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Confused about Airport Express

D

derek1984

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
I'll be buying my first Mac in a couple days and I am just a little confused as to what exactly is Airport Express and if it would be worth buying. I've been to the Apple website, but I am still left confused. Right now my setup in my house is as follows: Motorola Cable Modem; Belkin 54G router; that are hooked into a Dell Desktop. I will have my MBP set-up in a separate room in my house. Can I still use Airport Express with that set-up? Or do I need to buy something else from Apple to make Airport Express work? Thanks
 
derek1984 said:
I'll be buying my first Mac in a couple days and I am just a little confused as to what exactly is Airport Express and if it would be worth buying. I've been to the Apple website, but I am still left confused. Right now my setup in my house is as follows: Motorola Cable Modem; Belkin 54G router; that are hooked into a Dell Desktop. I will have my MBP set-up in a separate room in my house. Can I still use Airport Express with that set-up? Or do I need to buy something else from Apple to make Airport Express work? Thanks
Click to expand...

The AE has a few functions:
- Serve as a wireless access point
- Extend an existing wireless network (though I've never gotten mine to do this)
- Hook up to your existing iTunes via wireless and play through remote speakers / stereo
- Wirelessly share a USB printer

With your existing Belkin 54G it seems like you have the first function above covered. So unless you are in need of one of the other functions you may not need one.

I believe that mostly covers things but I'm sure someone else can add...
 
You may get help from the online video tutorials on Apple's site, if you haven't seen them already:

http://www.apple.com/findouthow/mac/

You should be able to connect your AirPort Express to your router via Ethernet cable, then set up a WiFi network, so you can connect wirelessly to the internet. You can also connect your AirPort Express to your stereo, to wirelessly stream iTunes music to your speakers. You can also connect to a USB printer and share it on your network.
 
Thanks for the replies...One more question now; If I want to replace my Belkin 54g router, I can just connect Airport Express to my Motorola Modem? Since Airport Express is wireless N, could that still work on my Dell Desktop that is most likely only good for wireless G? Thanks
 
Yes they can both run on the airport express.

Apple airport routers (such as airport express) are very stable.
 
I recommend that if your going to replace the Belkin go with the Airport Extreme. I got mine before I got my MBP and its been great! Very stable, and Im running my old desk top PC off of one of the 3 ethernet ports my X-Box 360 off the other and the other is unused right now. The 802.11n is fast. I think its the fastest Ive used ever. I will occasionally will run a speed test wirelessly and its always consistant. I keep my wireless network hidden, so other people around me cant use it unless they know its there.

I hope you like your purchase, and I know you will love your MBP. :apple:
 
Just to clarify: Since I have a Motorola Modem, I need only Airport Express and NOT Airport Extreme, correct?
 
derek1984 said:
Just to clarify: Since I have a Motorola Modem, I need only Airport Express and NOT Airport Extreme, correct?
Click to expand...
Both Airports require that you have a modem.

If you have a second, check out this page:
http://www.apple.com/wifi/

It'll explain the differences between the Express and the Extreme.

I think MarkSTi04 picked the Extreme because he has an old PC and an XBOX that aren't wireless. The Extreme has four LAN ports that allow you to connect non-wireless devices to the network. The Express doesn't have that ability.
 
derek1984 said:
Just to clarify: Since I have a Motorola Modem, I need only Airport Express and NOT Airport Extreme, correct?
Click to expand...

You can use either the AirPort Express or AirPort Extreme for wireless internet access. AirPort Express also allows you to share a printer and stream iTunes music, where AirPort Extreme cannot stream music, but can share printers and hard drives.
 
So if I buy Airport Express, I will just get rid of my current Belkin 54G router and connect my Motorola Modem (which is connected to my Dell Desktop) to Airport Express? In other words, Airport Express will take the place of my Belkin Router? Sorry to keep asking questions, I just want to make sure I know what I am getting! Thanks guys
 
derek1984 said:
Thanks. My Belkin 54G is not always the most reliable router. If my Dell Desktop (supports wireless G) and my new MBP can both run on this, I am going to purchase it.
Click to expand...

The airport express, along with Apple's other wireless routers, have backward compatibility with wireless g so your dell will work.
 
There are some advantages to using an Extreme:

  • there's only one ethernet port on the Express, which will be used up connecting to your cable modem, so your network will always have to be wireless. If in the future you want to add network storage, it would be better to be wired.
  • You can't connect a hard drive (at least officially supported - not sure if people have workarounds for that) to the USB port on the Express.
  • The port on the Express is 100Mb/s while the Extreme is gigabit, which could slow throughput (although that wouldn't be a problem in a wireless only network.)
On the other hand, the Express is half the price and provides the same wireless performance as the Extreme. I would look on it as a good short term solution, with the view of getting an Extreme in the future. You would always find a use for the Express if you upgraded to an Extreme.

One more thing you should think about - since your Dell supports only wireless G, you'll need to set up a mixed G/N network, which will slow things down, although the N connection will still be much faster than G. I would consider keeping the Belkin router and using the Extreme as N-only bridge to it.
 
plinden said:
There are some advantages to using an Extreme:

  • there's only one ethernet port on the Express, which will be used up connecting to your cable modem, so your network will always have to be wireless. If in the future you want to add network storage, it would be better to be wired.
  • You can't connect a hard drive (at least officially supported - not sure if people have workarounds for that) to the USB port on the Express.
  • The port on the Express is 100Mb/s while the Extreme is gigabit, which could slow throughput (although that wouldn't be a problem in a wireless only network.)
On the other hand, the Express is half the price and provides the same wireless performance as the Extreme. I would look on it as a good short term solution, with the view of getting an Extreme in the future. You would always find a use for the Express if you upgraded to an Extreme.

One more thing you should think about - since your Dell supports only wireless G, you'll need to set up a mixed G/N network, which will slow things down, although the N connection will still be much faster than G. I would consider keeping the Belkin router and using the Extreme as N-only bridge to it.
Click to expand...



How would I set up a mixed G/N network? If I purchase Airport Express, can I just toss out my Belkin 54G router or will I need it?
 
geoffreak said:
You can set most all routers to operate in a "mixed" mode which allows for both G and N devices.
Click to expand...
There is no such option for the AirPort Express, using AirPort Utility:
Picture 4.jpg​
derek1984 said:
Is that a software fix or should there be a button on the router?
Click to expand...
The only button on the AirPort Express is the reset button.
 
Caught this thread and wanted to throw a question at you folks.

I have an Airport Express and have tried hooking it up for wireless internet at home. I attached the ethernet cable from my modem and plugged it in. I never get a connection though. The light on the express always blinks yellow. I followed instructions from Apple and tried to reset and all the other suggestions I could find. But I never get past the blinking yellow.

Any ideas or suggestions? Thanks.
 
dirtleg said:
Caught this thread and wanted to throw a question at you folks.

I have an Airport Express and have tried hooking it up for wireless internet at home. I attached the ethernet cable from my modem and plugged it in. I never get a connection though. The light on the express always blinks yellow. I followed instructions from Apple and tried to reset and all the other suggestions I could find. But I never get past the blinking yellow.

Any ideas or suggestions? Thanks.
Click to expand...

If you have AppleCare or your Mac is less than 90 days old, you can call them and they can walk you step-by-step through the set-up process.
 
dirtleg said:
I have an Airport Express and have tried hooking it up for wireless internet at home. I attached the ethernet cable from my modem and plugged it in. I never get a connection though. The light on the express always blinks yellow. I followed instructions from Apple and tried to reset and all the other suggestions I could find. But I never get past the blinking yellow.
Click to expand...
If you have a cable modem, you might try rebooting the cable modem, letting it come back up, then rebooting the Express. Some cable modems require a reset when you switch the device that they plug into (i.e. switching routers).
 
So let me try to get this straight: Motorola Cable Modem gets connected to Airport Express. Dell Desktop that only supports wireless G still works fine, my new MBP now runs on wireless N.......?
 
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