New vs old airport extreme

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Level 1

5 points

New vs old airport extreme

Im looking to get a new router with some additional capabilities. Im leaning towards the airport extreme cause I have a couple macs. I dont really need to spend the extra money on the Time Capsule cause I have an external HD I could plug into the AE.

Does the old round style have any additional capabilities over a standard router? Those are far cheaper on ebay than the new style ones are at the store. Or is the newer style THAT much better as a backup machine, printer, etc. Also can I connect an Airport Extreme to my stereo and play music from my itunes through it. Does it do anything neat like that?

Also is the overall internet speed better on that than my current linksys router (about 4 years old)? Im having a lot of problems with it.

Any input would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

Powerbook, Mac OS X (10.5.7), iPhone 3G

Posted on Sep 29, 2009 4:45 PM

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Answer 1

Sep 29, 2009 6:28 PM in response to Tmilless

Tmilless wrote:
Does the old round style have any additional capabilities over a standard router?

It depends on what you mean by "standard router". One advantage Apple equipment has with a Mac is that they come with convenient configuration software.

Or is the newer style THAT much better as a backup machine, printer, etc. Also

can I connect an Airport Extreme to my stereo and play music from my itunes through it.

You need an AirPort Express to do that.

Also is the overall internet speed better on that than my current linksys router (about 4 years old)?

If you're talking about a wireless connection, with your 802.11g (at best) PowerBook (what model?) you probably wouldn't see any improvement with the newest equipment over what you have now.

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Answer 2

Duane

Level 10

124,293 points

Sep 30, 2009 6:28 AM in response to Tmilless

Does the old round style have any additional capabilities over a standard router?

You can attach a USB printer and print remotely from anywhere on your network.

Also can I connect an Airport Extreme to my stereo and play music from my itunes through it. Does it do anything neat like that?

No. The AirPort Extreme base station (AEBS) does not have an audio output. To do that you would need the AirPort Express (AX).

Also is the overall internet speed better on that than my current linksys router (about 4 years old)? Im having a lot of problems with it.

If the Linksys is 802.11b, then yes. If the Linksys is 802.11b/g then probably no.

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Answer 3

Tmilless Author

Level 1

5 points

Sep 30, 2009 5:24 PM in response to Duane

Thanks guys!

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