Roberta Aguirre
The Airport Extreme Base Station is a Wi-Fi router developed by Apple. It was first released in 2003 and was discontinued in 2018. The Airport Extreme Base Station allowed users to share their internet connection between several computers and was compatible with Mac computers, PCs, and wireless devices such as iPhones and iPods. The device also featured a built-in firewall, enhanced security features, and the ability to connect an external hard drive for wireless network-attached storage.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Apple |
| Model | AirPort Extreme Base Station |
| Year Released | 1999; 2003; 2004; 2007; 2012; 2013 |
| Year Discontinued | 2018 |
| Speed | Fast data rates; Reach data rates of up to 1.3 Gbps; Theoretical throughput of 450 Mbps on the 2.4GHz band and 1300 Mbps on the 5GHz band |
| Compatibility | Mac computers, PCs, iPhone, iPod Touch, other 802.11n products |
| Number of Ports | 3-4 Gigabit Ethernet ports; 1 USB port |
| Other Features | Wireless printing; Wireless NAS; Wireless network extension; Airplay; Airprint; AirDrop; Time Machine functionalities; Built-in firewall; Access control |
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What You'll Learn
Apple Airport Extreme Base Station's history
Apple's AirPort Extreme Base Station is a compact Internet router with powerful wireless capabilities. It was first introduced in 1999, when Wi-Fi was still in its early days, and Apple began selling AirPort devices. The AirPort Extreme Base Station allows users to share their Internet connection between several computers via the draft 802.11n wireless protocol.
The original AirPort Extreme Base Station was released in 2003 and featured 802.11g wireless technology, as well as the ability to serve up to 50 Macs or PCs simultaneously. It was the only generation to use the "flying saucer" form factor. In 2004, Apple introduced AirPort Express, an even smaller base station that included Audio-out, USB for remote printing, and an ethernet port.
Over the years, Apple released several updated versions of the AirPort Extreme Base Station, with improved features and specifications. In 2009, Apple unveiled an updated AirPort Extreme with simultaneous dual-band 802.11 Draft-N radios, allowing full 802.11 Draft-N 2x2 communication in both bands simultaneously. In 2011, Apple released the 5th Generation AirPort Extreme, followed by the 6th Generation in 2013, which featured three-stream 802.11ac Wi-Fi technology with significantly faster data rates.
However, in 2016, Apple disbanded the team that developed the AirPort Extreme and Time Capsule routers, and in 2018, the company formally discontinued these products, exiting the router market. Despite this, Apple continues to provide hardware and software support for existing AirPort products, including the AirPort Extreme Base Station.
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Features and functionality
The Apple AirPort Extreme Base Station is a compact Wi-Fi router with powerful wireless capabilities. It was first released in 2003, with the latest model released in 2013. The AirPort Extreme Base Station can be used to share an internet connection between several computers. It features three standard 10/100/1000Mbps RJ-45 Gigabit Ethernet ports, a USB port for printer and hard disk sharing, and a 3.5mm mini-jack socket for audio output.
The AirPort Extreme Base Station includes a built-in firewall that protects your data from malicious internet attacks. It also has industry-standard encryption technology built-in, including WPA/WPA2 and 128-bit WEP, which can be activated using AirPort Utility. This ensures that only people with the correct password can join your wireless network. The AirPort Extreme Base Station also has access control features, allowing you to decide who can access your network and when.
The AirPort Extreme Base Station is compatible with Mac computers, PCs, and wireless devices such as iPhones and iPods that use 802.11a, b, or g technologies. It supports simultaneous dual-band broadcasting with data rates of up to 1300 Mbps on the 5GHz band and 450 Mbps on the 2.4GHz band. The AirPort Extreme can also turn an external USB hard drive into a shared drive that can be accessed securely over the internet by all users on your network.
The AirPort Extreme Base Station has been praised by customers for its signal strength, speed, and ease of setup. However, it has not received any updates in recent years, and Apple discontinued production of the AirPort Extreme and its AirPort brethren in 2018. Despite this, the AirPort Extreme Base Station continues to be a reliable and functional router for many users.
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Compatibility with other devices
The Airport Extreme Base Station is a compact internet router with powerful wireless capabilities, allowing you to share your internet connection between several computers. It is compatible with Mac computers, PCs, and wireless devices such as iPhones and iPods that use 802.11a, b, or g technologies. It also works with other certified 802.11n products.
The Airport Extreme Base Station is also backwards compatible with legacy 802.11a/b/g devices. This means that it can be used with older devices that may not support the latest wireless standards.
In addition to its compatibility with computers and mobile devices, the Airport Extreme Base Station can also be connected to a printer, enabling wireless printing from any device on the network. It also has a USB port that allows you to connect and share an external hard drive with all users on your network. This feature, known as AirPort Disk, allows for secure file sharing over the internet.
The Airport Extreme Base Station also includes a built-in firewall, providing protection from malicious internet attacks. It is designed to work seamlessly with Wi-Fi devices, making it easy for multiple users to share a single broadband internet connection, a USB printer, and an external hard drive.
While Apple has discontinued the production of Airport Extreme Base Stations, they continue to provide hardware and software support for existing devices.
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Reviews and customer experience
Apple's AirPort Extreme Base Station has received generally positive reviews from customers and critics. Many reviewers have praised the device for its speed, range, and ease of setup.
One of the most commonly praised aspects of the AirPort Extreme Base Station is its speed. Several reviewers have noted that the device offers significantly faster data transfer speeds compared to other routers on the market. One reviewer mentioned that the AirPort Extreme was able to transfer a 5GB file in 15 minutes, while their old Netgear router took 31 minutes for the same task. The device's support for the 802.11n wireless standard is also highlighted as a contributing factor to its speed.
The range of the AirPort Extreme Base Station has also been positively reviewed. Reviewers have mentioned that the device provides strong and consistent signals throughout their homes, even in areas where other routers struggled to reach. One reviewer specifically mentioned that the range covers their 2000 sqft home extremely well, and another stated that the signal reaches every room in their house.
In terms of setup and design, the AirPort Extreme Base Station is often described as easy to set up and elegant in its design. The device's compact size and sleek look are praised, with some reviewers noting that it complements other Apple products aesthetically. The setup process is generally considered straightforward, with some reviewers mentioning that they were able to quickly establish a connection.
However, there are also some critical reviews that highlight limitations and drawbacks of the AirPort Extreme Base Station. One common critique is the lack of Gigabit Ethernet ports, which is considered an oversight by Apple. Some reviewers have also mentioned that the device offers limited customization options, particularly when compared to competing routers. The price of the AirPort Extreme Base Station is also mentioned as a potential drawback, with some reviewers stating that there are cheaper alternatives available that offer similar or better features.
Overall, the AirPort Extreme Base Station has received positive feedback for its speed, range, and ease of use, but there are some concerns about the lack of certain features and the relatively high price.
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Discontinuation
The AirPort Extreme Base Station is a compact Internet router with powerful wireless capabilities, allowing users to share their Internet connection between several computers. It was developed and sold by Apple as part of its AirPort devices range.
Apple discontinued its AirPort Extreme Base Station and AirPort Time Capsule products in 2018, exiting the consumer router market. The company announced the discontinuation of its AirPort line on April 16, 2018, nearly 20 years after the first AirPort device launched.
The AirPort Extreme Base Station had not received a hardware update since 2014, and the entire AirPort line had last been updated in 2013. In 2016, Apple disbanded the wireless router team that developed the AirPort Time Capsule and AirPort Extreme.
Apple's decision to exit the router market was seen as surprising, as the company rarely discontinues product categories. However, in recent years, there has been confusion about the purpose of AirPort devices, with many internet providers offering modems that fulfil the same function.
Despite the discontinuation, Apple has committed to providing hardware and software support for its AirPort products for at least five years from the announcement, and will help customers obtain required parts during this period.
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Frequently asked questions
The AirPort Extreme Base Station is a compact Wi-Fi router with powerful wireless capabilities. It was first released in 2003 and was discontinued in 2018.
The AirPort Extreme Base Station has faster data throughput and includes the new 802.11ac standard. It also has four gigabit ethernet ports so you can create a wired network with fast data rates. It is also capable of handling up to 50 simultaneous connections.
Setting up the AirPort Extreme Base Station is simple. Just plug the printer into the USB port on the Base Station, add it to the printer list on your Mac or PC, and you're good to print.
The AirPort Express is useful for extending a wireless network or adding AirPrint to a printer, or AirPlay to your stereo system. The AirPort Extreme, on the other hand, is the device to connect to your home network if you want to boost your wireless network.
