Apple Officially Discontinues AirPort Wireless Router Lineup [Updated]

[palebluedot]

This says something about the future of Time Machine. While connecting a hard drive to a backup Mac directly will still work, Time Machine's convenience is that it works over the air. Whenever you're on your network, your Mac will back up.

There's been somewhat of a transition with iCloud Drive. Introducing versioning in macOS is another hint. Ultimately, users will be able to have their files backed up in iCloud with versions and deleted files accessible through a UI similar to what we know now as Time Machine.

I would hope the general public, given recent data breaches and legal issues, would be wary of turning over the keys to their entire digital life to a cloud provider like that. But then again, Google is top of the game so I think I am answering my own question.

 

[jpn]

A little, I guess. However, Eero is available and is up-to-date with the latest wifi mesh technology. Its design and ease of use are very much like Apple.

I have a Time Capsule I still use. It was my main wifi router. Now I have it connected to my network via ethernet while my Eero provides the wifi. And Time Machine still works.

this is interesting. so your Time Capsule is connected to the eero via ethernet cable? and it works well?
this could be the solution for most people if it does work well.
do you have any problems at all with this setup?

 

[MacsRgr8]

I just hope they keep the Airport Firmware and Airport Utility app up to date

They won't.
Just like Server.app, it will die and Apple wil recommend alternatives.

 

[sailmac]

So what do people recommend (that isn't Google WiFi)?

I'm with others who give thumbs up to Ubiquiti Unifi. I used three generations of Airport during a 15 year period and the simplicity was convenient until near the end when I found that I needed more control (and more performance) than Apple provided.

Currently I have USG, switches, AC Pro, and UCK. Very happy with the entire setup. The product line gets regular firmware/software updates that provide useful features -- nice how the company is actively dialoguing with users in their forums and broader community. Reasons behind changes, schedules, etc. are significantly more transparent than what we experience with Apple.

 

[phalseHUD]

If you’re looking for a router that offers great security, which let’s face it, is (should be) one of the main selling points, as well as pretty straight forward to setup, look no further than the Peplink Surf SOHO. I think it’s going for $199 on Amazon. Alternatively you can pick up an Edgerouter X plus WAP for slightly less I believe. Peplink is great though.

Check out www.routersecurity.org

 

[BC2009]

Apple is recommending mesh routers for larger homes. I have a large home and I currently have 3 x AirPort Extreme base stations (802.11ac) in my home that are connected to one another via wired gigabit ethernet backbone.

Is there anything I am missing out on that these mesh routers can do? It seems they are only handy for people who don't have their homes wired for gigabit ethernet. Any other advantages?

 

[DEMinSoCAL]

So much love for this...not from me! I've always had nothing but trouble with any that I have installed. Works for a while, then suddenly stops forwarding DHCP requests. Power cycle and it works again, for a while. Always kept updates current, seems like a bug Apple never got around to fixing. I stopped using them because I needed something more reliable (like Ubiquiti).

Good riddance!

 

[iapplelove]

I love my time capsule. I may but another of the price is right just to have for a backup.

 

[jonnysods]

That's a little sad. It was a nice simple router to use.

 

[AlxM]

This stinks. I really love these routers. This is the second thing Apple has discontinued that I really like, the first being Aperture.

 

[TheWatchfulOne]

this is interesting. so your Time Capsule is connected to the eero via ethernet cable? and it works well?
this could be the solution for most people if it does work well.
do you have any problems at all with this setup?

That is correct. I have not observed any problems with Time Machine with that setup.

 

[___joshuaturner]

This stinks. I really love these routers. This is the second thing Apple has discontinued that I really like, the first being Aperture.

Thunderbolt Displays are still missed.

 

[Kaibelf]

Sure the iPhone took Apple to the top - I agree with that.

But what made me and a lot of people to switch from Windows to Apple was that everything Apple was "Plug and Play". This does not apply to Apple anymore. So Apple should ONLY sell items that sell really really good and cut the rest? That's not a great experience for the hardcore Apple customers. Or new Apple customers.

While I agree in many respects, if we talk about THIS product, there's really nothing about it that materially makes it better than the competition. Any competing router is equally easy to set up, and even THAT is something 99.999% of users do once or twice in the lifetime of the device.

 

[Apple Corps]

About time Apple made this news official.

Even back in 2013, the AirPort Extreme didn't stand out from others in terms of routing performance.

Either be the best in the market or go home. Apple made the right decision.

I disagree strongly - poor decision - make them the best and continue the eco system. They have enough staff for working on emojis but not an integral portion of the network? Hmmmm - what is more important, emojis or network security / ease of use / and performance? BTW - the AEBS performance is outstanding - we have coverage w/o issues.

Tim Cook at his best (or worst).

 

[Boyd01]

If I buy one and connect my MBP and Mac Pro to it with ethernet cables will I see 1000Mbps data transfers between them?

This is what I get with my Airport Time Capsule and gigabit ethernet between two Mac Mini's using regular file sharing.

 

[wasobia]

This would have really bummed me out—however, the Linksys Velop system is so outstanding it completely eliminates the need for Apple to develop an in-house solution. When third party companies out-Apple Apple, there's no need for Apple to remain in the space.

So why did Apple come up with HomePod?

 

[Apple Corps]

It hasn’t been updated in 5 years. The router market is a lot more mature now than it was in 1999.

So what is your point - if it need upgrading (which I'm not sure it does - then upgrade it. If it is fine as is, then keep selling it in support of the ecosystem.

 

[cmwade77]

Disappointing but not surprising. While not the "best" anymore they are still the easiest to use if you have an Apple-heavy ecosystem.

Obviously you haven't setup Google Wifi, that is by far even easier and more reliable. There are others of course that are fairly simple, but they are dead simple. Now that doesn't give all of the control that the IT type people want over things, but for basic home setup it actually makes the most sense.

 

[dantracht]

Very sad day, but not unexpected. Most solid routers every built, IMHO. I immediately picked up a time capsule and an express to have as spares.

 

[Apple Corps]

Do people seriously believe AirPort “got [Apple] to the top”?

No, but the ecosystem has been an important issue for many people.

 

[-BigMac-]

It's a pity. They were very decent pieces of hardware.

yea like 8 years ago lol

 

[bernuli]

Don't get the 3TB. Get 2 of the 2TB models. That's what I would do anyway

 

[oldmacs]

Well done Apple. Keep killing off everything that used to make it you Apple.

They should axe the crap HomePod.

 

[cmwade77]

So why did Apple come up with HomePod?

Because they saw a bandwagon and decided to try to jump on it, albeit very poorly, which proves they should have just stayed out of it. Airport moved the entire wifi router industry forward to the point that it is at now, which is that a lot of routers are at least as simple as setting up Airport, if not even easier and are more secure than ever.

Apple knows there isn't much, if anything that they can improve on in the current WiFi router market and following the very poor sales of HomePod, they are playing it smart and getting out. I would suspect the same thing will ultimately happen with HomePod, they entered the market too late and came in with an inferior product to the offerings already available.

 

[Apple Corps]

Apple is recommending mesh routers for larger homes. I have a large home and I currently have 3 x AirPort Extreme base stations (802.11ac) in my home that are connected to one another via wired gigabit ethernet backbone.

Is there anything I am missing out on that these mesh routers can do? It seems they are only handy for people who don't have their homes wired for gigabit ethernet. Any other advantages?

Yes - you are missing out on spending $$$ on the latest marketing hype to make you unhappy / worried about your current configuration - mesh smesh - our two AEBS cover our 3,000 square foot home and yard with excellent speed.