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

Apple Begins to Sell Out of AirPort Base Stations [Updated]

Shoot. Was going to snag one as a back up to my aging Extreme which has always been rock solid (always chuckle at friends when they complain of having to constantly reboot their non-apple routers).

Don't really need the Time capsule version but may snag to tide me over until a forced choice is made (ie no security updates).

I'll miss the easy printing to a connected printer. My Laser printer isn't a wireless version to connect to the Velop system...who makes the best wireless printer with USB connection for printers? Anyone?
 
OneBagTravel said:
It's not like they were making a bad product. I'm just so surprised a company making this much money is opening up the market with watches and ditching backend products like routers. I clearly don't have the sales numbers and i'm sure there's a valid reason behind cutting the Airport series, but man-o-man, I feel it's one product that was rock solid and helped with introducing everyone to the Apple ecosystem.
Click to expand...

Apple "other" category, where AW, AirPods, Airport and other accessories are lumped into jumped 36 from Q1 2017 to Q1 2018. Apple doesn't detail specific sales, no, but easy to conclude that 36% jump wasn't because of Airport.

Airport was a great product, it just doesn't fit in with Apple's financial future which is mobile devices and services. That's why it's being dropped. There are more profitable areas for Apple to spend its money these days.
[doublepost=1526578724][/doublepost]
OneTraveler said:
Shoot. Was going to snag one as a back up to my aging Extreme which has always been rock solid (always chuckle at friends when they complain of having to constantly reboot their non-apple routers).
Click to expand...

I'm sure refurbs will continue to be available for some time. My AirPort Extreme is a refurb and been working fine for years.
 
  • Like
Reactions: OneTraveler
Serious question. I have an Airport Time Capsule that I don't use. Is there a market for one of these? If so, what is a reasonable asking price? I think it's a 1TB version
 
OneTraveler said:
I'll miss the easy printing to a connected printer. My Laser printer isn't a wireless version to connect to the Velop system...who makes the best wireless printer with USB connection for printers? Anyone?
Click to expand...
You can always use a Mac as the printer "sharing router".

It's so sad to see the AirPorts go. Really one of the best Apple products ever, I'd say. Our family uses a few AirPort Expresses and an Extreme, and I have 3 older AirPort Extremes (gen 1 "flying saucer") that I still use for older Macs that can't deal with the newer wifi standards. It's hard to think of other devices that have been in use for so many years that haven't broken by now.
 
This isn’t the end, just a pause.

Apple clearly has big plans for AirPower given how complex the AirPower Mat has proven to be — or more likely the complexity of nailing down its final specs.

When AirPower gets rolled out as a long distance air charging method, AirPower transmitters will be a natural place for wireless networking.
 
  • Like
Reactions: HansHeino
It’s a shame. As overpriced and getting old as they were... always had good experiences with them. Hopefully they keep working for a good while yet for everyone still using them.
 
if only they would of made a mesh apple router to replace these i have 2 extremes 1 being a 2 tb time capsule since 2014 which havent caused me any issues.

What about back to my mac support?
 
Who buys old tech? Especially a router? These must either really be something or just simply compatible because I would never...
 
Westside guy said:
I've been very happy with the Extreme I bought back in 2011-2012 or thereabouts. As long as it keeps functioning, I have no real reason to buy anything else - until there are significant upgrades to wifi itself, anyway.

I'm going to miss Airplay. I'm really not a fan of all-in-one solutions - like the old TV/VCR combos, or airplay-enabled expensive speakers, or "smart" televisions. When you lose one function, you then have an expensive path to remedying the problem. With a pair of nice speakers plugged into an Express, you only have to replace the part that actually breaks. (or with an Apple TV or Roku box - if it stops working you only have to replace an inexpensive box, not a $1000 television)
Click to expand...
Unfortunately that’s the point of the industry nowadays. Plunge your money down into X smart device and you’ll need to replace the whole package when the something is broken or not supported anymore.

Set top box is a great solution to smart tvs. But how about laptop? Even Apple glues all the things shut so you have to replace the whole assembly even if you only need to replace a single failing key on your keyboard
 
  • Like
Reactions: Val-kyrie and macintoshmac
urbanslaughter97 said:
Serious question. I have an Airport Time Capsule that I don't use. Is there a market for one of these? If so, what is a reasonable asking price? I think it's a 1TB version
Click to expand...
Put it on craigslist or eBay. It'll sell. My guess is that it's worth $75-$100. The 2TB version is $100-$125.
 
With mesh and MIMO options today, these routers are getting a little old in the tooth. I still have my Airport Time Capsule hardwired to a router for time machine backups.
 
I’ve been using three Eero Pros for the last year. It was a hit to the wallet up front but couldn’t be happier with the result. One for each level of my house and the network has been rock solid.
 
Gotta love these armchair CEOs. If these were profitable, Apple would still be making them. Period. But since the average home doesn't look to Apple as a router brand, they obviously don't sell enough to make the R&D worth it.

I'm upset about them being killed too, but it is what it is.
 
Gen said:
Orbi > Velop
Click to expand...

I also owned 3 Airport Extremes and agree. I also like Orbi better than Uniquity which worked OK for 7 months and then died. Orbi is MUCH more stable and reliable to all.
 
RealAppleFan said:
Apple gets rid of or doesn't update its best products these days.

Steve Jobs - You're truly missed. Other than Airpods, there is not a single innovative Apple product available these days.
Click to expand...
I like how you define "innovative" as "something I would use".

The Apple Watch is very innovative. So are many of the features built into iPhone and iPad. Even some of the software features in Apple TV. Just because you don't care about them doesn't mean they aren't innovative.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Gorms, souko and cmChimera
What's the now suggested way to stream audio wirelessly from iTunes (MacOS and iOS) to high end speakers?

Until now I've used an Airport Express connected to the cinch-input of the speakers (they are are active monitor speakers and provide cinch and USB digital input options), but every hardware can stop working any time.

(And as I don't have a TV, AppleTV is not a viable alternative, as it needs to be connected to a display)

Thanks!
 
  • Like
Reactions: Wombat-man
alexandero said:
What's the now suggested way to stream audio wirelessly from iTunes (MacOS and iOS) to high end speakers?

Until now I've used an Airport Express connected to the cinch-input of the speakers (they are are active monitor speakers and provide cinch and USB digital input options), but every hardware can stop working any time.

(And as I don't have a TV, AppleTV is not a viable alternative, as it needs to be connected to a display)

Thanks!
Click to expand...
Airplay. You may need an adapter or a new system though.
 
This is great news. Once they get rid of all the computer hardware in their warehouses, there will be plenty more space for more watch bands.

I hope this means WWDC will replace the keynote with a special watch band presentation.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Macneck
so there are glimmers of hope that the airport express will support airplay2 . Best Buy is selling refurbished ones for $60 and they still have some in stock. I picked up a couple, hoping that they will update the firmware to support airplay2. Not too bad to enable multiroom audio to existing speakers.
[doublepost=1526581405][/doublepost]
Macwick said:
This. So goddamn frustrating. APPLE - IN YOUR AIRPLAY 2 'ECOSYSTEM', HOW ARE WE SUPPOSED TO STREAM MUSIC TO EXISTING AMPLIFIERS?

<crickets>
Click to expand...
This gives us hope though http://www.idownloadblog.com/2018/0...ll-apparently-gain-airplay-2-speaker-support/

I bought 2 refurbished ones from Best Buy (still have some in stock)
UPDATE: http://www.idownloadblog.com/2018/0...airplay-2-target-on-the-latest-ios-11-4-beta/

CRAAAAP
 
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