Apple Airport Express | 
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| Brand: Apple
Category: CE
List Price: $99.99
Buy New: $99.00
You Save: $0.99 (1%)
New (3) Used (4) from $70.00
Rating:  39 reviews
Sales Rank: 269
Format: Cd
Platforms: Macintosh, Windows
Media: Electronics
Autographed: No
Memorabilia: No
Operating System: Macintosh
Modem: None
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.4
Dimensions (in): 3 x 1.1 x 3.7
MPN: MB321LL/A
Model: MB321LL/A
UPC: 885909200979
EAN: 0885909200979
ASIN: B0015YJOK2
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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| Features:
| • | Take the music from the iTunes library on your computer and sends it wirelessly to any stereo or speakers in your home | | • | Print wirelessly through AirPort Express--its almost like having a printer in every room of the house | | • | Wirelessly share photos, movies, and other files without having to worry about slow data transmissions | | • | The AirPort Express Base Station now features 802.11n, the next-generation high-speed wireless technology included with most shipping Mac computers and some newer PCs with compatible cards | | • | Industry-standard encryption technologies built into AirPort Express, including WPA/WPA2 and 128-bit WEP, plus a built-in firewall that creates a barrier between your network and the Internet |
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| Editorial Reviews:
Product Description
Now with blazing 802.11n, the affordable AirPort Express is powerful enough to run a home Wi-Fi network, yet small enough to take on the road. Share your wireless network with up to 10 users, print documents, photos, and more from any room in the house to one central printer, play iTunes music through your stereo or powered speakers using AirTunes, and more.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 34 more reviews...
 Not like I had a choice... September 5, 2008
Stereobot (Minneapolis, MN)
I bought this product because I needed to get a wireless connection to my G5 Tower (across the house) that did not come with an airport extreme card (isn't compatible with the standard Extreme card). I would need to buy the Airport Extreme/ Bluetooth card for $140 and the "run away (runway?)" card for $40. Not going to happen.
I was sold on the Airport Express because it had an ethernet port, so I figured it would pick up the wireless signal from my Linksys WRT56G router and wire the Express to the G5. Also, the fact that I could print from it was cool because I have a Powerbook as well, being able to print from the laptop was a nice bonus. I also have a PC that was getting a weak signal from the Linksys router, so I figured this might help as it works as a repeater as well. All this for $100? not bad...
Here is where I ran into problems. I had a REALLY hard time getting the Express to work via ethernet with the G5. The guy at the Apple store said this would work. After a LOT of configuring, doing a lot of research, I was able to get it to work. Later on I was on the phone with Apple Care and I asked them if it should have been this hard to get working. They said that it should not work as the ethernet port is ONLY to connect to the Cable Modem, it is only supposed to receive the signal, not output it.
Somehow I was able to get it to do that. No problems since.
Then, for some reason I figured it would be a good idea to upgrade the firmware. BAD IDEA. It would connect to the internet for about 20 minutes, maybe less. Then it would lose connection to all the computers. I couldn't even change the settings with my powerbook, it would NOT recognize anything. I did the factory reset by pressing that small button with a pin. I would go through the whole set up again, and the cycle would continue. I had to go back to the first version of the firmware to get it working again.
Since I was using the Express with a Linksys router, the Apple Care people said they really couldn't help me trouble shoot because I wasn't using an Apple Base Station (I would if they were reasonably priced).
The documentation and instructions are very incomplete. There is nothing to help you trouble shoot the Express, and there is nothing to explain the different Wireless options available.. I could go on and on.. Since Linksys doesn't make OSX friendly drivers, and because I don't want to spend almost $200 on a wireless card for my G5, I'm stuck with the Express.
The Express would NOT work when I set it to act as a repeater using WDS, again, no info on how to configure. I set it to "Join an existing Network"
and with addition tweaking, it is sending the signal to my G5 via the ethernet port. But is it also sending the signal wirelessly as well? Why isn't my PC picking up its signal? (network security isnt the prob, that is fine).
I would say I am a "techie" person, I am always able to get computer related things set up and working, I built my own PC, so I should be able to trouble shoot this thing with little effort.
I'm a big fan of Apple, but the fact they make expensive networking products that only work if you use them only with other Apple products is a joke.
Final word is: This is ONLY a good product if you are using it as a portable router or have an Airport Base Station and your computers already have everything they need to receive a wireless signal.
 With PC, fails the ease of setup standard August 27, 2008
Gauteng (VA, United States)
I am here at 11 pm looking for validation and possible insight into why the Airport Express doesn't want to set up. I am using a Dell laptop with Windows XP SP2 and a built in 802.11b card. Apple is starting to look more and more like Microsoft in the 90's - pushy updaters,endless product tie ins and now flaky installations. As others have noted, the manual is nearly worthless. Disappointed in DC.
UPDATE - 3 days later - I have succeeded in connecting this twice and it works quite well then but both times the speaker connection failed overnight. Apple must know about this because the Google search results on failures and issues are numerous. PC users should stay from this half baked product if the primary interest is the AirTunes feature. Shame on you, Apple.
Just what I needed, times 3 August 25, 2008
Mont Mcclendon
I use three of these boxes. I turned off the wifi on my ISP-provided router. I wired one of these boxes to the router and created a wireless-N network. Plug in a set of good computer speakers and suddenly I have a great wifi signal and iTunes music in the bedroom. The second box extends the wifi signal in the living room and is hooked to the stereo. Presto, iTunes in there, too. The last box provides the same benefits in the kitchen. Toss in Apple Remote on my iPhone and you have much of the functionality of a Sonos whole-house audio system at a fraction of the cost.
 Wow! I had no idea it could do this! August 20, 2008
RJL (Texas)
I was looking to extend our wireless network (w/Time Machine as the base). As part of doing that, I discovered that this little unit can actually stream music to my nearby stereo, using my iPhone (or Macbook Pro) as the remote control! It took less than 10 minutes to extend my network AND get music (and Podcats) playing perfectly on our Onkyo receiver. The Airport Express shows up on my iPhone (using the free Remote application from Apple), and as a destination option from iTunes itself. I can even control the volume from the iPhone or iTunes. If I add another one of these puppies, I can have music in multiple rooms. Good to see that Apple really does put thought into their products. Good luck to Dell in theirs to play catch-up...
Airport Express is the right name for this product August 14, 2008
Ken Graham (Ontario, Canada)
Having read some of the negative comments about this device, I was a bit doubtful of it but, went ahead and bought one regardless. Like so much of what goes with a Mac it works well ...like it's supposed to, and it was a breeze to install.
The only bump in the road was connecting a Vista based PC which, through some electronic hiccup, only connects to the LAN occasionally. Because the Mac is my main 'puter, the Vista PC connection problem is no big deal; besides, what else is new with Windoze?
The Airport Express is a good investment and one that I'm happy I made.
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