AE or AEBS as Bridge Dilemna...

[Wild-Bill]

Hi. Looking for some advice on whether to purchase an Airport Express or an AEBS for bridging Wireless-N in my apartment.

Currently I run a Mac Pro via gigabit ethernet to a D-Link DGL-4300 wireless-G router. My Powerbook is wireless-G and connects wirelessly. I also have an ipod Touch which is obviously G. I just recently purchased an AppleTV to get some HD and iTunes streaming in the bedroom, so the AppleTV is not located near the D-Link where I could connect it via ethernet.

So I need Wireless-N in order to stream content to the AppleTV. I also need to maintain a wireless-G network for both the Powerbook and the iPod Touch.

I was considering buying a new router that did simultaneous G and N but it would be an awful waste of what's otherwise a great existing G router.

So my question is, should I get an Airport Express and run it in Bridge mode to provide wireless-N connectivity to the AppleTV and any other follow-on N products I may purchase, or should I go with the AEBS which would come with a USB port for an external hard drive?

Your thoughts?

 

[rgarjr]

U get more bang for yoru buck with the Extreme router I think.

 

[skorpien]

How many wireless N clients will be connecting? The Express can only handle 10 clients, while the Extreme will handle 50. And also, you mentioned a USB connected hard drive. If you do see yourself using that in the future and you want more than 10 clients on the N band, then the choice is obvious. Go with the Extreme. Otherwise the Express is more than sufficient I believe.

 

[waw74]

i have the same setup: Linsys router serving G, express serving N, and it works great.

Unless you see yourself wanting to add a hard drive, go for the express.

Plus with the express, you can plug speakers in, and have music from those speakers, your TV, and whichever computer you are running iTunes from, all in sync. And controlled from your iPod Touch.

I don't have an TV, just have an older G express that joins that network, and plays to speakers in the kitchen. works great except for when the microwave is running.