Apple Updates Airport Express (802.11n)

MacRumors · Mar 17, 2008, 09:10 AM

Apple updated the Airport Express today:

Quote:

Apple today updated its AirPort Express mobile base station with 802.11n to deliver up to five times the performance and twice the range of the previous model*. Priced at just $99, AirPort Express is the world’s smallest 802.11n-based mobile base station. It can be plugged directly into the wall for wireless Internet connectivity and USB printing at home or easily brought on the road for wireless freedom wherever there is an Internet connection. AirPort Express features AirTunes, which works seamlessly with iTunes® to give users a simple and inexpensive way to wirelessly stream iTunes music from a PC or Mac to any room in the house.

As expected, the new Airport Express adds 802.11n networking. The price remains $99 and is available immediately.

Article Link

Macmaniac · Mar 17, 2008, 09:12 AM

Looks like Apple has been a bit leaky as of late, nothings a surprise anymore!

Harpy007 · Mar 17, 2008, 09:12 AM

Products on Mondays now Apple? That's great!!

QCassidy352 · Mar 17, 2008, 09:13 AM

question about this (and I guess about the AEBS and Time Capsule as well) - you can connect a usb printer, but what about a multifunction printer? i.e. if you have a printer/scanner hooked up to an airport express, is the scanning feature networked, or just the printing?

longofest · Mar 17, 2008, 09:13 AM

Apple just updated the product page. The 802.11n is the only addition to the unit that I can tell. Nice enhancement, though adding a few more simultaneous users (10) would be nice.

lazydesi · Mar 17, 2008, 09:16 AM

US model $99

Aus Model $149

what a ripoff apple

longofest · Mar 17, 2008, 09:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by QCassidy352

question about this (and I guess about the AEBS and Time Capsule as well) - you can connect a usb printer, but what about a multifunction printer? i.e. if you have a printer/scanner hooked up to an airport express, is the scanning feature networked, or just the printing?

That's a big no. Just printing (if you can print at all). Plus, you will only really get basic printing capabilities. For instance, if your printer supports a bunch of advanced features like borderless or utilities, you probably won't be able to access them.

At least, that's the way it was when I used USB printer sharing a year or so ago.

Digital Skunk · Mar 17, 2008, 09:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by longofest

Nice enhancement, though adding a few more simultaneous users (10) would be nice.

Agreed. Glad the price stayed at $100 for it too. This might be a nice option for me now that the price is right and the specs have been improved.

phatspider · Mar 17, 2008, 09:18 AM

Do we think they announced today because they have something bigger/better for tomorrow (iMac/Mini update?)

Fingers crossed!

supercooled · Mar 17, 2008, 09:22 AM

Holy crap, US/Canadian price parity!

http://store.apple.com/1-800-MY-APPL...nplm=MB321AM/A

Condolences to the Aussie chap.

-------------------------------------------------

Just a quick question for those who have the older generation or intend on purchasing this new one, how do you use it? Exactly what is the placement/application. I'm thinking this is a nice addition to the night side table with some discrete speakers. I could also see these in the kitchen instead of a analog radio. Bathroom too?

Bern · Mar 17, 2008, 09:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by longofest

That's a big no. Just printing (if you can print at all). Plus, you will only really get basic printing capabilities. For instance, if your printer supports a bunch of advanced features like borderless or utilities, you probably won't be able to access them.

At least, that's the way it was when I used USB printer sharing a year or so ago.

But I have my Brother 640 multi-function connected to my AE and I can use the scanning feature just fine. In fact it scans exactly as it would if I were to do it via usb as does the printing. We have two Macs connected to the AE and use the Brother with it via Leopard, XP and Vista in exactly the same way and it does everything it should.

mdtsuk · Mar 17, 2008, 09:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Harpy007

Products on Mondays now Apple? That's great!!

Tuesday, Friday and Now Monday... Where is the predictability in that.

I preferred my weekly Tuesday "the apple store is down!" threads, now things could change at any time, and I wouldn't know...

Merkuryy · Mar 17, 2008, 09:25 AM

Extremly good to hear!!!!! if AAPL put the price at 99$, it means that others manufacturer have to drop the price at least to 59$ to keep on fighting for the market

CalmEnvy · Mar 17, 2008, 09:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by supercooled

Holy crap, US/Canadian price parity!

http://store.apple.com/1-800-MY-APPL...nplm=MB321AM/A

Condolences to the Aussie chap.

I noticed that and had the same reaction. Good thing Apple is pleasing the Canadian buyers by having items near price parity (this is the first Apple item I've seen as the same price).

KindredMAC · Mar 17, 2008, 09:32 AM

This has got to be one of the most important product releases this year for Apple.

And no, I'm not being funny.

grooveattack · Mar 17, 2008, 09:33 AM

is this just an American up date? uk site not showing any update!!

chrisgeleven · Mar 17, 2008, 09:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by QCassidy352

question about this (and I guess about the AEBS and Time Capsule as well) - you can connect a usb printer, but what about a multifunction printer? i.e. if you have a printer/scanner hooked up to an airport express, is the scanning feature networked, or just the printing?

That will only happen if the all-in-one printer's drivers/software supports networking. Most all-in-ones do not support this.

Probably the easiest way to tell is if your all-in-one has an ethernet and/or wireless built-in. Odds are without that, it won't support networking.

Chansey · Mar 17, 2008, 09:36 AM

Would this work just as well as my built-in output for surround sound via VLC/dvd player? (5.1)

4np · 10:07 AM

It's only available in the US [edit]Canada and Australia[/edit], not in Europe for example...

However, apple updating the aiport express to 802.11n (draft 2) might be a clue for 802.11n support in a next iPhone revision?

cmcconkey · Mar 17, 2008, 09:40 AM

I haven't ever seen this asked, can you plug a game system (original Xbox or PS2) into it and use it as a wireless adapter? Pure curiosity, not sure if I would do it or not. Could you hook a NAS up to it via the ethernet port, this would be more like what I would do with it. A NAS and a printer, that would be really nice.

Thanks
Christopher

phatspider · Mar 17, 2008, 09:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4np

It's only available in the US, not in Europe for example...

However, apple updating the aiport express to 802.11n (draft 2) might be a clue for 802.11n support in a next iPhone revision?

Given the leaked page was a Swiss page i'm sure Europe will see their pages updated shortly

grooveattack · Mar 17, 2008, 09:45 AM

thats odd, just been chatting to apple on their site and the lady seemed to think the express CAN support a hard drive! is that true or was i lied to?

nja247 · Mar 17, 2008, 09:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by grooveattack

is this just an American up date? uk site not showing any update!!

ooks like they only did North America today. I'm sure the rest of the world will happen very soon.

I ordered one from the UK Educational Store anyhow (saves £7) as I assume the delay in shipping is for the new model as the US store now shows 24 hours versus 1 week. If not they'll sort it out.

yg17 · Mar 17, 2008, 09:46 AM

Did I just sleep through an entire day, or did they really release a product on Monday?

4np · 09:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by supercooled

Holy crap, US/Canadian price parity!

http://store.apple.com/1-800-MY-APPL...nplm=MB321AM/A

Condolences to the Aussie chap.

Actually, condolences to you

US $ 99,- = AU $ 105,68. So, if the Aiport Express will be sold in Oz for AU $ 99,-, it will be a US $ 6,38 reduction to the Aussie chap

It might be condolences to us Europeans as well though; as € 99,- = US $ 156,12. If Apple really used price parity, they should sell the Airport Express over here for about € 75,- (= US $ 99,- = € 62,78 + 19% taxes).

I think I'll wait a while and buy it in Sydney instead

Mar 17, 2008, 09:12 AM	#2
Macmaniac macrumors 68040 Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: A tiny spec in the "Garden State", 1 square mile in area, somewhere on the outskirts of town by the railroad tracks	Looks like Apple has been a bit leaky as of late, nothings a surprise anymore! __________________ The customer is NOT always right

Mar 17, 2008, 09:13 AM	#4
QCassidy352 Contributor Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Boston, MA	question about this (and I guess about the AEBS and Time Capsule as well) - you can connect a usb printer, but what about a multifunction printer? i.e. if you have a printer/scanner hooked up to an airport express, is the scanning feature networked, or just the printing? __________________ "If Jesus Himself came back to earth and turned water to wine, half of MacRumors would say 'meh, this is red. I wanted white.'"

Mar 17, 2008, 09:16 AM	#6
lazydesi macrumors 6502 Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Gr8 Adelaide	US model $99 Aus Model $149 what a ripoff apple __________________ MBP 2.26g 4g 320g iPhone gggs 16g Black AppleTv - 160g

Mar 17, 2008, 09:22 AM	#10
supercooled macrumors 6502 Join Date: Sep 2007	Holy crap, US/Canadian price parity! http://store.apple.com/1-800-MY-APPL...nplm=MB321AM/A Condolences to the Aussie chap. ------------------------------------------------- Just a quick question for those who have the older generation or intend on purchasing this new one, how do you use it? Exactly what is the placement/application. I'm thinking this is a nice addition to the night side table with some discrete speakers. I could also see these in the kitchen instead of a analog radio. Bathroom too? __________________ Mac Pro 2.8Ghz \| MBP 2.16Ghz \| iPhone 8GB flickr

Mar 17, 2008, 09:25 AM	#13
Merkuryy macrumors regular Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Shanghai, China	Extremly good to hear!!!!! if AAPL put the price at 99$, it means that others manufacturer have to drop the price at least to 59$ to keep on fighting for the market __________________ MBP 2.2ghz iPod Nano 4G(1G) iPod 5G(30G),iPod Shuffle(2G),Sony NW-E407,Creative Muvo2 (4G),iPod Mini(4G),YP-T10(2G),iPod Touch(8G) ,iPod 6G(80G)now

Mar 17, 2008, 09:12 AM	#3
Harpy007 macrumors regular Join Date: Dec 2006	Products on Mondays now Apple? That's great!!

Mar 17, 2008, 09:13 AM	#5
longofest Demi-God (Editor) Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Falls Church, VA	Apple just updated the product page. The 802.11n is the only addition to the unit that I can tell. Nice enhancement, though adding a few more simultaneous users (10) would be nice.

Mar 17, 2008, 09:18 AM	#9
phatspider macrumors regular Join Date: May 2005	Do we think they announced today because they have something bigger/better for tomorrow (iMac/Mini update?) Fingers crossed!

Mar 17, 2008, 09:32 AM	#15
KindredMAC macrumors 6502a Join Date: Sep 2003	This has got to be one of the most important product releases this year for Apple. And no, I'm not being funny. __________________ "We want to let go of this notion that for Apple to win, Microsoft has to lose." - Steve Jobs

Mar 17, 2008, 09:33 AM	#16
grooveattack macrumors 6502 Join Date: Jan 2008	is this just an American up date? uk site not showing any update!! __________________ *Imac 24" 3.06GHz Intel Core 2 Duo, 4GB 1066MHz DDR3, 1.0TB Drive, NVIDIA GEFORCE GT 130 512MB + 16GB iPhone*

Mar 17, 2008, 09:36 AM	#18
Chansey macrumors member Join Date: Jan 2007	Would this work just as well as my built-in output for surround sound via VLC/dvd player? (5.1)

Mar 17, 2008, 09:38 AM	#19
4np macrumors 6502a Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: The Netherlands	It's only available in the US [edit]Canada and Australia[/edit], not in Europe for example... However, apple updating the aiport express to 802.11n (draft 2) might be a clue for 802.11n support in a next iPhone revision? Last edited by 4np : Mar 17, 2008 at 10:07 AM.

Mar 17, 2008, 09:40 AM	#20
cmcconkey macrumors 6502 Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Rossville, GA	I haven't ever seen this asked, can you plug a game system (original Xbox or PS2) into it and use it as a wireless adapter? Pure curiosity, not sure if I would do it or not. Could you hook a NAS up to it via the ethernet port, this would be more like what I would do with it. A NAS and a printer, that would be really nice. Thanks Christopher __________________ 2.66Ghz 4GB 15.4" UMBP MacBook (White) PowerMac G5 Dual 1.8 Ghz 3GB iPod Touch (16GB) - 3G 16GB iPhone Nikon D40 (2 Lens Kit)

Mar 17, 2008, 09:45 AM	#22
grooveattack macrumors 6502 Join Date: Jan 2008	thats odd, just been chatting to apple on their site and the lady seemed to think the express CAN support a hard drive! is that true or was i lied to? __________________ *Imac 24" 3.06GHz Intel Core 2 Duo, 4GB 1066MHz DDR3, 1.0TB Drive, NVIDIA GEFORCE GT 130 512MB + 16GB iPhone*

Mar 17, 2008, 09:46 AM	#24
yg17 macrumors Demi-God Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: St. Louis, MO	Did I just sleep through an entire day, or did they really release a product on Monday? __________________ 2.66 GHz quad core Mac Pro, 3 GB RAM, 2x500GB WD Black (RAID0), 2x1TB WD Black (RAID1), LG Blu-Ray Burner, GT120, Dell U2410 13" Unibody MacBook 2.4 GHz 120 GB iPod Classic; 16 GB iPhone 3G

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