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Apple Announces New Airport Base Station and Time Capsule with Faster 802.11ac Wi-Fi
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Do you have any devices that support 102.11ac ??
If so then yes, without a doubt!
If no then I'd say leave well enough alone if you're happy with the way your wifi currently operates.
The time to reevaluate is once you get you're 1st 802.11ac device...
The simple answers there are:
There are different DSL protocols, not every provider uses the same ones. That would add complexity and variation.
Not everyone uses DSL. Many use Cable, or FiOS, or other technologies that just give them a Ethernet port to plug in to. Again, adding complexity and variation.
To cover the US alone, if they were to go that route, they'd need to offer at least five different base stations (they'd still have to offer at least one "basic" model, because nobody would want to pay the extra $40+ to add the modem.)
Back when the original "UFO" AirPort base station came out, it made sense to include a dial-up modem. A majority of people were still on dial-up, and dial-up modems were cheap ($10 or less at Apple's bulk cost.) But for a company that makes very few individual models, having DSL/Cable/FiOS modems built in just doesn't make sense. Even Linksys stopped doing that a few years ago.
No USB3? What the ***?
these never worked well as a NAS anyways. TimeCapsule wouldn't backup the data on the usb connected drives.
and unless you are using the wired network isn't 802.11ac about the same speed as usb2?
That big stupid box, and they can still only give us 3 Ethernet ports. I'd love to buy this AND get rid of the additional switch I have linked up to my additional Airport.
No USB3? What the ***?
If they did THAT then they'd have to explain why they didn't include TB and have to fend off all of the ' Even Apple thinks TB is a dead end. " comments.
Not super useful until one can utilize the ac standard in devices, but cool nonetheless. As for those complaining about the form factor, although I was initially surprised and put off by it as well, I then quickly realized it was done for functional reasons (i.e. the antennas) and I don't believe there is any other real way around that. Weird though to see function overrule form for once when it comes to Apple! And even then, the thing doesn't look *that* bad...
And even then, the thing doesn't look *that* bad...
Not super useful until one can utilize the ac standard in devices, but cool nonetheless. As for those complaining about the form factor, although I was initially surprised and put off by it as well, I then quickly realized it was done for functional reasons (i.e. the antennas) and I don't believe there is any other real way around that. Weird though to see function overrule form for once when it comes to Apple!
Yep!
If certainly _seems_ like function CAN trump form over at Apple.... Then we get our first glimpse at the new Mac Pro and my speculation is more than a bit unfounded.
I assume right after the design of the Mac Pro was done, they be like "So we need a new airport extreme?" *copy & paste* There.
Well, TB does not make much sense speed-wise on a NAS, but the ac would really benefit from a USB3 connection...
If you mean Airport Express with a USB2 drive functioning as a makeshift Time Capsule, it certainly does work. It's by no means an official solution but works and was about £100 cheaper.
If you want to get yourself a Time Capsule for backing up your system and providing WiFi it pretty sure isn't useless! Especially not when completely redesigned.
I'm getting one just to upgrade to 802.11n. My current router is seriously old. I been waiting for a few months for this one to come out. When I get ac compatible devices, I'll be ready. It should last me for quite sometime.
So this is like 10 Airport Expresses stacked on top of each other?
Speaking of the Express anyone want to guess why they didn't update it too?
No more AirPort Express which means you have to pay twice the price for the cheapest base station.
