Apple Quietly Releases 802.11n Capable Airport Extreme [Updated]
Although not mentioned during Steve Jobs' keynote address, Apple has updated their Airport Extreme base station to include 802.11n compatibility, producing up to 5x the performance and up to 2x the range as the previous Airport Extreme model. The new model also comes in a modified enclosure that closely resembles the Apple TV.
Features
- Protocol Support: 802.11 a/b/g/draft-n
- WEP/WPA/WPA2 for wireless security
Ports
- 1 USB (for sharing printers or USB Disk sharing)
- 1 10/100 BASE-T Ethernet WAN port for connecting to Internet
- 3 10/100 BASE-T Ethernet LAN ports for connecting to local networked devices.
- Security slot and 12v power.
It also appears as though users of Core 2 Duo-based Macs which have been quietly shipping with 802.11n capable chipsets will be receiving "802.11n Enabler" software. The software is listed on the Airport Extreme specification page.
The new base station is priced at $179 and will ship in February, and can be purchased at the Apple Store (UK Apple Store).
A transcript and keynote photos from our live coverage are still available.
Update: According to both the Airport Extreme specification page and a 802.11 explanation page on Apple's website, it appears that the 802.11n Enabler software will only ship with the Airport Extreme.
Features
- Protocol Support: 802.11 a/b/g/draft-n
- WEP/WPA/WPA2 for wireless security
Ports
- 1 USB (for sharing printers or USB Disk sharing)
- 1 10/100 BASE-T Ethernet WAN port for connecting to Internet
- 3 10/100 BASE-T Ethernet LAN ports for connecting to local networked devices.
- Security slot and 12v power.
It also appears as though users of Core 2 Duo-based Macs which have been quietly shipping with 802.11n capable chipsets will be receiving "802.11n Enabler" software. The software is listed on the Airport Extreme specification page.
The new base station is priced at $179 and will ship in February, and can be purchased at the Apple Store (UK Apple Store).
A transcript and keynote photos from our live coverage are still available.
Update: According to both the Airport Extreme specification page and a 802.11 explanation page on Apple's website, it appears that the 802.11n Enabler software will only ship with the Airport Extreme.
Top Rated Comments
(View all)
67 months ago
Wow, it's more than half the volume of the Mac mini (same footprint, over half the height). ... That seems rather big to me, but to be honest I haven't been around too many wireless base stations / routers. Is this a bit bulky?
67 months ago
Wow, it's more than half the volume of the Mac mini (same footprint, over half the height). ... That seems rather big to me, but to be honest I haven't been around too many wireless base stations / routers. Is this a bit bulky?
Well I think its about the same size as most routers. It doesnt really matter too much since routers are usually tucked away somewhere hidden.
67 months ago
will the 802.11n enabler be available for download if im not using an airport extreme n router, i have an n router.
67 months ago
Hard drive sharing is nice, but $179? Seriously?
This plus the AppleTV that won't work with a standard television and no iPhone until June means this will be the first keynote day where I haven't ordered something from the Apple Store.
This plus the AppleTV that won't work with a standard television and no iPhone until June means this will be the first keynote day where I haven't ordered something from the Apple Store.
67 months ago
My gut reaction was "too expensive," but the feature set is hard to price. There is the announced but unreleased Linksys WRT600N, (link) with an identical feature (N routing plus UBS port) set PLUS gigabit ethernet (according to some rumors) that is allegedly priced at $199, so it could be my gut is wrong.
67 months ago
In my opinion this was the biggest release today.... not the iPhone and not the ?tv.
I'm seriously thinking about getting this to replace my current APEXTREME because I have a new need to run one extra Ethernet cable off of the base station to my PS3.
Plus the extended range is a nice tweak.
I'm seriously thinking about getting this to replace my current APEXTREME because I have a new need to run one extra Ethernet cable off of the base station to my PS3.
Plus the extended range is a nice tweak.
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