Apple Airport Express MB321LL/A [NEWEST VERSION]
by Apple Computer
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Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of Apple Airport Express MB321LL/A [NEWEST VERSION]
Customer Review: Not like I had a choice...
Summary: 3 Stars
I bought this product because I needed to get a wireless connection to my G5 Tower (across the house) that did not come with an airport extreme card (isn't compatible with the standard Extreme card). I would need to buy the Airport Extreme/ Bluetooth card for $140 and the "run away (runway?)" card for $40. Not going to happen.
I was sold on the Airport Express because it had an ethernet port, so I figured it would pick up the wireless signal from my Linksys WRT56G router and wire the Express to the G5. Also, the fact that I could print from it was cool because I have a Powerbook as well, being able to print from the laptop was a nice bonus. I also have a PC that was getting a weak signal from the Linksys router, so I figured this might help as it works as a repeater as well. All this for $100? not bad...
Here is where I ran into problems. I had a REALLY hard time getting the Express to work via ethernet with the G5. The guy at the Apple store said this would work. After a LOT of configuring, doing a lot of research, I was able to get it to work. Later on I was on the phone with Apple Care and I asked them if it should have been this hard to get working. They said that it should not work as the ethernet port is ONLY to connect to the Cable Modem, it is only supposed to receive the signal, not output it.
Somehow I was able to get it to do that. No problems since.
Then, for some reason I figured it would be a good idea to upgrade the firmware. BAD IDEA. It would connect to the internet for about 20 minutes, maybe less. Then it would lose connection to all the computers. I couldn't even change the settings with my powerbook, it would NOT recognize anything. I did the factory reset by pressing that small button with a pin. I would go through the whole set up again, and the cycle would continue. I had to go back to the first version of the firmware to get it working again.
Since I was using the Express with a Linksys router, the Apple Care people said they really couldn't help me trouble shoot because I wasn't using an Apple Base Station (I would if they were reasonably priced).
The documentation and instructions are very incomplete. There is nothing to help you trouble shoot the Express, and there is nothing to explain the different Wireless options available.. I could go on and on.. Since Linksys doesn't make OSX friendly drivers, and because I don't want to spend almost $200 on a wireless card for my G5, I'm stuck with the Express.
The Express would NOT work when I set it to act as a repeater using WDS, again, no info on how to configure. I set it to "Join an existing Network"
and with addition tweaking, it is sending the signal to my G5 via the ethernet port. But is it also sending the signal wirelessly as well? Why isn't my PC picking up its signal? (network security isnt the prob, that is fine).
I would say I am a "techie" person, I am always able to get computer related things set up and working, I built my own PC, so I should be able to trouble shoot this thing with little effort.
I'm a big fan of Apple, but the fact they make expensive networking products that only work if you use them only with other Apple products is a joke.
Final word is: This is ONLY a good product if you are using it as a portable router or have an Airport Base Station and your computers already have everything they need to receive a wireless signal.
Customer Review: Great for Airtunes, even better as a wireless-N access point!
Summary: 4 Stars
Most of us have a number of different AV components in their entertainment center, and getting content from the computer to their AV receiver is a challenge. This little device turned out to be the missing link for me.
Just a little background--I use iTunes for almost all of my audio and video content. Between my TiVo HD and Xbox 360, I can easily stream video to my TV, but music content has been a hassle. First, neither work with iTunes. Second, neither can play protected AAC content. Third, you have to have your TV on to pick your music or select a playlist. Its a big hassle.
I remember reading about this device back in 2004, when it was just wireless-G, and considered buying it back then but held off because I would still need to be at my computer to select music/playlists, and there was no (at that time) remote control for the Airport Express. But now with the advant of iPhone/iPod touch (and the Apple app "Remote" which allows you to use your device to select and play music off iTunes on any computer in your house), I finally saw a solution to my troubles.
UNBOXING:
The Airport Express (AE) came neatly packaged in a very small box that's typical for Apple. As expected, it did not have any cables. I fortunately bought a 3.5mm-RCA cable and had a spare ethernet cable lying around.
SETUP:
I decided from the start that I would use the AE with combination with my existing wireless network, but not as an extender, but as a separate wireless-N based access point that could eventually be used a dedicated access point for future N-based devices. I was planning to convert my existing PCs to wireless-N which would connect to this AP with the highest throughput. Since I have existing G-based devices (two TiVos and an Xbox 360), they could continue to use my old G-based wireless AP without interfering with the N.
It appears the AE is quite versatile, although I haven't tried the other possible configurations. It can act as an access point, it can extend an existing wireless network, or it can connect to your wireless network and just act as a node for a print server/Airtunes.
After sticking the installation CD in my computer, the Airport Utility stepped me through the setup. It was able to see my AE without any problem. The wording of some of the options and questions were a bit confusing, but in less than 5 minutes, I had the AE setup as an N-based access point in "bridge mode" so any N-based devices could still use my existing Netgear router for DHCP. After completing the setup, I was easily able to go back and modify some of the settings manually to fit my needs.
AIRTUNES:
This is the sweetest part of the deal, and the whole reason I dropped $100 on this little device. I opened iTunes and it immediately recognized that there was an Airtunes device on the network and allowed me to select it as my preferred speaker (a drop down menu appeared in the lower-left hand corner of iTunes). I picked up my iPod touch, tapped on "Remote", and was picking songs from all over my house. It worked exactly as I expected.
CONCLUSION:
A bit pricey solution for getting music on your AV system without wires or need for an "iPod dock" (or a complete upgrade of your receiver). Hidden gift was the fact that it also acts as a wireless-N access point for future wireless expansion at much higher throughputs (without having to buy a new router).
Customer Review: PC User = Very Satisfied
Summary: 5 Stars
I have a unique set up and was very skeptical when I purchased the Airport Express. Being primarly iTunes in nature and having a large library, plus the addition of a new surround system really pushed me over the edge to give this unit a try.
I am a PC user and software developer (making my living aligned with the evil empire with ASP.NET and c#). I have thoroughly researched all reviews on this item. I have delved into Apple products in the past and been very satisfied (iPhone 3G being the most recent). So without further banter, here are my findings:
- My set up is FIOS (Fiber Optic) 30 Meg down/5 Meg up. My primary data access point (router) is a Linksys N router. I bought this unit late in 2007 and just recently did a firmware upgrade.
- I have four PC computers that run Windows XP SP2. There are no Macs in my house but when my little ones need one for school, that is the first computer I am going to buy them.
Here is the installation I performed:
1) Hooked the Airport Express into my Linksys router via ethernet port as suggested in instructions. Did not plug Airport Express in.
2) Installed Airport Express software on my most used laptop.
3) Plugged Airport Express in and opened the Airport Express software. The software tried to locate the Express and could not find it after dozens of tries. I then (Mac users, you can laugh now) decided to REBOOT my laptop considering most software installs require one on PC's. After reboot I re-opened the Airport Express software. It was located successfully.
4) Ran through the Airport Express wizard where I wanted to add to an existing network. All steps are very straight forward. When I got to the encryption key to enter for my secured wireless network, things began to break down. My network was set to WEP 128 bit encryption and the Airport could only handle WEP with a 13 character key. I then logged into my Linksys router settings and decided to use WPA2 Personal and reset the key (Express can handle three types of security). I re-ran the wizard, entered the key and viola, my laptop connected to my Airport Express.
5) With my home receiver unit set up with the splitter wire I purchased at the Apple store, I opened iTunes. There was a new control at the bottom of the app which says: "My Computer" or "The name of your Airport Express you entered during the Wizard". I pointed my iTunes toward the Airport Express and held my breath (after turning up the volume very loudly on my new system). Within seconds, my music was effortlessly streaming wirelessly to my home stereo as advertised.
I have had zero drops with my PC, Linksys and Apple set up. I have played the music for at least 6 hours so far. I am very pleased with the purchase. Outside of a a Windows reboot and resetting of wireless security on my main data access point (Linksys) set up was very easy.
I have another Airport Express unwrapped waiting to see if all of my peripherals will allow for a wireless print server on my Dell all-in-one. I'm not holding my breadth here as my Dell is very restrictive. But if the Express holds serve here, I may buy a Mac computer that day.
Customer Review: Aggravating Setup for FIOS Users, But Great After That
Summary: 4 Stars
I extensively read about all options to get music on my home server to my kitchen and decided upon the Airport Express. I have been on a bit of an anti-Apple kick lately (even though I have an iPhone and use iTunes) after I found I had to move all my pictures out of iPhoto in order to share them with other Microsoft computers and Sony PS3 and Apple made it extremely difficult to do so. Also Apple said iMovie works with AVCHD, but it didn't and they told me as much when I called. Why is it that it is so easy to access Microsoft systems using Apple software, but so hard for Microsoft systems to access Apple? Bad Apple! But there was just no beating the cost and ease of use of the Airport Express, especially if you have an iPhone to control iTunes and want great quality home audio system sound. So I bought the AirPort Express...
But then there was the setup, argh, which is supposed to be (and sometimes is) easy with Apple, but often isn't. I was very, very skeptical about simply plugging in a wireless device which had no user interface for wireless network connection setup and have it recognized by software on another computer on the network before it was connected, and my skepticism was correct. After you plug in the Airport and load up the AirPort Utility software on another computer on the network, it is apparently supposed to find it and let you set up its wireless connection. But it didn't and the Airport utility couldn't find any devices to manage on my network. After a lot of digging and wasted time, it seems that in my case the problem seemed to be because I was using a Verizon FiOS network with their supplied wireless router which used WEP security by default. Apple says it supports WEP, but apparently not for the joining of existing networks (bad Apple!) and it makes no mention of fixing problems connecting Airport to FiOS networks on its website anywhere even though there were several posts elsewhere.
So here's what I did: I used the Verizon In Home Agent software to update the security to WPA-PSK (e.g. Personal. I read somewhere WPA2 didn't work). Of course, Verizon doesn't give you the log-in password to your router, so I had to dig it out of the closet and press the Reset button to create a new password. After I did that, the AirPort Utility program on my Windows 7 computer STILL could not find it, though. So then I grabbed an ethernet cable and hardwired the AirPort directly to the router. THEN the AirPort Utility program finally found it and I manually set up the wireless internet connection with password using the wired connection. Then I unconnected it and it worked fine wirelessly after I had set it up.
I wouldn't have been bothered if Apple had simply had said that you need to use WPA and hard wire it to set up the wireless connection, but they didn't and I wasted hours figuring out the problem. This is not acceptable, Apple, but it works so great after that that I will forgive you yet again and probably buy an iPad, too...
Customer Review: Powerful, Does What It Says It Will
Summary: 5 Stars
I am responsible for two of these devices. I have one at home hooked up to the speakers over my shower, and I have one at work which is used by people on my team within a larger company. So I have two use cases, both of which the Airport Express excels at.
Case 1: Music Distribution and Home Internet
The device has both stereo and optical audio out capabilities. This allows me to stream music and podcasts from the upstairs AppleTV to my downstairs bathroom using my iPhone as a control. At this, it has been extremely reliable for the last 6 months, although it sometimes takes several seconds for the iPhone Remote app to find the AppleTV. You do need either powered speakers or an amplifier. It is also convenient having an "N" router when I need to transfer large video files to or from my MacBook to the various servers in the house. (Yes, I have a lot of Apple stuff.) At this, it is quite good, although the LinkSys router FIOS requires me to use will not reliably provide Internet access to the Airport. I don't believe this is the fault of the Airport, as I've seen the same problem with other switches. And, recent Apple firmware updates have improved interoperability.
I can also stream audio content directly from my Mac (or PC) and this has been useful for me when I want to listen to a podcast while showering.
Case 2: Small business workgroup
At my company, we have 100 people on site but only 3 people in my immediate team. In the past, wireless access was managed by the company's IT department. It was not a high priority and was highly unreliable. We've moved to a model where my 3 person team manages our own wireless connection: the Airport Express, and limits access to it via password. (I believe the device only supports 10 concurrent connections), and this has been extremely reliable. I have not had to restart the device in nearly a year of use, except for periodic firmware updates.
The message I want to spread is of reliability. I have had many wireless hubs in my life and the cheaper ones fail quickly, and I have sworn off the idea that a decent hub or switch can be bought for less than an Airport Express. You might think you are saving money, but in the long term you will not. And this reliability has come from Apple over generations of improvement, the original Airport was not reliable if for no other reason than it had a substandard power capacitor, and the 2nd generation flying saucer hubs were not much better in my experience. But I have nothing but praise for Apple current generation of wireless devices including the Airport Extreme which acts as a file server and ethernet switch in my TV devices cabinet.