Airport v Netgear?

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Airport v Netgear?

I must confess to being somewhat confused here. What are the benefits of buying Airport Express or Airport Extreme as opposed to just a Netgear wireless modem/router. And what's the difference between AExpress and AExtreme?

I'm not interested in using it to link with my stereo as I never use the stereo, just the iPod with Bose speakers, so that's not a selling point for me. But maybe theres something I've missed?

iMac G5, Mac OS X (10.4.3)

Posted on Jan 5, 2006 2:26 PM

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Answer 1

Mrs Overall Author

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Jan 5, 2006 2:28 PM in response to Mrs Overall

By the way I'm on a wired Speedtouch ADSL 330 at the moment. I'm just looking for a bit more speed and portability.

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Answer 2

Jan 5, 2006 2:52 PM in response to Mrs Overall

The main advantage is that the Airport is much more than a simple router. It is a print server and includes a modem so that you can be wireless over dialup. They are also very easy to set up from within OS X, instead of having to dive deep into the router's software.

That said, it really isn't that hard to set up a mixed Mac/PC network with a Netgear/Linksys/D-Link router. I have the Netgear WGR614 myself and it works very well. It cost all of $30 at Best Buy.

Airport Express is the full router, while Airport Extreme is a small pocket router that adds audio outs for streaming music. It can also be used to add wireless to an older Mac that cannot take advantage of the faster speeds of 802.11G in Airport Extreme. You can plug it into the wall and plug an older iMac into it and the AX connect to the router wirelessly.

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Answer 3

Mrs Overall Author

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Jan 6, 2006 2:02 AM in response to Eric Kracinski

Thanks Eric. I'm somewhat technical but clueless refarding networking etc so I don't really understand what you mean when you say 'print server'! Do you mean I can then connect my printer wirelessly?

To get down to very basics (sorry) if I was using AExtreme, how exactly I use it? My idea is that I want to use the iMac downstairs in the sitting room sometimes - to pretend to be a bit more sociable in the evenings! - it usually lives upstairs in the study. So would I just carry it, and the AExtreme, down and not have to plug anything in except the main power supply or can the AE be left in situ and 'detected' from any room in the house?

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Answer 4

Jan 6, 2006 6:08 AM in response to Mrs Overall

Yes, a print server will allow you to conenct a USB printer to the Airport base so that you can print wirelessly.

Moving within the house it rather the entire point of AE, so you certainly could do what you describe.

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Answer 5

Mrs Overall Author

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Jan 6, 2006 7:05 AM in response to Eric Kracinski

Cheers Eric. Think I'm sold. Certainly alot clearer about AE's uses now.

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Answer 6

Jan 6, 2006 8:06 AM in response to Mrs Overall

Just one clarification. Eric made a little typo. Airport Express is the little square one, and airport extreme is the large round one. Just switch the names and everything else he said is 100% correct.

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Answer 7

Jan 6, 2006 1:24 PM in response to Mrs Overall

One thing you need to be aware of is that your USB modem will need to be replaced with an Ethernet one as a USB modem can not be connected to a Wireless router.

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Answer 8

Jan 6, 2006 2:07 PM in response to Barbara Brundage

Thanks for catching that Barbara! Keep me on my toes.

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