Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
Airport Extreme worth it?
- Thread starter ppenn
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
Nope -- probably not worth it any more.
You're aware that Apple has effectively discontinued development on their routers, are you not?
The current Airport Extreme is still being sold, but looks to be "the last of its product line". And the current unit is now… 3 years old?
My suggestion is that you investigate one of the new "mesh" systems out there:
- eero
- google wifi
- ubiquiti
- Netgear Orbi
- Luma
There are LOTS of user reviews and answered questions on these (check amazon).
I would recommend that you set a date in the future -- say, 60 days -- and in the meantime "do your due diligence" to research what's available and make your decision.
I'll probably be going for the Orbi in the next few months.
It's the only one of the "new systems" that can be managed effectively from a web browser.
All the rest require some kind of smartphone and app (which I don't have).
You're aware that Apple has effectively discontinued development on their routers, are you not?
The current Airport Extreme is still being sold, but looks to be "the last of its product line". And the current unit is now… 3 years old?
My suggestion is that you investigate one of the new "mesh" systems out there:
- eero
- google wifi
- ubiquiti
- Netgear Orbi
- Luma
There are LOTS of user reviews and answered questions on these (check amazon).
I would recommend that you set a date in the future -- say, 60 days -- and in the meantime "do your due diligence" to research what's available and make your decision.
I'll probably be going for the Orbi in the next few months.
It's the only one of the "new systems" that can be managed effectively from a web browser.
All the rest require some kind of smartphone and app (which I don't have).
Thanks for the input. Most of those are not in the same price range though. Luma looks more in my budget. I'll continue to research these options. It's also important that I have a few Ethernet outputs in the router a well.
Thanks!
penn wrote:
"It's also important that I have a few Ethernet outputs in the router a well."
If I'm not mistaken, the only one of the "mesh systems" that HAS multiple ethernet ports is the Orbi.
All the others have a "max" of just 2 per unit, I believe.
However -- you could always plug in a "dumb" either switch and add ports that way...
"It's also important that I have a few Ethernet outputs in the router a well."
If I'm not mistaken, the only one of the "mesh systems" that HAS multiple ethernet ports is the Orbi.
All the others have a "max" of just 2 per unit, I believe.
However -- you could always plug in a "dumb" either switch and add ports that way...
almost got an orbi setup for our new larger home earlier this year but found our airport extreme did just fine providing coverage. also like being able to plug in usb drive to airport extreme for wifi time capsule backups.
does anyone know if any of the new mesh systems allow attached usb drives for wifi time capsule backups?
does anyone know if any of the new mesh systems allow attached usb drives for wifi time capsule backups?
AirPort Extreme is still a very capable router. I would buy it again today if I didn't already own one. I switched from Netgear's nighthawk to the AE.
I would just get a time capsule if you value your time.
I would just get a time capsule if you value your time.
honestly, i would just buy a used one off of eBay etc. lots of people are dumping them after hearing the news that Apple discontinued their wifi division.
I was going to do the same and ended up purchasing Google Wifi...i had nothing but problems and my Time Capsule and Airport Expresses were way more reliable. Luckily I tested the new system before selling my old stuff. iMO, they are still great routers. But then again, i wouldn't pay the $200 price tag....find a used one!
FWIW, the Airport Extreme is showing up in Refurb store for $129.99 of late - I just picked one up to replace my first gen Time Capsule, which I'll keep for TM backups, and integrate into my network that has a couple of Airport expresses.
I do like the new mesh (or "mesh" in some cases) idea, but wouldn't mind seeing it develop a bit - each of the systems seems to have drawbacks . . . hoping this will tide me over. (The network is running fine, but realize I need a bit more coverage and would prefer to have some redundancy given the TC is pushing 8 years.)
I do like the new mesh (or "mesh" in some cases) idea, but wouldn't mind seeing it develop a bit - each of the systems seems to have drawbacks . . . hoping this will tide me over. (The network is running fine, but realize I need a bit more coverage and would prefer to have some redundancy given the TC is pushing 8 years.)
I'm like you in the sense that I do not like the "mesh" systems. I need one strong router with multiplier Ethernet ports.I'm not looking for a TC solution as that is not important to me.
After the research I've done I probably will buy an AE even though it's many years old. I'll still have my express to bridge if I need to. I appreciate everyone's input and opinions.
I am as happy as a clam with my Airport Extreme, Started out with Gen 5 and did an good job of covering my 2700 square ft home. When the Gen 6 was released in June 20, 2013, I upgraded and installed a Power Line adaptor and placed the Gen 5 on the remote end in a roaming network config. I have no problems for three years. I plan to purchase a backup Gen 6 soon, just in case.
I picked up a Google Wifi for our house and I LOVE it. I have a "long" house and needed the mesh to cover the house and yard. I use a switch for the ports I need out of my U-verse box.
This system replaced an AirPort Extreme and AirPort Express setup I had been running and I haven't looked back.
This system replaced an AirPort Extreme and AirPort Express setup I had been running and I haven't looked back.
the people stating that the AE is not the best option must have had bad experiences. I bought an Airport Extreme in 2008, and I am still using that same one now, almost 9 years later. Always on, hardly ever needs a reboot.
I am going to replace it shortly. Ebay is full of new model ones for under $100. A steal if you ask me. I used to have the Linksys and Netgear ones in the 2000s, and they weren't not nearly as reliable as what i have experienced with the Extreme.
You can even pick up a new model time machine for a good deal.
I am going to replace it shortly. Ebay is full of new model ones for under $100. A steal if you ask me. I used to have the Linksys and Netgear ones in the 2000s, and they weren't not nearly as reliable as what i have experienced with the Extreme.
You can even pick up a new model time machine for a good deal.
The problem with buying into "AE technology" now is that it's uncertain just how much longer Apple will continue to support their older hardware.
Since the Airport development team has been disabanded by Apple, could we see older AE units (such as the flat model) reach that point where they don't work properly with newer Macs because there's no version of the Airport software that will recognize or update them?
This is not to imply that old AE's won't work with vintage Macs running older versions of the OS.
But we could see the time when they'll no longer be fully functional with -newer- Macs.
BTW, as mentioned earlier, I've been using an older "flat" AE for around 7 years now with nary a "hiccup" from it. It "just works". But it -IS- growing older, and since the time for replacing it is nearing, when that time comes, I'll spring for one of the "mesh" solutions...
Since the Airport development team has been disabanded by Apple, could we see older AE units (such as the flat model) reach that point where they don't work properly with newer Macs because there's no version of the Airport software that will recognize or update them?
This is not to imply that old AE's won't work with vintage Macs running older versions of the OS.
But we could see the time when they'll no longer be fully functional with -newer- Macs.
BTW, as mentioned earlier, I've been using an older "flat" AE for around 7 years now with nary a "hiccup" from it. It "just works". But it -IS- growing older, and since the time for replacing it is nearing, when that time comes, I'll spring for one of the "mesh" solutions...