Airport Express vs Airport Extreme

[JefferyShin]

Hello,

I'm trying to find out the difference between the two routers.

I know that there are different number of ports, etc, but what I found on the website is that Express uses a DRAFT 802.11n, while the Extreme uses 802.11n, the official one.

What are the differences between the two?

Thanks.

 

[spinnerlys]

from http://www.apple.com/wifi/

 

[waw74]

Express uses a DRAFT 802.11n
Extreme uses 802.11n, the official one.

What are the differences between the two?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IEEE_802.11n-2009

Since 2007, the Wi-Fi Alliance has been certifying interoperability of "draft-N" products based on what was draft 2.0 of IEEE 802.11n specification.[3] The Alliance has upgraded its suite of compatibility tests for some enhancements finalized after draft 2.0. Furthermore, it has affirmed that all draft-n certified products remain compatible with the products conforming to the final standards.[4]

 

[rgarjr]

The Express is more like a portable router, or to stream your Itunes music via AirTunes.

 

[angemon89]

The main differences are just that: the number of ports. Of course they each have features that set them apart, but the number of ports is their main difference. If you require hooking up things to your network via Ethernet then youre going to need the extreme. If your setup is purely wireless then the express is best. You'll get the same wireless speeds from both.

I have both

 

[gwerhart0800]

A big difference is that the Extreme can support both 2.4Ghz and 5Ghz networks simultaneously. The Express is limited to one or the other, but not both at the same time. I also think there are limits on the number of devices that can be connected on the wireless side, but that is usually not an issue for home networks.

 

[occamsrazor]

I'd like to know if there is any speed difference between the two - purely in terms of the wireless link, as I'm considering one to use only as an access point (not router). Has anyone seen an actual side-by-side test?

 

[gwerhart0800]

I have a strong feeling (but no evidence) that the smaller size of the Express makes antenna placement more limited and therefore, it will not perform as will as an Extreme at the same location relative to your other wireless devices. I will be upgrading my office from an Express to a TC once my patent bonus $$$ shows up in my paycheck. That would be my best chance to measure a difference. My current config runs an Express in ProxySTA mode to a Gig switch that connects to all my office toys. I am on my second Gig switch ... both this one and the previous one periodically go nuts and have to be power cycled. I am thinking that switching to a TC will kill two birds with one stone ... I will get better throughput with the new TC because of the better antenna and I will eliminate the flaky switch from the config.