
The Apple AirPort Express is a simultaneous dual-band router that has been praised for its improved performance at both short and long ranges. The 2012 version of the AirPort Express was considered a significant upgrade, with a new design that resembles a white Apple TV, making it easier to place. The biggest improvement, however, is in the radio, with both 2.4GHz and 5GHz frequency bands now available simultaneously. This makes the AirPort Express a great option for covering a house without having multiple networks, and it is extremely easy to set up. While there are other routers on the market with similar performance and features, the AirPort Express is a good choice for those looking for a reliable and easy-to-use router, especially in smaller houses.
Characteristics | Values |
---|---|
Design | Resembles a white Apple TV |
Radio | Both 2.4GHz and 5GHz frequency bands are available simultaneously |
Performance | Better at both short and long ranges with 802.11n devices |
Signal | Performance at a distance is much better than the old Express |
Ethernet ports | Two |
Price | There are many more fully-featured products for less money |
What You'll Learn
- The Apple AirPort Express is a good, but not great, simultaneous dual-band router
- The new version has better performance at a distance, making it a good choice for smaller houses
- The AirPort Express is extremely easy to set up
- The new design is more svelte and easier to place
- The new AirPort Express is a significant upgrade, making it a better choice for more users
The Apple AirPort Express is a good, but not great, simultaneous dual-band router
The AirPort Express is a good choice if you want to use it as your main Wi-Fi router in a smaller house, or to extend an existing network. It includes two Ethernet ports, allowing you to connect to a broadband router and a computer at the same time. The new AirPort Express also offers improved performance at both short and longer ranges, with both 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands available simultaneously.
However, there are other routers that offer similar wireless performance for a lower price. For example, Cisco's Linksys EA2700 has similar wireless performance, Gigabit ports, and supports Cisco's new Connect Cloud architecture. If you're looking for USB shared storage, you can also grab an older refurbished Linksys E3200 for only $65, or a NETGEAR WNDR3700 with a similar feature set for less than the Express.
Overall, while the AirPort Express is a good router, there are other options on the market that offer similar or better performance for a lower price.
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The new version has better performance at a distance, making it a good choice for smaller houses
The Apple AirPort Express is a good, but not great, simultaneous dual-band router. The 2012 version saw some significant and much-needed improvements, including a new design and better performance at both short and long ranges. The new design resembles a white Apple TV, making it easier to place exactly where you need it.
The biggest improvement, however, is in the radio. Previously, you had to use 802.11n on either the 2.4GHz or 5GHz frequency bands. But with the new AirPort Express, both bands are available simultaneously, so you should see better performance at both short and long ranges with 802.11n devices. This makes the new version a good choice for smaller houses, as it has better performance at a distance.
While the old Express would drop the signal as soon as you went into another room, the new version has much better performance at a distance. This makes it a much better choice if you want to use it as your main Wi-Fi router in a smaller house. It also excels if you want to use it to extend an existing network. The AirPort Express is extremely easy to set up and now includes two Ethernet ports, letting you connect to both a broadband router and a computer at the same time.
Overall, the new AirPort Express is a significant upgrade, making it much more capable and a better choice for more users.
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The AirPort Express is extremely easy to set up
The AirPort Express now includes two Ethernet ports, letting you connect to both a broadband router and a computer at the same time. This makes it a great option for covering a house without having multiple networks.
The AirPort Express is a good, but not great, simultaneous dual-band router. There are many more fully-featured products for less money, even if you buy refurbished. For example, Cisco's Linksys EA2700 has similar wireless performance, Gigabit ports and supports Cisco's new Connect Cloud architecture.
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The new design is more svelte and easier to place
The new design of the Apple AirPort Express is more svelte and easier to place. Apple has done away with the previous form factor, in favour of something resembling a white Apple TV. This makes the whole thing much more compact and easier to position exactly where you need it.
The new design also includes two Ethernet ports, letting you connect to both a broadband router and a computer at the same time. This makes the Express a much better choice if you want to use it as your main Wi-Fi router in a smaller house.
The biggest improvement, however, is in the most fundamental part of any Wi-Fi base station: its radio. Previously, you had to use 802.11n on either the 2.4GHz or 5GHz frequency bands. But with the new AirPort Express, both bands are available simultaneously, so you should see better performance at both short and longer ranges with 802.11n devices.
Overall, the new design of the Apple AirPort Express is a significant upgrade, making it much more capable and a better choice for more users.
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The new AirPort Express is a significant upgrade, making it a better choice for more users
The new AirPort Express now includes two Ethernet ports, letting you connect to both a broadband router and computer at the same time. This is a good, but not great, simultaneous dual-band router. "N600" routers are pretty much commodities now and there are many more fully-featured products for less money—even less if you buy refurbished. For example, Cisco’s Linksys EA2700 has similar wireless performance, Gigabit ports and supports Cisco’s new Connect Cloud architecture. On the other hand, if you’re looking for USB shared storage, you can grab an older refurbed Linksys E3200 for only $65 with free shipping and a 30-day return, or a NETGEAR WNDR3700 with a similar feature set for a few bucks less than the Express.
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Frequently asked questions
The Apple AirPort Express is a good, but not great, simultaneous dual-band router. It's a good choice for smaller houses, and it's easy to set up.
The Apple AirPort Express has improved radio capabilities, meaning you can use both 2.4GHz and 5GHz frequency bands simultaneously, improving performance at both short and long ranges. It's also more compact and easier to place than previous models.
There are many more fully-featured routers available for less money, such as the Cisco Linksys EA2700, which has similar wireless performance and Gigabit ports.
The Apple AirPort Express has 100 Mbps Ethernet ports and two Ethernet ports, allowing you to connect to both a broadband router and a computer simultaneously.