Impossible to please
At Apple, success just isn't good enough. You see this all the time with their product improvements. Take for example, the AirPort Extreme. It wasn't enough for Apple that their wireless networking device was hands-down the best in its class. No, they had to take the design a step further. So they re-built the AirPort Extreme, this time including new technologies and refinements that make it up to 50% better wireless performance, with a 25% better wireless range than its predecessor. And all of that comes without sacrificing any features, bulking up its size, or prompting from close competitors. Which leaves the question: Will Apple ever be truly satisfied by making a great product?
What's so special?
So, this is Apple's wireless router. But what makes it better than the any-brand model you can pick up at Wally World? It's an Apple. Now, the fact that it's made by Apple may be enough for hardcore Mac fanboys, but the important thing is that because it's an Apple product, you know it's going to be packed full of features that elevate it above the competition. What kind of features? Innovations like simultaneous dual-band support, compatibility with 802.11a/b/g/and n standards, the power to connect up to 50 users, super-simple set-up, support for USB hard drives and printers (even at the same time with a USB hub), and easy set-up of those devices. On top of all that, it's one of the best-performing routers available, and it plays nicely with just about any device you'd want to use. Plus it's priced pretty darn competitively. Innovation — it's what Apple does.
Geek-speak
The AirPort Extreme is fully caught up with the latest in Wi-Fi tech. As such, it offers compatibility with the latest 802.11n draft 2.0 wireless technology as well as backwards-compatibility with 802.11a/b/g products. But we're not done yet. Products like the iPod touch or devices using 802.11b or 802.11g protocol operate on a 2.4GHz band. But today's latest computers and other products can use the faster 5GHz band. If you've got an iPhone and a new iMac, which would you choose? Faster internet for your computer and iPhone data charges, or slower internet with both devices supported? With AirPort Extreme, that's a choice you'll never have to make. It offers simultaneous dual-band support so you can use the 5GHz band with products that can use it, while still getting great internet signal on your devices which use the 2.4GHz band. And this selection happens automatically so you don't have any extensive configurations to go through to get the best signal for your device.
Lockdown
Maybe you're a little hesitant to use the AirPort Extreme as the hub of your wireless network, though. After all, if you have guests that use your wireless network, you need security. Well, not to worry. The AirPort Extreme offers one of the most unique security solutions. It allows you to create a guest network separate from your home network so your friends can surf the web without needing your Wi-Fi password or being able to access your total network. Still feeling a little scared about letting others on your internet connection? You can equip the guest network with a separate password while your home network will still remain safe. And of course, you can secure your home network with either 40-bit or 128-bit encryption. Plus, since the AirPort Extreme's got such a long range, you should definitely add a password to keep neighbors or passers-by from using your internet connection for dastardly deviousness.
Now that we're warmed up . . .
OK, by now we've pretty well covered that the AirPort Extreme is one high-performance wireless networking solution. But bringing you the internet is not the only thing the AirPort Extreme is good for, not by a long shot. After all, it's called a home network not a home wireless web connection. Shouldn't you be able to connect to other computers? Isn't that the definition of a network? Other manufacturers may not understand that sort of basic English, but Apple does. That's why, on your home network, you can have up to 50 different users, letting you share files, challenge each other in games, and a whole lot more.
Á la Shakespeare
OK, OK, confession time. Apple understands that a home network should let you interact with other computers on the same network. They understand the meaning of "network." But just like some of the world's best writers, Apple is taking some creative liberties with the word. You see here, not only can you network with other computers, you can share devices. The AirPort Extreme has a USB port which allows you to connect a printer or a USB hard drive to it. That device can then be shared across your entire network. What does that mean for you? Well, before, let's say you had a desktop computer hooked up to the printer in the den, a laptop you use, and another desktop in the house. Printing a document from the laptop or desktop before required an elaborate shuffle to a USB drive, onto the den computer, and then printing, or else unplugging the printer from the desktop to your laptop. There's a better way. With AirPort extreme, the same task would require you to . . . press print on your network-connected computer. Ta-da! The document will be waiting for you by the time you get there. Saving to or reading from a USB hard drive is just as easy. And, with a separate USB hub, you could have multiple devices connected at the same time. All that certainly gives new meaning to "network."
The social butterfly
Remember all the drama in high school? Back then, it was all about who was talking to who, and she was mad at him, and they didn't invite him to the party. If you spend much time studying home computing, you'll notice that it's pretty similar. Many manufacturers like to play political games, offering compatibility to the manufacturers they like and ignoring the ones they don't. Apple, on the other hand, is the kid cool enough to hang out with the popular people, but with a big enough heart to reach out to the loners. The AirPort Extreme works perfectly with most Macs and PCs from the past five years or so. Just to be safe, check the system requirements, since different operations like administration have different requirements, but chances are, you're covered. Not only does it play nicely with both Mac and Windows computers, and let them work well with each other, it works with virtually any USB accessory from printers to hard drives, even to memory card readers. With Apple products, the popular brands have realized that Apple isn't insecure like them. It isn't worried about being seen playing with the outcasts, so luckily for you, the AirPort Extreme will work with basically any product you'd like it to. In fact, it's so social you don't need to have a single Mac product connected to your home network with the AirPort Extreme (although you'll probably want to — Macs rock).
So easy, hairy insurance spokesmen look brilliant
If you watch TV, you're probably familiar with the insurance ads featuring cavemen. Well, AirPort Extreme is so easy, their technologically-illiterate grandmothers could use it. After all, it is an Apple product, so it "just works." Included with the AirPort extreme is the software you need for both Macs and PCs. It installs in a breeze, and then you're ready to start setting up your network. Then before you could call a techie friend for help, you're done. All you have to do is plug in the power cord, plug in your internet cable, and follow the on-screen instructions. That may sound similar to a non-Apple router, but what's onscreen is the difference. Most router set-up programs practically require an advanced engineering degree from MIT. You have to input long strings of code, decipher the setting options, and perform all sorts of hidden tweaks to get your network running like you'd like. The AirPort Extreme, on the other hand, it guides you through everything you need to do to optimize your network. Using that plain, simple English they know so well, Apple guides you through all the steps and settings quickly and easily. And setting up your devices is just as simple! It kind of makes shopping for car insurance seem like rocket science.
Windows system requirements
Here are the PC system requirements for various operations with the AirPort Extreme. Setup and Administration requires Windows XP or later, a CD drive, and ethernet or wireless networking capability. To access the wireless network, you just need a PC with a Wi-Fi certified 802.11a, b, g, or n card. In order to print using a shared printer, you'll need a USB printer and XP or later, plus Bonjour for Windows (which is included on a CD with the AirPort Extreme). Finally for AirPort Disk with a USB hard drive, you'll need XP or Later, plus Bonjour. That's all!
Mac system requirements
In order to use the AirPort Extreme with a Mac, here's what you'll need for various operations. For setup and administration, you'll need to be running at least OS X v10.5.7 or later, have a CD drive, and either ethernet or wireless networking. For wireless access, you'll just need a Mac with AirPort wireless capability. To print on a shared printer, you'll need a USB printer and at least OS X v10.2.7. Finally, to use AirPort Disk with a USB hard drive, you need to be using at least OS X v10.4.8. That's it!
