I strongly recommend upgrading to the new version if you go with the new AirPort. Once I connected to it via the utility, a newer version of the AirPort utility was detected, so I upgraded. I was able to connect to the Base Station right away-it comes pre-configured with an SSID already set up. I went into the AirPort utility on the MacBook. The tiny LED on the front of the AirPort glows amber when the device is first powered up. The Ethernet connection is actually optional, because I set the router up completely wirelessly using the new 13-inch MacBook Air. The guide first instructs how to connect cables properly: first the Internet connection to the WAN port, a USB printer or hard drive to the USB port, an Ethernet cable to any device's Ethernet port, and then the power. It's an upright-operating router that would fit into any home networking setup or entertainment center just fine. I lament the fact that Apple chose to go with USB 2.0 instead of USB 3.0, but other than that, as another analyst in the lab observed, it's not a device you would mind having on your desk. It's an elegant networking device with good hardware inside. This router is clearly in line with Apple's emphasis on design. The AirPort Extreme Base Station is a simultaneous dual-band router supporting both the 2.4GHz band (which can be reserved for devices you only use for lighter tasks such as Web-browsing or checking Facebook) and the 5GHz band (which is more robust and can be used for more bandwidth-intensive tasks such as video streaming). The router uses Broadcom's latest 802.11ac SoC chipset. The antennas make use of beamforming technology, which helps direct a wireless signal to a wireless client. Inside, is a triple-stream, six antenna array. I ran the router for hours during testing and the AirPort never warmed up a bit. There is just enough space for air to circulate via the eight vents at the bottom. Now you may think it odd to have the fan at the bottom of a router, but actually, the router does not sit flush to a surface. The only other LED is a teeny-tiny one on the front which provides overall device status (amber color indicates the device is not connected or setup, or some other issue is going on, and green indicates online and all is good).Īt the bottom of the router is the device's fan and cooling system. There are three Gigabit Ethernet LAN ports on the back, a Gigabit WAN port, a USB 2.0 port (for printer and external hard drive sharing), and a power port. Still, those with a love for Apple's design-and hassle-free setup-will no doubt be happy with this attractive piece of hardware. Also, power users and those who need to get very granular with their wireless networks will likely want to look to other dual-band routers with more advanced capabilities. Add in dead-simple setup and it's a sure bet the new AirPort will delight many, despite the fact that the AirPort is not among the fastest pre-draft 802.11ac routers we've tested in 11ac mode. It's no surprise that the device is about as gorgeous as a router can get and that it has decent throughput (excellent at the 2.4GHz band, actually), not only with the 802.11ac-supported 13-and 11- inch MacBook Air's ( at Amazon) (Opens in a new window) wireless adapters, but with Windows systems, too. Instead, the new AirPort is a mini-tower-designed to maximize wireless performance.
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