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Airport Express and 802.11ac
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I dunno, but I read somewhere else in this forum that it was 4 years between the previous and current models.
Of course, Apple wouldn't be so stupid as to release 802.11ac devices and wait 4 years to update the Express, but they might wait a few months, and if they do that, so will I.
Then again, there's no guarantee that the iPad 5 will have the AC spec, but that's why they call it MacRumors, right?
Of course, Apple wouldn't be so stupid as to release 802.11ac devices and wait 4 years to update the Express, but they might wait a few months, and if they do that, so will I.
Then again, there's no guarantee that the iPad 5 will have the AC spec, but that's why they call it MacRumors, right?
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Perhaps.
Then again, the only reason I went with the Extreme is because the Express didn't have 802.11ac. They got the extra $100 out of me. I wonder how many more?
There's no way to prove this, but I imagine that Apple would net more profit keeping 802.11ac exclusive to the AirPort Extreme. Otherwise, the Express is more than enough for most people. Apple knows that. It's the same situation as with the Macs. Why do I have to order the high-end iMac to upgrade the GPU? Because Apple knows what most people would just order the cheaper model with improved GPU if they could.
It's not the most consumer-friendly policy, sure, but it definitely doesn't lose them money. Apple knows what it's doing.
Sure, profit on the Extreme, maybe, but the price for that would be a whole bunch of pissed-off iPad purchasers and would-be purchasers. They're going to expect to reap the benefits of the ac spec now, without having to buy a lot more router than they need, or they (and me) will probably wait for the iPad 6.
Buy an iPad that's only going to connect at half-speed or less, or pay a $100 speed tax? Hmmmmm... hard choice! If I'm buying new, I won't be buying obsolete hardware that doesn't conform to the latest standards, and I won't be blackmailed into paying twice the price.
I don't need the 5, I want it, but I can wait. Just like a lot of other people.
Or maybe they'll announce the Express ac compliant on the 22nd.
NMF:
At this point there's not much below the US$150 mark with AC so it could actually gain them market share to have a very competitive device in the Airport Express.
Is it about profits or increasing share?
At this point there's not much below the US$150 mark with AC so it could actually gain them market share to have a very competitive device in the Airport Express.
Is it about profits or increasing share?
Or maybe they'll announce the Express ac compliant on the 22nd.
Maybe!
Though, I think you're vastly overestimating the number of potential iPad customers who have even heard of 802.11ac. Or 802.11n for that matter. Or G.
Uh, profit? This is Apple we're talking about here.
Well, this is just MHO, of course, but I would think that building the ac spec into an iPad would instantly make it a mainstream consumer thing, something the average consumer would want to take advantage of without feeling they're being gouged.
It may have been somewhat exotic up until now, confined to a few devices, but build it into the iPad and now you've made it a standard. I don't think the public is ready to pay extra for something that should be standard. I also don't think the average public would know the difference between the specs, as NMF said, but it will surely be used as a sales tool (Wireless twice as fast as the "old" iPad"!!!)
But then, as (s)he also said, this is Apple.
It may have been somewhat exotic up until now, confined to a few devices, but build it into the iPad and now you've made it a standard. I don't think the public is ready to pay extra for something that should be standard. I also don't think the average public would know the difference between the specs, as NMF said, but it will surely be used as a sales tool (Wireless twice as fast as the "old" iPad"!!!)
But then, as (s)he also said, this is Apple.
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Exactly. It'll be "Ultra-Fast Wireless" just like LTE on the iPhone 5. Nobody knows what that is, lol. Mainstream consumers will buy the iPad 5 and not even know that they're not getting 802.11ac speeds. These types of things only matter to nerds on the Internet. "Normal" people won't know or care. Ignorance is bliss!
If it were for the nerds on the Internets, we'd all be hooked up to the internet via Gigabit Ethernet so 802.11ac would actually be put to use appropriately.
I may be missing something here, but what exactly do you plan on using your iPad for that would be enhanced by 802.11ac wireless? Unless you have gigabit FiOs internet, then 802.11n is plenty sufficient. AC wireless is good for doing network data transfers where people want gigabit ethernet-like speeds using WiFi. For surfing the web/streaming media/playing games...on the iPad won't make much of a difference. Sure, Apple could do it and advertise "twice as fast" on the new iPad but there would be little practical value IMO.
...but what about an ac access point? This is why I want an Express ac to go with my ac Extreme.
IMO, if you're looking to get an ac access point you'll have to get another extreme. Even if you had two ac to extend your network, the extended network would not be ac. I tried last year's model with the express and realize it extends the 2.4 Ghz and not the 5 Ghz.