Airport extreme 6th gen. worth it? or 5th also ok?

[goudvarken]

I'm looking for a new router, still have a simple one standing.

Was looking at the new 6th gen, but don't know if it is worth the money for me.

Don't have AC compatible gear yet (iphone 5, ipad mini, macbook pro mid 2010, imac 27" mid 2011), and if buy it second handed i can get it for around €140,-

if i buy a 5th gen. i can get 1 including 3 airport express units for around € 100,-

what is a better deal, my feeling says the second option.

 

[mojolicious]

If the Expresses are third gen (ie simultaneous dual band) then that's a fantastic deal, assuming you've got a use for them. And if you don't have a use for them you could sell them for more than €100.

I've just bought an 'unused' fifth gen Extreme for under £45, and both the UK and US Apple Stores have refurbs at roughly 50% discount (£69 in UK). The latest Time Capsule makes sense from a future-proofing perspective, but I can't see much point in paying the premium for the latest Extreme unless you envisage yourself data-swapping between two AC-capable Macs in the near future.

 

[goudvarken]

If the Expresses are third gen (ie simultaneous dual band) then that's a fantastic deal, assuming you've got a use for them. And if you don't have a use for them you could sell them for more than €100.

I've just bought an 'unused' fifth gen Extreme for under £45, and both the UK and US Apple Stores have refurbs at roughly 50% discount (£69 in UK). The latest Time Capsule makes sense from a future-proofing perspective, but I can't see much point in paying the premium for the latest Extreme unless you envisage yourself data-swapping between two AC-capable Macs in the near future.

Would be a second gen. (a1264) would only need it to connect with some cheapass speakers to have music in a few rooms.

 

[mojolicious]

Ah, the price makes more sense. Still a real bargain if your main use for the Expresses is music rather than data (they appear to be ~ £40 on eBay).

Haven't seen the latest Express in real life but I'd say the 'plug' form factor of the older models is an advantage, too.

 

[KattDaDon]

If the Expresses are third gen (ie simultaneous dual band) then that's a fantastic deal, assuming you've got a use for them. And if you don't have a use for them you could sell them for more than €100.

I've just bought an 'unused' fifth gen Extreme for under £45, and both the UK and US Apple Stores have refurbs at roughly 50% discount (£69 in UK). The latest Time Capsule makes sense from a future-proofing perspective, but I can't see much point in paying the premium for the latest Extreme unless you envisage yourself data-swapping between two AC-capable Macs in the near future.

I think you mean't to say 2nd Gen. AirPort Express. There isn't a 3rd Gen. yet

 

[mojolicious]

There isn't a 3rd Gen. yet

*visits Wikipedia*

History
June 2004: AirPort Express released
March 2008: AirPort Express 802.11n (1st Generation)
June 2012: AirPort Express 802.11n (2nd Generation)

Ah, okay. I didn't realise the numbering was rebooted with the introduction of the 11n.

 

[KattDaDon]

*visits Wikipedia*

Ah, okay. I didn't realise the numbering was rebooted with the introduction of the 11n.

Yeah, a lot of people thought it was the 3rd Gen. including me at first but then I understood why