papillondefer

Q: What are the benefits of using apples airport express over standard wifi boxes?

I'm very new to apple, just purchased my new macbook pro, I have an iPhone 4s 5 and an iPad, however I am unsure if I get the benefits out of the products as it's all very new.  I wanted to know if there were any major benefits for using the airpot express wifi box over my internet providers wifi box?

MacBook Pro with Retina display, iOS 6.1.4

Posted on Jul 16, 2013 8:49 PM

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Q: What are the benefits of using apples airport express over standard wifi boxes?

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  • by Shawn Grinter 2,

    Shawn Grinter 2 Shawn Grinter 2 Jul 17, 2013 4:01 AM in response to papillondefer
    Level 3 (964 points)
    Jul 17, 2013 4:01 AM in response to papillondefer

    Mainly Airplay, Time Machine and/or SAN and attaching printers.

     

    Some routers allow the last two but I've generally found the Aiports easier to administer,

     

    Extending the network becomes a breeze via Apples WDS *but* you have to turn the Routers WIFi off and just use the Airport for Wireless. Apples WDS only extends Airports to Airports (or Time Capsules)

     

    I've turned my Netgears WRN2000's WiFi off (conveniently it has a hardware switch for this), then used an Airport as a "main" node with 5 other Airports hanging off it. One extended via a cable, the other wirelessly.

     

    This configuration supports 4 phones, an iPad, 6 'puters, 2 sets of speakers, a printer, a SAN, a WiFi TV and a PVR!

     

    Regards,

    Shawn

  • by wuzradioman,Helpful

    wuzradioman wuzradioman Jul 17, 2013 4:05 AM in response to papillondefer
    Level 4 (2,158 points)
    Jul 17, 2013 4:05 AM in response to papillondefer

    I'm using an Airport Express, and do find it to be a reliable, quality wifi device.  However, if you find that your current wi fi system is giving you reliable wi fi service, and you are happy with the Internet speed that you are getting, I see no benefit derived from purchasing an express. 

  • by papillondefer,

    papillondefer papillondefer Jul 17, 2013 4:24 AM in response to wuzradioman
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jul 17, 2013 4:24 AM in response to wuzradioman

    Excellent! Simple advice and understood! I'm not technical so thank you. Very helpful!

     

    You may be able to help me with my other question I've posted?

  • by Dudikowski,

    Dudikowski Dudikowski Nov 21, 2014 2:29 AM in response to papillondefer
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Nov 21, 2014 2:29 AM in response to papillondefer

    I'd like to add automatic fiwmware updates. Mac OS X takes care of updating the Airport firmware.