Customer Reviews

Apple Airport Express Base Station

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The Airport Express Base Station is brilliant. I have been using one for years with no problems whatsoever. It adds 3 important features.
1. Maximizing your network speed. Even if you have a fast (5GHz) router, your network will slow down for the slower devices on it (printers, iPhones, older computers etc).. To get the speed you paid for, you need a second device to handle the slower devices (or a "dual" network). An Airport Express does this perfectly. I added one to my network for iphones, speakers and printer. (Apple's help system literally walks you through the whole setup process). Even if you do not have a 5GHz router and can't use this feature, read on...

2. Turn a plain USB printer into a wireless network printer! Print from any computer on your network. (I've been told I can also print from outside my network but have not tried it.) Print from your iPhone!!! (probably other phones as well). The free iPhone HP app found my printer automatically and printed! (iTunes has other iPhone print apps so your brand probably has one too).

3. Play songs through your audio system, straight from iTunes - wirelessly! I have my Airport Express connected to my audio system (which includes outside speakers). When we have get togethers, I can take my laptop anywhere (even outside) and control the music, change playlists - whatever. iTunes lets you choose to play through one or all sets of speakers. I doubt its the most practical solution but theoretically, you could have a separate set of speakers in each room, connect an AExpress to each one and control from iTunes which rooms hear the music.

I am biased towards Apple Products (I admit it) because they are fun. So as usual, setup with a Mac is about as easy as it can get. I assume, however that Windows must be easy also. I know the Airport Express plays well with PC because my sister has no problem joining my network with her PC laptop when she visits.

I have this in my house with an airport extreme. It serves the purpose of extending the range of my wireless network and of course playing music wirelessly. The USB port on it also enables me to connect a printer or external hard drive on the network.