Owais Crawford
Apple 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. Apple discontinued its lineup of wireless routers in 2016, but as of 2023, it continues to provide limited hardware and software support. Despite being discontinued, many people still use the Apple Airport Extreme and find it to be a good router. Some users have praised its performance, ease of use, and seamless Time Machine backups. However, others have noted that it caused computer name issues and had weaker signal strength and coverage. With the growing demand for faster internet speeds and the advancement of router technology, it is questionable whether the Apple Airport Extreme can still compete with modern routers.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Apple Inc. |
| Functions | Router, network switch, wireless access point, NAS, and other functions |
| Discontinuation | 2018 |
| Current hardware and software support | Limited |
| First model release date | January 7, 2003 |
| Latest model | 6th Generation |
| Latest model features | Supports 802.11ac networking and older standards |
| Speed | 400+ Mbps |
| Seamless backups | Yes |
| Ease of use | High |
| Design | Good |
| Performance | Good |
| Reliability | High |
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What You'll Learn
Apple discontinued the AirPort Extreme in 2018
The AirPort Extreme was discontinued due to a variety of reasons. Firstly, Apple disbanded the hardware division responsible for its routers in 2016, two years before the product was officially discontinued. Additionally, the AirPort Extreme never stood out among its competitors, with alternatives offering better speeds and performance.
Despite the discontinuation, some users still utilise the AirPort Extreme, citing its reliability, ease of use, and seamless Time Machine backups. However, others have noted that the router caused computer name issues and had poor signal strength and coverage.
The technology developed for the AirPort Extreme has been carried over to other Apple devices. Features such as AirPlay, AirDrop, and the sharing of files and data between Apple devices originated from the AirPort Extreme and its related products.
While some users have switched to alternative routers, there is still a demand for Apple to return to the router market or find alternative ways to incorporate WiFi capabilities into their products.
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The AirPort Extreme is good for basic internet usage
The AirPort Extreme is a good choice for basic internet usage. It combines the functions of a router, network switch, wireless access point, and NAS, making it a versatile option for home networks. While Apple discontinued the product in 2018, it still provides limited hardware and software support as of 2023.
One of the key advantages of the AirPort Extreme for basic internet usage is its ease of use. The AirPort app, available on iOS and macOS, offers a user-friendly interface for setup and management. Apple's firmware updates also ensure that the router remains secure and functional, with the latest 802.11ac standard providing sufficient wireless performance for home use.
Additionally, the AirPort Extreme supports seamless Time Machine backups. Users can connect an external USB hard drive to the router for network-attached storage (NAS), making data backup and recovery convenient and straightforward. This feature enhances the overall reliability of the device for basic internet and data storage needs.
For those with Apple devices, the AirPort Extreme integrates well with other Apple products, such as Apple TV and Apple Music. This integration simplifies the overall user experience and ensures compatibility across devices. The AirPort Extreme's performance is suitable for web browsing, streaming, and light programming tasks, making it a good option for users without intensive computing requirements.
While the AirPort Extreme may not offer the fastest speeds compared to newer routers, it handles speeds of 250-400 Mbps, which is more than adequate for basic internet activities. Its range and signal strength are suitable for small offices or homes, providing stable connectivity for multiple devices without the need for complex configurations.
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The AirPort Extreme is not good for heavy gaming or intense computing
The AirPort Extreme is a line of residential gateways that combine the functions of a router, network switch, wireless access point, and NAS. Apple discontinued developing its lineup of wireless routers in 2016, but as of 2023, it continues to provide limited hardware and software support.
While the AirPort Extreme has its advantages, it may not be the best option for heavy gaming or intense computing needs. Here's why:
- Speed Limitations: The AirPort Extreme's processor speed can result in slower performance when using a USB hard drive compared to connecting the drive directly to a computer. This limitation may impact the overall speed and performance of data-intensive tasks, such as gaming or computing.
- Discontinued Updates: Apple discontinued the AirPort Extreme in 2018, exiting the router market. As a result, there may be limited firmware updates and technical support available, which could impact its compatibility and performance with newer devices and software.
- Alternative Options: Other routers on the market may offer improved speeds and performance, especially for heavy gaming or intense computing. For example, the Netgear Orbi router is reported to provide ten times more speed than the AirPort Extreme.
- Limited Range: Some users have reported that the AirPort Extreme's signal strength and coverage are not ideal, which could impact its performance for heavy gaming or intense computing, especially in larger spaces or with multiple devices connected.
- Compatibility Issues: The AirPort Extreme may not be compatible with all devices and software, especially if they are newer models. This could limit its effectiveness for heavy gaming or intense computing, which often requires seamless compatibility and performance across various devices and platforms.
In summary, while the AirPort Extreme may still be functional for basic internet browsing and streaming, it may not be the best option for heavy gaming or intense computing due to its speed limitations, discontinued updates, alternative options with improved performance, limited range, and potential compatibility issues. It is important to consider your specific needs and requirements when choosing a router to ensure it can handle the demands of your intended usage.
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The AirPort Extreme is easy to use
The 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. Apple discontinued the product in 2018, but it still provides limited hardware and software support as of 2023.
The AirPort Extreme is a good option for those who want a simple "set it and forget it" solution for their networking technology. One user commented that it "just works and there's little to worry about". Another user praised the AirPort Extreme for its ease of use, saying that it was \"amazingly performant for its age".
The AirPort Extreme is also versatile, with one user commenting that it can handle speeds of 400Mbps+ in an office setting with 12 people and mostly 2015-era Macs. Another user reported that the AirPort Extreme worked well for them in a 2200 sq ft home with 25 clients connected at any given time, streaming 4K to their Apple TV, and with various smart home/IoT devices.
Overall, the AirPort Extreme is a user-friendly option for those seeking a straightforward and reliable networking solution.
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The AirPort Extreme has poor signal strength and coverage
While some users have reported that the AirPort Extreme works well for basic web browsing and streaming, others have experienced issues with signal strength and coverage. In one case, a user noted that they had to switch back to their AirPort Extreme after their new router started randomly dropping connections. However, they also mentioned that the WiFi speed on the AirPort Extreme wasn't as good as their new router.
Another user compared the AirPort Extreme to the Netgear Orbi and found that the Orbi provided significantly faster speeds to their entire house. They also mentioned that the signal strength and coverage of the AirPort Extreme were not great.
The AirPort Extreme's poor signal strength and coverage may be due to its older technology. The latest model, the 6th generation AirPort Extreme, was released in 2013 and featured three-stream 802.11ac Wi-Fi technology. While this was an improvement over the previous generations, it may still not be enough to provide strong signal strength and coverage, especially in larger homes or offices.
It is worth noting that Apple still provides limited hardware and software support for the AirPort Extreme as of 2023. However, users experiencing issues with signal strength and coverage may need to consider upgrading to a newer and more powerful router.
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Frequently asked questions
The Apple Airport Extreme was discontinued in 2018, and Apple exited the router market. While the product is no longer supported by Apple, some users continue to use the Airport Extreme and find that it works well for their needs.
Some alternatives to the Apple Airport Extreme include Eero, Ubiquiti, and Netgear Orbi.
The Apple Airport Extreme combined the functions of a router, network switch, wireless access point, and NAS. It supported 802.11ac networking and older standards, with a maximum data rate of 1.3 Gbit/s.
There is no indication that Apple plans to bring back the Airport Extreme. However, some users have expressed a desire for the product to return, and it is speculated that there may be a market for it.
