Sidebar Sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

AirPort Express Stock Shortages Hint at Potential 802.11ac Update

MacRumors

MacRumors

macrumors bot
Original poster
Apr 12, 2001
68,120
38,875



Various Apple Store locations across the United States, as well as major third-party Mac retailers such as Best Buy, are experiencing a diminishing stock of Apple's AirPort Express in recent days, reports AppleInsider. The shortages may be due to Apple beginning to slow shipments of the Wi-Fi base station ahead of an update, although it may also simply be a temporary blip in the product's availability.

airport_express-800x496.jpg
While not a clear indication that a new version is imminent, the stock-outs are notable as supply of the Express has been consistent since it was last refreshed over a year ago. The timing is also suspect given the first AirPort Express debuted in 2004, with Apple releasing two subsequent generations at four-year intervals. The last iteration featured a redesign and dual-band 802.11n compatibility.
Click to expand...
The AirPort Express was updated last year with a design similar to the Apple TV set-top box as well as new features including simultaneous dual-band 802.11n connectivity for improved performance. Earlier this year, a new Broadcom Wi-Fi/Bluetooth card supporting the latest 802.11ac Wi-Fi standard surfaced and that standard has since been appearing in Apple's latest Macs and new versions of the AirPort Extreme and Time Capsule base stations introduced back in June. It seems likely that any update to the AirPort Express would bring similar support for 802.11ac Wi-Fi.

The current-generation AirPort Express sells for $99.

Article Link: AirPort Express Stock Shortages Hint at Potential 802.11ac Update
 
Article Link
https://www.macrumors.com/2013/09/03/airport-express-stock-shortages-hint-at-potential-802-11ac-update/
Nice! But still hard-pressed to actually get one since my 6-year-old Airport Extreme is still performing flawlessly... wonder how the two would work together with the Express extending the network...
 
I bought the current-gen one last year as an extender to the upstairs of my house, and the range is incredible. Network throughput does drop off in some corners but I can get the full speed of my internet from everywhere, including halfway down the block!
 
Can't wait for the best router to get even better! I have an AC express on each floor of my house and get the most out of my 50/25 file connection wherever I am plus 300 Mbps LAN speed. By far the simplest and most effective way to extend any wifi network for a low price and super easy setup.
 
I just wish I had a laptop that could use the next standard

*ahem* Apple update your Macbook Pro please *ahem*
 
I would love to see the return of the "direct plug into wall" that was the original Express... Possibly something that looks like a wifi antenna with a USB port in the bottom section?
 
Uh-oh..

I've just bought one of these from an Apple Store on the 26th August.. But I've used it..

What's the returns policy on a) using the device and wanting to return it. or b) the product being refreshed and wanting the newer model?

Do Apple have any leniency buying a product just before it's updated?
 
They need to give it Gigabit Ethernet, my internet is now 120Mbit/s and my house is full Gigabit because of that, 100Mbit/s ports just does not cut it any more.
 
JUiCEJamie said:
I've just bought one of these from an Apple Store on the 26th August.. But I've used it..

What's the returns policy on a) using the device and wanting to return it. or b) the product being refreshed and wanting the newer model?

Do Apple have any leniency buying a product just before it's updated?
Click to expand...

Generally, products purchased directly from Apple have a 14 day return policy.
 
Yes!

Looking forward to AC + GbE :)

Would love to see the return of the plug in unit as it is so much cleaner on the wall but beggars can't be choosers.
 
I'll probably push the button on this when I get the next rMBP.

My G2 Time Capsule runs like a champ but was purchased with my MBP so I'll pass them onto the family.
 
I forget, can you plug a HD into the new one for Time Machine backups or is the usb port still dedicated for printers?
 
I wonder if we're going to see 802.11ac on the new iPhone? Sure, you don't necessarily need it at this time, but it's something that looks good on the spec.
 
NightFox said:
I wonder if we're going to see 802.11ac on the new iPhone? Sure, you don't necessarily need it at this time, but it's something that looks good on the spec.
Click to expand...

I think it's a given. 11ac is more important to me on a mobile device than it is on a laptop given that the size and power constraints of a mobile phone dictate single radio setups. Thus we need as much speed per radio/antenna as possible.
 
Most likely all of Apple's devices will support AC (including iPhone, iPad, Apple TV). If the internal memory can support faster reads/writes, then you can sync your iDevice much faster over wireless.

I also hope it supports GBe on the new Airport Express, even if you can't truly get GBe from it. But it'll still be faster than 10/100
 
Koodauw said:
I wish they would go back to the 1st gen design
Click to expand...

I hope not. I have the latest wall plug in express. And it's good but feels a little heavy on the wall socket. If the new express still does air play then I'm in. I've been waiting for the new form express to have AC for a while (no other reason then future proofing myself).
 
Given that 802.11ad is already a published standard, is backwards compatible, leapfrogs to 7Gbps, etc. etc. - well, why bother with the ac effort at this point in time?
 
grundoon said:
Given that 802.11ad is already a published standard, is backwards compatible, leapfrogs to 7Gbps, etc. etc. - well, why bother with the ac effort at this point in time?
Click to expand...


ad only works on very short range I think...same room(?)
 
My money is on Apple adding a HDMI out port and bringing AirPlay to the new Airport Express.
 
guitarman777 said:
Nice! But still hard-pressed to actually get one since my 6-year-old Airport Extreme is still performing flawlessly... wonder how the two would work together with the Express extending the network...
Click to expand...

It would drop down to N so frankly I wouldn't bother. If you are fine with the performance for your current one just wait until it kicks over to replace it.

I'm going to wait at least until both my iPhone and iPad can do AC before I bother. Might wait for my computer in truth. Or even Apple TV. Im thinking that will be updated around the holidays for AC and BT4 if it doesn't have it. Hopefully a little more storage and some jazzier graphics as well. If yes then that's when I'm likely to update my router cause I do Netflix a lot.

----------
JUiCEJamie said:
I've just bought one of these from an Apple Store on the 26th August.. But I've used it..

What's the returns policy on a) using the device and wanting to return it. or b) the product being refreshed and wanting the newer model?

Do Apple have any leniency buying a product just before it's updated?
Click to expand...

They don't charge open box fees but they tend to be rather strict about the timing. Check your receipt to see if your area is 14 or 30 days (generally it's 14). You would be best off returning it within that period. You might be able to eek a third week if you are doing an exchange and they do announce something new but it depends on the managers where you are.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back