Owais Crawford
Apple's AirPort Extreme was a line of residential gateways that combined the functions of a router, network switch, wireless access point, and NAS. The first AirPort Extreme was announced in 2003 and the sixth and final generation was released in 2013. Despite having sufficient speed and connectivity, Apple discontinued the AirPort line in 2018, likely due to the presence of other competitive routers on the market.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Year Apple stopped making Airport Extreme | 2018 |
| Date Airport Extreme was discontinued | 26 April 2018 |
| Year the last Airport Extreme was released | 2013 |
| Base price of Airport Extreme at discontinuation | $199 |
| Reason for discontinuation | The Airport line was outperformed by other routers on the market, and Apple wanted to focus on devices that sell better |
| Availability | Apple continued to sell Airport Extreme while supplies last |
| Support | Apple will continue to support Airport Extreme for at least five years with firmware updates |
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What You'll Learn
Apple discontinued the Airport Extreme in 2018
Apple's AirPort Extreme was discontinued in 2018, marking the end of the AirPort line. While the AirPort Extreme and its AirPort brethren were never bad Wi-Fi routers, they never stood out. They offered sufficient speed and connectivity and worked well in most households. However, they paled in comparison to other routers on the market, which offered faster speeds and improved performance. Additionally, the AirPort routers were more expensive than other routers with similar specifications.
The AirPort Extreme had its advantages, such as an easy setup process and an attractive design. However, these advantages were not enough to make the AirPort Extreme a bestseller. Apple's decision to discontinue the AirPort line may be attributed to the presence of many great alternatives on the market.
The AirPort Extreme played a significant role in the development of other Apple technologies. Features like AirPlay, AirDrop, and the sharing of files and data between Apple devices have their origins in the AirPort Express router. Additionally, some Time Machine functionalities can be traced back to the Time Capsule and Apple AirPort Extreme wireless backups.
Although Apple is no longer producing new AirPort Extremes, the company committed to supporting existing products for at least five years through firmware updates. Apple also offered guidance and knowledge-base articles to help customers transition away from AirPort products. Despite the discontinuation, the technology lives on in many other Apple devices, and the AirPort routers continue to be supported by the company for the time being.
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The Airport Extreme was first released in 2003
The original Airport Extreme Base Station had a similar plastic housing to the original Airport Base Station, in a round "flying saucer" shape. The 2003 release also added an external antenna connector and a USB port to the device. In 2004, Apple released a version of its Airport Extreme Base Station Wi-Fi router that supported Power over Ethernet (PoE) technology.
The Airport Extreme has gone through three distinct physical forms. From 2007 to 2013, the devices took on a flat rounded rectangle shape, similar in layout and size to the Mac mini or early models of the Apple TV. The 2013 model had a more vertical form, taller than it was wide.
The Airport Extreme was discontinued in 2018, along with the Airport Express and Airport Time Capsule. Apple's decision to exit the wireless router business came as no surprise, as the company had disbanded the team responsible for developing its routers in 2016.
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Apple will continue to support the Airport Extreme for years to come
Apple's AirPort Extreme, AirPort Express, and AirPort Time Capsule products were discontinued in 2018. However, the company has stated that it will continue to support these products for years to come, although not indefinitely. This means that customers can expect to receive firmware updates to keep their AirPort devices secure and functioning. Additionally, Apple has committed to helping customers obtain service and parts for current-generation AirPort Base Stations for up to five years from the date of discontinuation.
While Apple has exited the wireless router business, the company recognises that many customers still rely on its AirPort products. By providing ongoing support and firmware updates, Apple is ensuring that its customers can continue to use their AirPort devices securely and reliably. This commitment to supporting existing products demonstrates Apple's dedication to its customers and the longevity of its devices.
The AirPort Extreme, in particular, has a dedicated user base that appreciates its reliability, consistent speeds, and ease of use. Its performance and stability have been compared favourably to other networking equipment, even those from well-regarded brands like Ubiquiti. The AirPort Extreme's embedded OS, for instance, is said to have been used by NASA due to its reliability.
Furthermore, Apple's decision to exit the wireless router market does not mean that the technology and innovations from the AirPort line are being abandoned. On the contrary, much of the technology developed for the AirPort products has been carried over into other Apple devices. Features such as AirPlay, AirDrop, and file-sharing capabilities between Apple devices originated with the AirPort routers. The AirPort line has also influenced the design and functionality of other routers on the market, raising the bar for performance and user experience.
In summary, while Apple may no longer be producing new AirPort Extreme devices, the company has assured customers that support will continue for years. This includes firmware updates, access to parts, and troubleshooting resources. Apple's commitment to supporting its discontinued products underscores its focus on customer satisfaction and the long-term value of its devices.
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The Airport Extreme was never a bad router
Apple's AirPort Extreme was discontinued in 2018, marking the company's exit from the wireless router business. While the AirPort Extreme never achieved standout success, it was never a bad router.
The AirPort Extreme offered sufficient speed and connectivity for most households. It was easy to set up right out of the box, and its sleek design made it a discrete addition to homes. Apple's AirPort Utility app made setting up and managing AirPort routers simpler than most third-party routers with clunky apps.
The AirPort Extreme was inherently more secure than other routers due to its design. It had no default admin username and password, and users didn't configure it through a web browser, making it immune to standard router attack methods. The AirPort Extreme could handle up to 50 simultaneous connections and supported simultaneous dual-band broadcasting. It had a theoretical throughput of 450 Mbps on the 2.4GHz band and 1300 Mbps on the 5GHz band.
However, the AirPort Extreme did have some drawbacks. It only had three Gigabit Ethernet LAN ports, while four ports were standard among competitors. Additionally, Apple's routers were more expensive than other routers with similar specifications.
Despite these shortcomings, the AirPort Extreme was a reliable and secure router option, and its discontinuation was likely due to the presence of more advanced and competitively priced alternatives on the market.
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Apple's focus is now on devices that sell better
Apple's decision to discontinue its AirPort Base Station products, including the AirPort Extreme, can be attributed to a shift in focus towards devices that yield higher sales and align better with the company's strategic direction. While the AirPort routers offered sufficient speed and connectivity, they failed to stand out in a highly competitive market. Other routers on the market were faster, offered improved speeds sooner, and were more affordable than their AirPort counterparts.
The AirPort line's sales paled in comparison to other Apple products, and with numerous alternatives available, Apple's exit from the router market made strategic sense. The company chose to direct its resources towards devices with stronger market performance and higher growth potential.
Apple's focus on devices that sell better is a strategic decision driven by market dynamics and profitability considerations. By concentrating its efforts on products with higher demand and stronger sales, Apple can optimize its resource allocation and maintain its competitive edge. This shift in focus allows Apple to allocate resources more efficiently, invest in research and development for popular products, and maintain its market leadership.
While the AirPort Extreme and its AirPort brethren were officially discontinued in 2018, Apple's exit from the router business began earlier. In 2016, Bloomberg reported that Apple had disbanded the team responsible for developing its routers. This signaled the company's intention to move away from the router market and focus on other areas.
Despite the discontinuation, Apple has committed to supporting existing AirPort products for several years, providing firmware updates to ensure their continued functionality and security. Additionally, Apple has introduced alternatives, such as the Linksys Velop mesh Wi-Fi system, which is sold through Apple's retail stores and offers comprehensive coverage for larger areas.
Apple's decision to exit the router business and focus on devices with stronger sales demonstrates its adaptability and commitment to staying agile in a rapidly evolving market. By responding to market trends and consumer demands, Apple ensures its ability to remain competitive and deliver products that resonate with its customers.
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Frequently asked questions
Apple discontinued the production of its Airport Extreme and other AirPort products in 2018.
The Airport Extreme and other AirPort products were discontinued due to a lack of significant market share and the presence of highly-motivated vendors in the Wi-Fi router market.
Yes, you can still use an Airport Extreme. Apple has stated that it will continue to support these products for a few years, and firmware updates are still available to keep them secure and functioning.
