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ukimalefu wrote:

Airport Express Update Spotted at Online Apple Store

The updated router looks identical to the older Airport Express, however, the specification for the refreshed model lists 802.11n wireless network support.

If this turns out to be true, I will be the first to buy.

Has anybody noticed that both the American and Canadian Airport Expresses are $99?

So that is what was about to happen to the Airport Express...Good, glad they didn't abandon it.

Apple rarely abandons ideas like that though they don't always follow what others might consider logical progressions.

In order to run a full "n" speed network all of your devices have to have an "n" card which I know your mini does not and this will cause a slowdown because EVERYTHING on your network has to be up to "n" speeds. For example, my PowerBook and my wife's IBM Thinkpad run at "b/g" speeds. My 12" PowerBook is connected via ethernet to my Airport Extreme Base Station (the new "n" version). Verizon FiOS gives you a free "g" wireless router. I have my Airport Extreme Base Station Connected to one of the Verizon routers ethernet ports under a different network name so it can run purely "n".  My wife's Thinkpad is then connected to another port on the Verizon router and is also named a different network and that runs under pure "b/g" speeds. My MacBook Pro connects to my Airport Extreme Base Station only keeping a pure "n" signal. My wife's Thinkpad is connects only to the Verizon router which is named under an entirely "g" network so it wont slow down my pure "n". Since my PowerBook is connected via ethernet it will not effect the speed of the "n" network. You can test this by opening up Network Utility on your "n" enabled device and selecting the 2nd drop down menu (en2?). If it says 300 then you are running at "n" speeds. If not,then something that is running a/b/g is on the same network slowing you down.

That's why I got rid of my old APE because using it would have sacrificed my "n" speed in terms of file transfers. Now I can use my new AEBS as a WDS under the newly released AE and still run at full "n" speeds while still being able to use Airtunes. Something I've been waiting to do for a long, LONG time!

Last edited by wellfleation (2008-03-17 3:22 pm)

well. damn.

wellfleation wrote:

I have my Airport Extreme Base Station Connected to one of the Verizon routers ethernet ports under a different network name so it can run purely "n".  My wife's Thinkpad is then connected to another port on the Verizon router and is also named a different network and that runs under pure "b/g" speeds. My MacBook Pro connects to my Airport Extreme Base Station only keeping a pure "n" signal. My wife's Thinkpad is connects only to the Verizon router which is named under an entirely "g" network so it wont slow down my pure "n".

oh. wait. that may work. i think.

currently, my setup runs like this...

cable modem (Charter) --> Netgear wireless router --> iPhone (2), MBP, Wii, Mini, AppleTV.

could i just plug the APE into a port on the Netgear router and have it run like this?

cable modem --> Netgear wireless router --> Wii, Mini, iPhone (2)
                                                            --> APE --> MBP, AppleTV

if that's possible, what would some of the downfalls be?

i see where mine will NOT work for me.

it mainly falls apart in the connection between the AppleTV and the Mini. damn again.

time to start nudging the wife for a new desktop...

LukeLucas wrote:

wellfleation wrote:

I have my Airport Extreme Base Station Connected to one of the Verizon routers ethernet ports under a different network name so it can run purely "n".  My wife's Thinkpad is then connected to another port on the Verizon router and is also named a different network and that runs under pure "b/g" speeds. My MacBook Pro connects to my Airport Extreme Base Station only keeping a pure "n" signal. My wife's Thinkpad is connects only to the Verizon router which is named under an entirely "g" network so it wont slow down my pure "n".

oh. wait. that may work. i think.

currently, my setup runs like this...

cable modem (Charter) --> Netgear wireless router --> iPhone (2), MBP, Wii, Mini, AppleTV.

could i just plug the APE into a port on the Netgear router and have it run like this?

cable modem --> Netgear wireless router --> Wii, Mini, iPhone (2)
                                                            --> APE --> MBP, AppleTV

if that's possible, what would some of the downfalls be?

Yes, if your Netgear has multiple ethernet ports. All you have to do is plug your AE into an ethernet port on your Netgear and create two networks for each one. Say, name the Netgear's "g" network "Netty" and have all your non-"n" enabled devices connect to this network. Then create another totally different network for your AE and call it "extreme" or something and connect all your "n" enabled devices to that. Then to make sure all is well check your link speed with one of the Macs that are connected to the "n" network with Network Utility. Choose the 2nd drop down menu in Network Utility. It will read 300 if you're running under "n" speeds. If it doesn't then you are not.

wellfleation wrote:

name the Netgear's "g" network "Netty"

Better yet "George", then you can hug him and squeeze him and love him and pet him.

From my experience the function is pretty close in most routers but the setup to get it working varies from company to company. I've yet to figure out Belkin's Firewall controls or set my Netgear to where 2 computers can communicate on the same network but the manuals for both indicated they both have both functions.

1) is one router really better than another? am i better off getting a cheapy little linksys wireless router rather than an APE or AE Basestation? or is there an actual difference in quality going on here?
If all you need is a WiFi router then get the Linksys. There are advantages with the AirPorts:
a) good integration with Macs.
b) wireless printer server.
c) AirTunes (AirPort Express only).
d) AirPort Disk (AirPort Extreme Base Station only).
but strictly speaking they aren't necessary if all you need is WiFi.

2) APE or AE BaseStation?
Would you rather have AirTunes or AirPort Disk? Is the size of the router important (because you will be using it while travelling, for example)?