AirPort Extreme Wireless Router (picked one up today)

hey everyone,

Just wanted to let you know I went down to the Apple store and picked up the AirPort Extreme Router, and I have to say, I couldn't be happier.

Of course, I did pay more than I really should (172.01 total with my Student discount), as there are other N based routers available for less, but honestly I have to say I am glad that I didn't now.

I literally had everyone in my apt. up and running on the new network within less than 5 minutes, setting up the network on my PC. Setting up the network using Apples included utility software literally only took about 2-3 min, with an external HDD attached as well.

Literally just put in the CD, install in less than a minute open the AirPort Utility program and enter the info, and that is it, just set it up with a WPA2 password gave it to everyone else that is using the network, it set up was done.

Now honestly, I didn't necessarily need it to be this easy, as I have set up networks before with not much trouble, but **** this was so easy and fast.

No computers on my network currently use an N based wireless card, so I can't comment on 802.11n, but compared to the old DSL Modem/Router setup we had before, it is fantastic.

I have literally just got it setup and everything so I will have to use it more before I can comment on reliability etc. but it looks completely bulletproof.

The reason I got this router instead of a much cheaper G based router is because I do plan on getting a new system/systems in the future and I needed a router right now, and Apple convinced me to pay a little more. I am thinking about going for an iMac or a Mac Pro when I can afford it.

I honestly don't have plans at all to just switch to Mac exclusively, but I would like to use both setups.

I will have to do a full review in a week or so when I have used it more, just wanted to let some people know if they were thinking about getting it.

I say if you can afford it and really appreciate ease of setup, go for it.

 

I'm anxious to see a review of it. A friend of mine is a mac fanatic and swears by her airport extreme at her house.

 

Sounds great, circa86! Glad you liked it.

Apple and Macs have been known for their simple yet powerful designs .

I can't wait to read your review on it! It'll be interesting to hear more about it other than just Apple's advertisements.

 

if I am not busy I will make a stop motion animated film about how well it works

oh ****, now I probably will do that, thanks a lot, thanks a lot for making me do things I don't intend to . . .

hmm . . .

 

The only gripe I have about it is that it does not have gigabit ethernet support like the netgear/linksys. This is ironic because Macbook/pros all come with gigabit cards...

 

It really doesn't have gigabit? That's a little backwards... especially considering it has N...

Eh, anyways, I'm in your shoes circa. I'm trying to spend time in all three of the major consumer OSs. As far as I can tell, they've all got their plusses and minuses. It's kinda funny that you bought an Airport without owning any Macs.

 

yeah I don't own any Macs, yet but I use a Mac basically everyday in my studio and all my roomates use Macs right now.

 

I think one cool thing about the Airport is it's foot print is the same as the Mac Mini. So if you owned one it could be stacked and not look odd.. i mean aside from it being white. =P I have a quick review coming soon of a Belkin usb/firewire hub that would look perfect with this also. Now if only they offered them in aluminum too.

 

So, the other users in your apt. did not have to install Apples software, correct? I ask because I currently use 2 work provided pc laptops on my standard g-router. But since I just bought a MBP to go with mmy desktop, I thought the airport extreme bas station would be perfect to make my printer and hard drive be wireless. My only concern was that I would have to load software on to my laptops. If I don't have to load software and just give password info, then this would work perfect. Please let me know if that is the case. Thanks!

 

to use a HDD or printer you will need to install the software, but it is really simple easy to use software.

 

No need for the HDD or printer on the two pc laptops, just need to be able to access the internet. If I can do that without loading software, then great!

Sorry, fogot to mention that since they are work pc laptops I cannot add software (they are locked). Since I can't load software, I wanted to make sure I can use the airport extreme on those two machines just by using security passwords and that's it (just like I do currently for the linksys).