Ruth Haines
The AirPort Express is a discontinued Wi-Fi base station product from Apple Inc. It was first introduced in 2004 and offered various features, including audio output capability, wireless connectivity, and the ability to set up an internet access point. To determine the generation of your AirPort Express, you can check the model number on the bottom of the device or use the AirPort Utility. Apple discontinued developing its wireless routers in 2018 but continues to provide limited support for later models.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| First Version | M9470LL/A, model A1084 |
| First Version Release Date | July 7, 2004 |
| First Version Features | Analog–optical audio mini-jack output, a USB port for remote printing, and one Ethernet port |
| Second Version | MB321LL/A, model A1264 |
| Second Version Release Date | March 2008 |
| Second Version Features | Supports the faster 802.11 Draft-N draft specification and operation in either the 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz bands |
| Discontinuation Date | 2018 |
| Use Case | Setting up an Internet access point, streaming songs and videos through iTunes |
| Size | 3.7 inches (9.4 cm) high, 2.9 inches (7.5 cm) wide, and 1.1 inches (2.8 cm) thick |
| Security | WPA (Wi-Fi Protected Access), WPA2, 40-bit or 128-bit Wireless Security (WEP), and MAC address filtering |
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What You'll Learn
How to identify the generation of an Airport Express
There are a few ways to identify the generation of an Airport Express device. The first way is to check the model number on the device. The model number can be found on the bottom of the device or on the side, and it starts with an "A" followed by four numbers. For example, A1084 or A1088 are older "b/g" versions of the Airport Express. Another way to identify the generation is by using the Airport Utility, which will show the correlations between generation, model number, and part number.
The first version of the Airport Express (model A1084) was introduced by Apple on July 7, 2004. It included an analog-optical audio mini-jack output, a USB port for remote printing, and one Ethernet port. An updated version (model A1264) supporting the faster 802.11 Draft-N draft specification and operation in either the 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz bands was introduced in March 2008. This revised unit includes an 802.11a/n (5 GHz) mode, allowing the addition of Draft-N to an existing 802.11b/g network without disrupting existing connections.
In 2012, Apple introduced a completely redesigned model with a new square form factor and two Ethernet ports: one WAN and one LAN. This model also included AirPlay 2 support, allowing it to be added to the Apple Home app as an audio destination.
Additionally, it is important to note that the 1st generation Airport Express is not dual-band, so it will only be able to extend one band, likely the 2.4 GHz band, when connected to a newer 2nd generation device.
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Features of the first generation of Airport Express
The first-generation AirPort Express, introduced by Apple in 2004, is a compact Wi-Fi base station that offers audio output capability. It is the smallest AirPort router and includes an analog-optical audio mini-jack output, a USB port for remote printing and charging the first-generation iPod Shuffle, and an Ethernet port. The device can create its own wireless network and supports 802.11b/g Wi-Fi on the 2.4 GHz band. It also supports AirTunes, allowing audio to be streamed wirelessly to the AirPort Express, which then outputs the audio through its audio-out to stereos.
The first-generation AirPort Express uses an audio connector that combines a 3.5 mm minijack socket and a mini-TOSLINK optical digital transmitter, allowing connection to an external digital-to-analog converter (DAC) or amplifier with an internal DAC. It can also function as a wireless access point when connected to an Ethernet network and can be used to extend the range of a network or as a printer and audio server.
The main processor of the first-generation AirPort Express is a Broadcom BCM4712KFB wireless networking chipset, which incorporates a 200 MHz MIPS processor. The audio is handled by a Texas Instruments Burr-Brown PCM2705 16-bit digital-to-analog converter.
The first-generation AirPort Express has been praised for its audio performance, with bit-perfect audio transmission for WAV, AIFF, Apple Lossless, MP3, and AAC files at 16-bit/44.1 kHz from iTunes to the AirPort and through the AirPort's optical output. However, there have been reports of higher jitter levels in the newer AirPort Express models compared to the first-generation units.
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Features of the second generation of Airport Express
The second generation of the Airport Express, with the model number A1392, was released after the first generation in 2013. It offers a range of features, including:
- Wireless router functionality, supporting 802.11a/b/g/n Wi-Fi on both 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands.
- Easy Wi-Fi setup using iPhone, iPad, or Mac.
- Dual-band 802.11n support, allowing Wi-Fi-enabled devices to connect on the 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands simultaneously.
- Audio output capability, allowing music streaming from iTunes to connected speakers using AirPlay.
- A USB port for remote printing, enabling wireless printing from any room.
- Compatibility with devices using the 802.11a, 802.11b, 802.11g, and 802.11n specifications.
- A built-in firewall for network protection.
The second generation Airport Express showed a reduction in jitter on the digital optical output compared to the first generation, improving sound quality. However, it is important to note that jitter measurements are not the only indicator of the device's performance.
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Differences between the generations of Airport Express
The AirPort Express is a discontinued Wi-Fi base station product from Apple Inc. that was first introduced in 2004. It is a compact, simple, and audio-output-capable device that was the first AirPlay device to receive streamed audio from iTunes. Apple continued to release updated versions of the AirPort Express, with significant differences between the older and newer models.
The original AirPort Express (M9470LL/A, model A1084) featured an analog-optical audio mini-jack output, a USB port, and one Ethernet port. In 2008, Apple introduced an updated version (MB321LL/A, model A1264) that supported the faster 802.11 Draft-N specification and operated in the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands. This version allowed up to 10 wireless connections and included an 802.11a/n (5 GHz) mode, enabling the addition of Draft-N to an existing 802.11b/g network without disrupting connections.
In 2012, Apple released a redesigned AirPort Express model with a new square form factor and two Ethernet ports. This model also added AirPlay 2 support in 2018, allowing it to be integrated with the Apple Home app as an audio destination. One of the key differences between the older and newer AirPort Express models is their placement and connectivity. The newer model does not have a built-in plug and uses a cabled plug, offering more flexibility in placement and addressing issues with loose connections in certain power sockets.
Another significant difference is the support for dual-band connectivity in the newer AirPort Express models. This feature allows for better network speed and the ability to support more connected devices. Additionally, the newer models can be added to the Apple Home app as an audio destination, enhancing their functionality in the Apple ecosystem.
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What to do if your Airport Express is not working
If your Airport Express is not working, there are several troubleshooting steps you can take to try and resolve the issue.
First, check the lights on the Airport Express. A solid green light indicates that everything is functioning properly. A blinking amber light could indicate an issue with the device's functionality, such as connectivity problems. A flashing yellow light may suggest that the device needs to be configured with your router.
If you are experiencing connectivity issues, try restarting your Airport Express. Power reset your device by unplugging it, pressing and holding the reset button, and then plugging it back in. If this does not work, try a factory reset. You can also try turning everything off and on again, including your router.
If you have recently changed your router, your Airport Express may need to be reconfigured to work with it. To do this, connect your Airport Express to your computer with an Ethernet cable. Then, run the Airport Utility and configure the device with the necessary information, including your wireless network name (SSID) and encryption information (WEP, WPA, or WPA2), as well as the security key, password, or passphrase for your router. Once configured, you can remove the Ethernet cable and place the Airport Express in its desired location.
If you are using Airport Express to extend your wireless network, it will only work with another Airport Express, Airport Extreme Base Station, or Time Capsule. Ensure that you are using compatible devices.
Additionally, ensure that you are using the correct version of Airport Utility to support your Airport Express. Apple continues to support later models of Airport Express, but an older version of Airport Utility may be required for the earliest version of the device.
If you are still experiencing issues, seek further troubleshooting advice or contact Apple support services for more targeted solutions.
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Frequently asked questions
You can identify the generation of your Airport Express by checking the label on the bottom of the device for the model number.
The first generation of Airport Express has the model number A1084, while the second generation has the model number A1264.
The Airport Express is a compact Wi-Fi base station that offers audio output capability and wireless networking capabilities. It can be used to set up an Internet access point, stream multimedia content through iTunes, and extend the range of an existing wireless network.
