Ruth Haines
Apple AirPort is a discontinued line of wireless routers and network cards developed by Apple Inc. using Wi-Fi protocols. Apple introduced the AirPort line in 1999, and it was unveiled at Macworld in New York City by Steve Jobs, who demonstrated wireless internet technology for the first time in public. Macworld is an annual information technology trade show with conference tracks dedicated to Apple's Mac platform. It features in-depth reviews, expert advice, and essential guides to Apple products.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Debut | 1999 |
| Brand Name | AirPort |
| Product Line | Wireless Routers and Network Cards |
| Product Variants | AirPort Base Station, AirPort Extreme, AirPort Time Capsule, AirPort Express |
| Features | Dual-Band Wireless Networks, Internal Power Supply, Wireless Printing, Hard Drive Sharing, IPv6, WPA and WPA2 Encryption, Port Forwarding, Dynamic DNS Services |
| Performance | Super-fast WiFi Speeds, Excellent Performance on 802.11n and 802.11ac Wireless Bands |
| Price | £199/$199 |
| Discontinuation | April 16, 2018 |
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What You'll Learn
Apple AirPort devices were launched in 1999
Over the years, Apple expanded the AirPort line with new products and improvements. In 2003, Apple introduced AirPort Extreme, which offered faster data transfer rates and was compatible with existing wireless network cards and base stations. The AirPort Extreme was designed to work seamlessly with Apple's desktop and portable computers, including the MacBook Pro and iMac.
In 2004, Apple released the AirPort Express, a compact and multifunctional base station. This device made it possible to share a printer or hard drive wirelessly, turning any hard drive into a network-attached storage device (NAS).
Apple continued to iterate on the AirPort line, introducing simultaneous dual-band capabilities and faster Wi-Fi speeds. The AirPort Extreme (version 6) featured six internal antennas, offering improved signal strength and range.
However, as technology advanced and wireless networking became standard, the need for separate AirPort devices diminished. In 2018, Apple formally discontinued the AirPort line, exiting the router market. Despite this, Apple committed to providing hardware and software support for existing AirPort product owners for several years.
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AirPort is a discontinued line of wireless routers and network cards
The AirPort line of wireless routers consisted of the AirPort Base Station (later AirPort Extreme), the AirPort Time Capsule, and the AirPort Express. The AirPort Time Capsule was a variant with a built-in hard disk for automated backups, while the AirPort Express was a compact router. The AirPort Extreme offered faster Wi-Fi and a stronger, clearer signal due to its tall design, which placed the antennas at the top, creating a higher platform for dispersing the signal. It featured six internal antennae, dual-band wireless networks, and an internal power supply.
In 2007, Apple unveiled a new AirPort Extreme (802.11 Draft-N) Base Station, which introduced 802.11 Draft-N to the AirPort product line. This implementation allowed operation in both the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz ISM bands and included four Ethernet ports and a USB port for printers and other devices. In 2008, Apple introduced the Time Capsule, an AirPort Extreme with an internal hard drive, allowing any computer running a recent version of Mac OS or Windows to access the disk as a shared volume.
In 2018, Apple formally discontinued its AirPort products, exiting the router market. Despite this, Apple confirmed that it would continue to provide hardware and software support for existing AirPort owners and help customers obtain required parts for at least the next five years.
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AirPort Express, Extreme and Time Capsule are the three main products
Apple AirPort is a discontinued line of wireless routers and network cards developed by Apple Inc. using Wi-Fi protocols. Apple introduced the AirPort line in 1999 when Wi-Fi was still in its infancy.
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AirPort Extreme offers faster Wi-Fi and a stronger signal
Apple AirPort is a discontinued line of wireless routers and network cards developed by Apple Inc. using Wi-Fi protocols. Apple introduced the AirPort line in 1999, and in 2003, it introduced AirPort Extreme, which offered faster Wi-Fi speeds and a stronger signal than its predecessor.
The AirPort Extreme has a tall design with six internal antennas placed at the top, creating a higher platform for dispersing the signal. This results in faster Wi-Fi speeds and a stronger, clearer signal compared to the AirPort Express. When tested, the Extreme recorded one of the fastest peak 802.11ac speeds at 706 Mbps (megabits per second), settling at an impressive average of 578 Mbps.
The AirPort Extreme also features simultaneous dual-band 2.4GHz and 5GHz 802.11ac wireless, allowing full 802.11 Draft-N 2x2 communication in both bands simultaneously. It has four Gigabit Ethernet ports, with one WAN port and three LAN ports, as well as a USB port for printers and other devices.
While the AirPort Extreme may lack some advanced features, it excels as a wireless router, offering super-fast Wi-Fi speeds and a sleek, timeless design. Its built-in internal Power Supply Unit (PSU) is a welcome improvement, requiring only a small figure-8 cable for power instead of an external power brick.
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Apple discontinued AirPort products in 2018
Apple AirPort is a brand name used by Apple for its Wi-Fi networking products, including AirPort Express, AirPort Extreme, and Time Capsule. In April 2018, Apple announced that it was discontinuing its AirPort routers, nearly 20 years after the first AirPort device launched.
The decision to discontinue the AirPort products was not surprising, as Apple had not updated its AirPort line since 2012 for Express and 2013 for Extreme and Time Capsule. In 2016, Bloomberg reported that Apple had disbanded the team responsible for the routers' development and reassigned the engineers to other products. Apple began selling third-party routers in January 2018, further indicating the impending discontinuation of its AirPort products.
Following the announcement, Apple confirmed that it would continue to provide hardware and software support and help customers obtain required parts for at least the next five years for the current generation models. The company also stated that the products would still be available for purchase through Apple.com, Apple's retail stores, and authorized resellers while supplies last.
While the decision to discontinue the AirPort products may have been disappointing to some fans, Apple pointed out that most internet providers supply modems that meet users' needs, making a separate purchase of a Wi-Fi router unnecessary for many. Additionally, Apple's AirPort products were considered premium-priced and lacked support for the latest advancements in Wi-Fi technology, such as 802.11ad and 802.11ax.
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Frequently asked questions
Apple AirPort is a discontinued line of wireless routers and network cards developed by Apple Inc. using Wi-Fi protocols.
Apple introduced the AirPort line in 1999.
The AirPort Extreme offers a step up from the AirPort Express with 802.11ac Wi-Fi technology, resulting in faster Wi-Fi and a stronger, clearer signal.
The Apple AirPort Extreme is pricey, but it offers the best experience in many ways. In terms of wireless speed, this router is hard to beat.
When Apple started selling AirPort devices in 1999, Wi-Fi was in its infancy, and the ability to connect over a wireless network was a big deal. AirPort is Apple's brand name for its Wi-Fi networking products.
