the box.

To begin the setup, you need to physically connect the base station to your modem. This involves connecting the power cord to the Power port and plugging it into a wall outlet. An Ethernet cable should then be connected to the WAN port on the base station and plugged into your DSL or cable modem. If you don't use a modem or connect differently, you can refer to the connection instructions provided by your ISP.

Once the physical connections are made, you can set up the base station using your Mac, iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch. On a Mac, click the Wi-Fi icon in the menu bar and select the base station listed under "New AirPort Base Station." From here, simply follow the onscreen instructions. The AirPort Utility Setup Assistant will automatically choose settings based on your network. If no network is found, it will create a new one, and if a network already exists, it will extend the existing network.

Setting up the base station on an iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch is just as simple. Go to "Settings > Wi-Fi" and tap the name of your base station listed under "Set up a new AirPort base station." Similar to the Mac setup, follow the onscreen instructions, and the setup assistant will take care of the rest.

The Apple Airport Extreme offers a seamless and intuitive setup process, making it convenient for users to get started with their new device. The device's user-friendly nature extends beyond the initial setup, as it provides an attractive design and sufficient speed and connectivity for most households.

It had a strong signal and good range

The Apple AirPort Extreme has been praised for its strong signal strength and good range. Customers have reported that it has an excellent range with no dead spots, and that the connection speeds are fast. The router communicates seamlessly with the Airport Extreme, providing a stable and powerful WiFi signal throughout their two-story house.

The AirPort Extreme's height is designed to optimise range and signal strength by elevating the antennas. This facilitates beamforming, a function that automatically locates 802.11ac devices and targets Wi-Fi signals towards those devices for optimum performance. The six-element beamforming antenna array is designed to deliver maximum signal strength and coverage.

The AirPort Extreme's range and signal strength are further enhanced by its support for simultaneous dual-band 2.4GHz and 5GHz Wi-Fi. This allows the router to provide a strong and reliable connection on both frequencies, ensuring that devices on either band have a smooth and uninterrupted connection.

The AirPort Extreme's strong signal and good range are also due to its high-rise design. The tall, cubic shape of the sixth-generation AirPort Extreme not only optimises antenna placement but also reduces interference from other electronic devices, ensuring a more stable and reliable connection.

The combination of a powerful antenna array, dual-band support, and a high-rise design makes the AirPort Extreme an excellent choice for users who require a strong and reliable Wi-Fi signal throughout their home or office.

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