AirPort Extreme or AirPort Express?

Hello Linda.

Both are "Extreme" based on the 802.11g wireless standard and compatible with Airport or wireless cards based on the 802.11b wireless standard.

AirPort Express provides simultaneous wireless Internet access via your DSL or cable modem for up to 10 computers and you can play iTunes music wirelessly from your computer via AirTunes with the AE connected to a stereo receiver or speakers.

Using the AirPort Extreme Base Station, up to 50 users can work on the Internet simultaneously.

Check Airport Express with AirTunes and AirPort Extreme Base Station for the differences.

I recommend going with the Airport Express since you probably won't need more than 10 users/computers accessing the internet at the same time. If you are able to position your DSL or Cable modem and the AE near your stereo receiver, you will be able to play iTunes music from your Mac wirelessly thru the stereo. If not and your budget allows, you can purchase a 2nd AE Base Station and position it next to your stereo receiver or speakers in another part of your living area - den, bedroom, etc. for playing iTunes music wirelessly if this is something you are interested in which is a great feature.

Great post, Allan.

I have purchased Airport Express and have been better than pleased with it. I was able to "cut the wire" between iMac, cable modem, and printer, and that made my wife quite happy aesthetically. Installation was easy, and, although I note a slight drop in internet download, it is pretty close to ethernet connection. Moreover, now we have a pair of speakers to send iTune music to our dining room so we no longer have to go over to our stereo and change CD when we have guests for dinner.

I agree that Airport Express Base Station will be sufficient for you need. But, you also have to have Airport Extreme Card installed in your computers. So, if your Macs did not come with them, remember to purchase them.
Happy wireless computing!!!

iMac G5 1.8Ghz Mac OS X (10.3.9)

Thanks.

But, you also have to have Airport Extreme Card installed in
your computers. So, if your Macs did not come with them,
remember to purchase them.

An Airport Extreme card is not required to use an AE or Airport Extreme Base Station. Both base stations are compatible with the 802.11b wireless standard.

Achieving data rates of 54 Mbps (802.11g wireless standard) requires that all users have an AirPort Extreme or Wi-Fi-certified 802.11g enabled computer and connect to an AirPort Express Base Station or Airport Extreme Base Station. If a user of a Wi-Fi-certified 802.11b product joins the network, that user will get up to 11 Mbps and AirPort Extreme and Wi-Fi-certified 802.11g users will get less than 54 Mbps. Actual speed will vary based on range, connection rate, site conditions, size of network, and other factors.

The 54 Mbps and 11 Mbps is related to wireless data transfer rates between computers only and you don't need an Airport Extreme card to play iTunes music wirelessly thru AirTunes and all Macs that are Airport ready without an Airport card installed don't support an Airport Extreme card.