With the release of Apple's AirPort Express base station, a lot of people are cratching their heads trying to figure out which is the product they need. I know I've gotten no less than 20 e-mails from friends asking just that. MacMinute fired off a few questions to Apple spokesperson Nathalie Welch on the topic.
MacMinute: As far as determining needs, what criteria should a user consider when determining whether to buy an AirPort Extreme Base Station or an AirPort Express.
Welch: If you travel for business or fun, or are interested in streaming music then AirPort Express is the one to choose. AirPort Extreme is ideal for stationary uses and perfect for small business and educational institutions.
1. Here are some detailed differences between the Express and Extreme, based on the grid on Apple's website at http://www.apple.com/ca/airportexpress/specs.html .
- Extreme: Supports up to 50 simultaneous users
- Express: Supports only 10 simultaneous users
- Consequence: the Express supports 40 fewer users
- Extreme: Has a LAN port in addition to the WAN port
- Express: Lacks a LAN port
- Consequence: you can't plug a standard ethernet device into the Express
- Extreme: Is available with an external antenna port
- Express: Lacks an external antenna port
- Consequence: the Express can't have its range extended as far as the Extreme (with external antenna) can
- Extreme: Is available with a 56k modem
- Express: Has no modem option
- Consequence: The Express can only connect via an existing wired or wireless network, and can't connect via dial-up.
- Extreme: Is available with Power Over Ethernet
- Express: No PoE support available
- Consequence: if you need PoE for some reason, you won't be able to do so with the Express
- Express: has built-in audio output
- Extreme: has no audio output at all
- Consequence: you can use the Express as a way of streaming music to a remote audio device
- Express: costs $179 CDN
- Extreme: base model costs $299 CDN
- Consequence: the Express is $120 cheaper
- Express: is easily portable
- Extreme: isn't terribly portable (ie: won't fit in most laptop bags)
- Consequence: you can take the Express with you
And finally...
- Extreme: I already have one.
- Express: I already want one.
- Consequence: I'm going to be $179 CDN poorer when it's available :).
Personally, I'm looking forward to the Express as a way to help extend the range of my existing AirPort Express network, to connect to my home theatre system for music playback, and as an addition to my PowerBook backpack for when I'm travelling.
Posted at 5:28AM on Dec 19th 2005 by Brad BARCLAY