Ruth Haines
AirPort is a discontinued line of wireless routers and network cards developed by Apple Inc. that used Wi-Fi protocols. The AirPort Utility app allows users to set up and manage their wireless networks and AirPort base stations, including AirPort Express, AirPort Extreme, and AirPort Time Capsule. AirPort cards were included as standard in several of Apple's desktop and portable computers, including the MacBook Pro, MacBook, Mac Mini, and iMac. AirPort Express is Apple's compact, affordable Wi-Fi base station, while AirPort Extreme is Apple's high-performance Wi-Fi base station.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Debut | 1999 |
| Discontinuation | 2018 |
| Purpose | Wireless router and network cards |
| Products | AirPort Base Station, AirPort Extreme, AirPort Time Capsule, AirPort Express |
| Features | Built-in Wi-Fi, automated backups, compact size, affordability, storage, wireless access point, AirPlay, wireless printing, Ethernet ports, audio output jack, USB printer port |
| Protocols | 802.11a, 802.11b, 802.11g, 802.11n, 802.11ac |
| Data Transfer Rates | Up to 54 Mbit/s for AirPort Extreme, 1.3 Gbps for sixth-generation AirPort Extreme |
| Compatibility | Macbook Pro, Macbook, Mac Mini, iMac, Power Mac G5, Mac Pro |
| Cards | Atheros brand, Broadcom cards, PCI Express mini card, Broadcom BCM94360CS2, Broadcom BCM 943224 PCIEBT2 Wi-Fi card |
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What You'll Learn
What is AirPort Utility?
AirPort Utility is an app that allows you to set up and manage your wireless network and AirPort base stations, including AirPort Express, AirPort Extreme, and AirPort Time Capsule. It can be used to monitor your network and change base station and network settings, as well as manage advanced features such as security modes, wireless channels, and IPv6 configuration. The app is available for iOS, iPadOS, and Mac devices, allowing users to set up and monitor their networks from their devices with ease.
AirPort Utility also enables users to create and manage larger and more complex networks, such as a WPA Enterprise network with a Radius server. It can be used to manage 802.11n and 802.11ac AirPort base stations and keep track of the wireless signal strength in the menu bar. The app provides security features to detect trojan horses and spyware, as well as privacy tools to secure delete history and wipe tracks.
Apple introduced the AirPort line in 1999, which included wireless routers and network cards using Wi-Fi protocols. The line consisted of the AirPort Base Station (later AirPort Extreme), the AirPort Time Capsule (a variant with a built-in hard disk for automated backups), and the AirPort Express, a compact router. In 2003, Apple introduced AirPort Extreme, based on the 802.11g specification, offering peak data transfer rates of up to 54 Mbit/s.
In 2018, Apple discontinued the AirPort line, selling off the remaining inventory and retailing third-party routers. Despite the discontinuation, Apple continues to provide support and share documents to assist customers transitioning away from AirPort products. AirPort Utility remains available for users to manage their wireless networks and base stations.
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AirPort card compatibility
AirPort is a discontinued line of wireless routers and network cards developed by Apple. AirPort cards are Apple-branded Wi-Fi cards used to connect to wireless networks provided by an AirPort Base Station.
The original AirPort card was introduced in 1999 as an option for the iBook G3, which became the world's first Wi-Fi-enabled laptop. The card was designed to be user-installable and was based on Lucent's WaveLAN/Orinoco Gold PC card. In 2003, Apple introduced AirPort Extreme, based on the 802.11g specification, which offered peak data transfer rates of up to 54 Mbit/s and was backward-compatible with existing 802.11b wireless network cards and base stations.
Over time, Apple transitioned away from user-installable designs in their notebooks, iMacs, and Mac Minis, moving to an integrated design. AirPort continued to be an option, either installed at purchase or later, on the Power Mac G5 and the Mac Pro. With the introduction of the Intel-based MacBook Pro in 2006, Apple adopted a standard PCI Express mini-card design. The brand and model of the card have changed over the years, with early models using Atheros cards and later models (since 2008) using Broadcom cards.
The specific AirPort card compatible with a particular MacBook Air model depends on its year of manufacture. For example, the MacBook Air Mid 2013 uses a Broadcom BCM94360CS2 (main chip BCM4360: 2 x 2:2) card. The MacBook Air Mid 2012 13", MacBook Air Mid 2011 13", and MacBook Air Late 2010 (11", A1370, and 13", Model A1369) use a Broadcom BCM943224 PCIEBT2 Wi-Fi card (main chip BCM43224: 2 x 2 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz).
It is worth noting that AirPort and AirPort Extreme cards are not physically compatible. AirPort Extreme cards cannot be installed in older Macs, and AirPort cards cannot be installed in newer Macs.
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AirPort Express
AirPort is a discontinued line of wireless routers and network cards developed by Apple Inc. The AirPort Express, a compact router, was introduced in 2004 as a "Swiss Army knife" multifunction product. The first version (M9470LL/A, model A1084) included an analog-optical audio mini-jack output, a USB port for remote printing, and one Ethernet port. The USB port could also be used to charge the first-generation iPod Shuffle, although this was not supported by Apple.
The audio output feature of the AirPort Express on a system running OS X Lion or earlier can only be used to wirelessly stream audio files from within iTunes to an attached stereo system. It cannot be used to output the soundtrack of iTunes video content to an attached stereo. OS X Mountain Lion introduced AirPlay support, allowing output of the audio of protected video content within iTunes and maintaining audio sync with the on-screen image. Up to 10 wireless units can connect to the AirPort Express.
In 2012, Apple introduced a redesigned model with a square form factor and two Ethernet ports. AirPlay 2 support was added to this model in 2018, providing the ability to be added to the Apple Home app as an audio destination.
Apple discontinued its AirPort line in 2018, selling off remaining inventory and retailing routers from other companies in its stores. However, the company continues to support the AirPort Express, although an older version of its "AirPort Utility" is required for the earliest version of the device.
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AirPort Time Capsule
AirPort is a discontinued line of wireless routers and network cards developed by Apple Inc. using Wi-Fi protocols. The AirPort Time Capsule is a variant of the AirPort Base Station with a built-in hard disk for automated backups. The Time Capsule supports up to 3 TB of data and is compatible with devices using the 802.11a, 802.11b, 802.11g, 802.11n, and 802.11ac specifications.
The AirPort Time Capsule was first released in early 2009, offering simultaneous 802.11n dual-band operation. This allowed older devices to use slower wireless speeds without affecting the overall performance of devices that could use higher 802.11n speeds. The second-generation model also included Guest Networking, a feature that allows the creation of a separate wireless network for guests, ensuring the security of the primary network.
The fourth-generation Time Capsule, released in June 2011, increased the range of Wi-Fi signals with a Broadcom BCM4331 chip. The fifth-generation model, released in June 2013, featured a name change to AirPort Time Capsule and a redesign with larger dimensions. It introduced the newest Wi-Fi standard, 802.11ac, and offered faster download speeds, beamforming improvements, and wireless or desktop network control with iCloud integration.
In 2016, Apple disbanded its wireless router development team, and in 2018, the entire AirPort line was discontinued without replacement. Despite this, some users continue to find value in the AirPort Time Capsule, using it as intended for backing up their devices.
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AirPort discontinuation
AirPort is a discontinued brand of wireless routers and network cards developed by Apple Inc. using Wi-Fi protocols. The AirPort line of products was introduced in 1999 and included the AirPort Base Station (later AirPort Extreme), the AirPort Time Capsule (with a built-in hard disk for automated backups), and the AirPort Express, a compact router.
In 2003, Apple introduced AirPort Extreme, based on the 802.11g specification, which allowed for peak data transfer rates of up to 54 Mbit/s and was backward-compatible with existing 802.11b wireless network cards and base stations. The original AirPort card was discontinued in June 2004 and replaced by the AirPort Express base station.
In 2005, Apple phased out user-installable designs in their notebooks, iMacs, and Mac Minis, moving to an integrated design. AirPort continued to be an option on the Power Mac G5 and the Mac Pro. With the introduction of the Intel-based MacBook Pro in 2006, Apple began to use a standard PCI Express mini card for Wi-Fi.
In 2009, Apple discontinued wireless cards following the transition to Intel processors, as all Mac products had adopted built-in Wi-Fi. Finally, in 2018, Apple discontinued the AirPort line entirely, selling off remaining inventory and retailing third-party routers from Linksys, Netgear, and Eero in Apple stores.
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Frequently asked questions
AirPort is a discontinued line of wireless routers and network cards developed by Apple Inc. using Wi-Fi protocols.
AirPort Extreme is Apple's fully-featured high-performance Wi-Fi base station. It was introduced in 2003 and allows for theoretical peak data transfer rates of up to 54 Mbit/s.
To turn on AirPort, go to Syst Prefs:Network, and at the bottom of the left list, you will find a tiny Tool icon. Click on the Wireless icon and select 'Turn AirPort on'.
The AirPort Utility app allows you to set up and manage your wireless network and AirPort base stations, including AirPort Express, AirPort Extreme, and AirPort Time Capsule.
No, Apple discontinued the AirPort line in 2018 and sold off the remaining inventory. However, the company provided support and parts for current-generation AirPort Base Stations for five years after discontinuation.
