Airport Express?

[hayduke]

I'm a little confused about the airport express. Can I use it to replace my wireless router? Right now I have a cable mode box, which feeds into a VOIP box, then a wireless router. I don't have any computers on the wired ports, but I would like to occasionally connect one computer via hardwire. I guess the main reason I'm confused is that at some point I got the impression that the Airport Express had to be used in conjunction with the AirPort Extreme, but now I'm pretty sure that's only if you want to use the Express as a wi-fi extender. Lastly, is the Extreme worth the extra $70 if its your primary router in a home?

 

[balamw]

Lastly, is the Extreme worth the extra $70 if its your primary router in a home?

IMHO the express is not really a very good wireless router replacement, being that it only has one ethernet port, so you would not be able to plug it in to your broadband connection and a wired computer at the same time. The Extreme has both LAN and WAN ethernet ports., plus a modem port. As a Wireless Access Point (with the access port configured for either LAN or WAN), the Express is a great little box.

Both support printer sharing though USB port, but only the Express supports AirTunes for wireless audio from iTunes. The Express is also good at extending the network of any WDS enabled access point, not just the Extreme.

The Extreme is definitely more flexible overall, but if that's worth $70 is for you to decide.

B

 

[hcuar]

If you want to save 70 bucks and don't care about the lack of a hardwired port... Go for the Express. I have the extreme because I couldn't stand not having the wired port. It's come in handy. One of my friends at work loves the airtunes capability of his express. It's all about what's important to you.

 

[mad jew]

The Express only gives you a single ethernet port meaning that you can't hardwire computers to it if a modem's already plugged in.

The Extreme offers only a few benefits over the Express, the main ones for you being the extra ethernet port and the ability to have 50 clients instead of 10. Maybe look at a cheaper alternative from Linksys that'll give you four extra ports too.

 

[hayduke]

Hmmm....

Maybe look at a cheaper alternative from Linksys that'll give you four extra ports too.

I thought about this. I currently have an old Netgear 802.11b router and I wouldn't mind having 802.11g (yes, I know Apple support this too...). Obviously other routers are cheaper than Apple's so maybe that still makes the most sense. I'd like one that supports USB printer sharing too. I haven't looked to see if non-Apple wireless routers support this. I like the idea of buying a cheaper router, but I wish it was compatible with the Express too so that I could stream to my stereo. I don't think I want to pop for an Extreme and an Express. I'm probably better off putting the money into a MacMini!!!!