Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
Airport refresh any time soon?
- Thread starter HiVolt
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
Fishrrman
macrumors Nehalem
Both replies 2 and 3 above are interesting.
Just wondering, -is- there going to be a new standard for wifi introduced any time in the foreseeable future?
If so, what improvements might it incorporate?
That said, I'm wondering if Apple might introduce its own version of the "meshed network" paradigm, similar to "eero" and "luma" (sp?), but with Apple's own "touches"...
Just wondering, -is- there going to be a new standard for wifi introduced any time in the foreseeable future?
If so, what improvements might it incorporate?
That said, I'm wondering if Apple might introduce its own version of the "meshed network" paradigm, similar to "eero" and "luma" (sp?), but with Apple's own "touches"...
davidg4781
macrumors 68040
kryten42
macrumors 6502
I think this combined with a meshed network would be a fantastic update. Use an Extreme as the primary router/access point and then add expresses to build out a meshed network. I would buy several for my house if this happened without a second thought.
o0OBillO0o
macrumors member
I am just as curious as the next person. What are the (yours or anyone's) requirements?
1GB speeds (and AC Wifi to a point) are sufficient for streaming audio and video streams to an AppleTV. What are you trying to achieve?
1GB speeds (and AC Wifi to a point) are sufficient for streaming audio and video streams to an AppleTV. What are you trying to achieve?
o0OBillO0o
macrumors member
I wonder why?
Could configuring a Mac Mini using macOS Server, as your gateway, and use the Apple Airport Extreme as access points in your network solve your PPPoE and IPv6 requirement? I know that the cost is increased.
o0OBillO0o
macrumors member
Well, you have a point about the PPPoE and IPv6.
Back to the target use for the Apple AirPort Extreme; Schools, small business, and average people.
Unless there are new standards for data communication AND there is a potential for a large market; would you create/refresh a product that is generally fault free within its design spec?
o0OBillO0o
macrumors member
Some thoughts:
I understand the desire for the AC specification, what do you like about the Apple Airport Express and why do you need it to have AC?
Now, if you own Apple Stuff, that has AC, why not get the Apple Airport Extreme? http://www.apple.com/shop/product/ME918LL/A/airport-extreme?fnode=58
I think the design spec for the Apple Airport Express is targeted to a small and simple "WiFi" adaptor/server for a small and simple wireless network. AC is outside the scope of the designed cost and capabilities.
Still, the Apple Airport Express makes a great Airplay endpoint, wired or wireless, connecting to an audio system via analog or digital cables. Maybe hat's a feature the Apple Airport Extreme and Time Capsule should have in the future?
whsbuss
macrumors 601
Well for me I have been using an Asus RT-AC68U for more than 2 years and its been great. I do use an extender b/c of dead spots. I did use the AE before the Asus and found that without external antennas I lost signal coverage. And why would I not want the Express to be AC compliant? All of my devices support it.
o0OBillO0o
macrumors member
I know your asking for AC inside the Express, Why not get a currently available product that has AC?
Anyways, it sounds like you want an AC extender/accesspoint, why not run some cable from your Asus RT-AC68U to another AC accesspoint?
Here is a solution, buy two Apple Airport extremes. Set one as "Create a network" and the other as "Extend a network"
Its all covered here: https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT202056
Anyways, it sounds like you want an AC extender/accesspoint, why not run some cable from your Asus RT-AC68U to another AC accesspoint?
Here is a solution, buy two Apple Airport extremes. Set one as "Create a network" and the other as "Extend a network"
Its all covered here: https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT202056
whsbuss
macrumors 601
I have an extender that's AC capable. I wish I could run cat6 but that is not possible.
o0OBillO0o
macrumors member
davidg4781
macrumors 68040
I wonder if they've kept the Express at N because they might not be able to do beamforming. With it being so small there may not be room for multiple antennas.
If you add an Express as a wireless extender does it slow your network down to N speeds?
If you add an Express as a wireless extender does it slow your network down to N speeds?
o0OBillO0o
macrumors member
When they do update the Express I'd like for them to revisit the previous design. Maybe not exactly, but I loved how you could just plug it into the wall. I'm sure there's a technical reason why the new design is better, but I'll still miss the old one.
satcomer
Suspended
Look at the 802.11 specs. I feel once the 802.11 AX come down the line with chips in Apple devices we will see new Apple routers!
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Multi-user_MIMO
MU-MIMO is in the current spec, and Apple could update to support that I suppose. Thing is Apple currently has no MU-MIMO client devices, so I think we are in a bit of chicken-egg deal here. If we see MU-MIMO in the new, rumored MacBook lines that would be a big clue... but I'm not convinced we will see it.
NT1440
macrumors P6
802.11ad may be in the works soon, Apple was one of the first (not the first) for their Extreme line to support the 802.11ac standard, but curiously the Express only supports N (likely because most of the benefits of AC requires the numerous antennas that the Extreme has).
I'm personally wondering if their routers will become the wireless power hubs sometime in the future.
kryten42
macrumors 6502
So Google just announced Google WiFi which is a mesh network device for home use (https://madeby.google.com/wifi/). This is exactly the sort of thing Apple needs to release. I put my name on the waitlist for the Google devices, will see what they are like when they are released, they are $129 each and I would probably need 3. They are AC1200 and GigE. I would probably replace my Airport Extreme AC and N versions with these, keep my expresses as wireless bridge clients for the few hardwire only devices I have in remote locations if needed.
...and you can get three for $299. Expensive, but cheaper than the current mesh network competition.
It looks nice but I kind of wish they made a model with more Ethernet ports. I've got one spot with a wired PC, Ethernet printer, My Cloud drive, and cable modem. But I guess the idea is with more than one of these things, you have ethernet ports sprinkled around the house.