AirPort Express vs. Extreme

I'm looking to set up a wireless home network. Do I need the Airport Extreme, or will an Express work? All I use right now is an iMac and AppleTV. I'd like to set up a secure network for the two rather than use sharing via the iMac.
Any info/opinions? Thanks.

Last week I purchased an Airport Extreme rather than an Express... Here are some of the reasons:
1) it just happens to sit near my Apple TV so I can plug it straight in via the Ethernet cable - so, no Wireless... so should be faster.
2) I wanted to use it for backups. I have 2 old (non N) Airport Express in the house and I just use them for remote printing now. I preferred an Extreme + my own hard disk as it would allow me to upgrade the disk when I needed to.

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I have an old Airport Express I want to use to extend WiFI (which is best Airport Express or Extreme) and to have a HD for storing Itunes connected to the old Airport as well. I would also like to have the new Airport hardwired to my Mac (desktop)

I am willing to buy a new Airport Express or Extreme so I can get at least one LAN port - but only if I can use that LAN port to connect to my MAC (desktop) so it doenst have to get internet via the WiFi- AND so I can set it up as its own hot spot. I think I saw that was possible?? That way my guest network would be separate from my home Network. Just trying to get the best layout. I have cable modem to old Airport now and USB from it to printer.
Maybe a new Airport - again USB to printer and LAN to MAC(?) then old Airport elsewhere in the house to extend the signal and use USB off it to hard drive to store Itunes? Would LOVE to have it there to use for Airplay etc- Is that possible- I have read many comments and still not sure if it is possible or not.
Baxically I need a simple solution to storing all my photos- music and movies (MAC only has 500GB) AND have a great back up; Currently have a 1TB drive as Time Machine - so could use that for back up- but running out of space on MAC for all the media I am saving. THANKS!!

You are asking several different questions. If you need to store your photos, music, and movies on an external volume, you certainly can. Any externally connected hard disk drive will work, connected either directly to your Mac or to your Time Capsule as a shared volume.
You should not rely upon using that as a backup device though. Although you certainly may use it for both purposes, it is a better idea to have dedicated backup devices for a variety of reasons not limited to redundancy. You would not want to simultaneously lose all your pictures as well as your backup. If they are all on the same device, that could happen. Furthermore, a backup cannot back up the volume on which it is running.
As for adding an Extreme or Express, using its LAN port for your iMac, and then enable Internet sharing so you can effectively use the iMac as a "hotspot", you can do that too, but I am unclear on what benefit you believe this arrangement would convey for you.
An Extreme's Guest network is separate from its Main network; that is the reason for having it.

WHICH IS BETTER AS A BUSINESS TRAVELER-AIRPORT EXPRESS OR EXTREME

Can someone please advise me as a business traveler since this is my first Mac in many, many years whether the Airport Express or Extreme would be the "best fit" for me?
I'm assuming Express would be the idea situation....thanks!

Hmmm. To be honest, I don't see how this would help you at an airport. They are all using wireless for public use. You simply locate the wireless network with your computer and log on (and pay the fees via your credit card unless its a free service).
Power wise, you would need an AC outlet to plug the Express in. Those are sometimes difficult to find as well at the airport. But again, having an AirPort Express around when a wireless network is already available would not benefit you in any way.

Hi, I'm thinking of buying the Airport Express or Extreme for my school dormitory, would i need to plug them into the already existing school internet via LAN cable or do the products just work by themselves?

Hi, I'm thinking of buying the Airport Express or Extreme for my school dormitory, would i need to plug them into the already existing school internet via LAN cable or do the products just work by themselves?

Welcome to Apple Support Communities
AirPort stations aren't modems, so they have to be connected to the modem you are already using. The AirPort Extreme and Express have a WAN port, where you have to plug an Ethernet cable that has to be connected to the modem.
After doing this, you can set up the AirPort station by using AirPort Utility. If you have Windows, download AirPort Utility from the Apple website > http://support.apple.com/kb/dl1547

AirPrint via Airport Express or Extreme

Any plans for AirPrint support for printers connected via Airport Express or Extreme ?

Hello. Here is a solution without the need of a main computer...
http://www.amazon.com/Lantronix-xPrintServer-Home-Printing-XPS1002HM-01-S/dp/B00 8KCSPRK/ref=sr_1_1?s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1365001962&sr=1-1
I got one my self. It works.

Differences between AirPort Express and Extreme?

What are they differences between AirPort Express and Extreme?

You can find all the differences between the AirPort Express and Extreme in this website > http://www.apple.com/compare-wifi-models/

Problems with Airport Express and Extreme

I have tried to set up Airport Express and Extreme. Both proceeded normally in the Air Port Utility until the final stages. Then it said it couldn't find the devices. When I tried again (many times), I couldn't even start the process, even though it did that the first time for both. I'm stumped.

To set up the 802.11n AirPort Extreme Base Station (AEBSn) as a bridge, either connect to the AEBSn's wireless network or temporarily connect your computer directly (using an Ethernet cable) to one of the LAN port of the AEBSn, and then, using the AirPort Utility, make these settings:
AirPort Utility > Select the AEBSn > Manual Setup > Internet > Internet Connection tab
Connection Sharing: Off (Bridge Mode)
Click Update to apply the new settings
AirPort Express Base Station (AX) - iTunes Setup
Either connect to the AX's wireless network or connect directly, using an Ethernet cable, to the Ethernet port of the AX, and then using the AirPort Utility in "Manual Setup" mode, make the following changes:
AirPort Utility > Select the AX > Manual Setup > AirPort > Wireless
Wireless Mode: Join a wireless network
Network Name: <existing AEBSn's wireless network>
Wireless Security: <select the encryption type of the existing wireless network>
Wireless Password: <enter the existing wireless network password>
Verify Password: <re-enter the existing wireless network password>
AirPort Utility > Select the AX > Manual Setup >Music
Enable AirPlay (checked)
iTunes Speaker Name: <enter desired speaker name>
iTunes Speaker Password: (optional)
Verify Password: (optional)
Click Update to write the new settings to the AX

Any software differences between new airport express and extreme?

I was wondering if there are any features or configuration differences between the two, such as configuring VPN passthrough.
The only difference I can see is using the USB for hard drive use.
Also, do you think the performance will be similar. I know the time capsule actually rated slower than the extreme even though they use similar hardware.

You can find all the differences between the AirPort Express and Extreme in this website > http://www.apple.com/compare-wifi-models/

Airport express or extreme for home wireless network

My Mac Pro is hooked up to my internet upstairs. I would like to hook-up my sony bravia to the internet through a wireless bridge. Do I need the express or extreme? My PS3 is already hooked up to my mac pro through internet sharing. What is the best way to set up an internet connection for my tv and PS3?

joek1 wrote:
My Mac Pro is hooked up to my internet upstairs. I would like to hook-up my sony bravia to the internet through a wireless bridge. Do I need the express or extreme? My PS3 is already hooked up to my mac pro through internet sharing. What is the best way to set up an internet connection for my tv and PS3?
an airport extreme base station has 3 LAN ports ...

Panasonic BL-C131 wireless doesn't work with Airport Express and Extreme

I have Airport Express to create a wireless network, and an Airport Extreme to extend the wireless network. When I connect the LAN cable on Extreme and the Panasonic BL-C131, the camera can successfully detect IP and work fine. However, when I remove the cable and switch the camera to wireless mode, it can never detect the IP. I've read somewhere in the camera manual that it needs a UPnP enabled router to have wireless work. I am wondering if there is any way to confirm, since I know Airport only support Bonjour.
I really like to keep the Airport at home, or I'll need to replace it with a D-link router.

Issue solved

Weird semi-loss of AirPort Express and Extreme

I have an odd symptom where, when I launch iTunes, my AirPort Express is sometimes listed is not available from my Power Mac G% (running 10.4.8).
When I launch AirPort Admin Utility, NONE OF MY AIRPORTS (either Extreme or Express) are listed. Rescanning or selecting Other does not solve this.
What is odd is (1) The AirPort menu still shows me connected to my AirPort network and indeed I still have Web access etc. and (2) If I launch AirPort Admin Utility from my MacBook Pro, it shows all the AirPorts correctly (so the problem seems limited to my G5 rather than the AirPort devices).
If I restart my Power Mac G5, the problem goes away and all works well again- for a day or so - and then it returns.
What can I do to permanently eliminate this annoying symptom?

1.) Since the Airport Express is extending the Extreme Network, will my whole network now be single radio only network, since the Express only has one radio?
Although, your AirPort Express is 802.11n, it is not simultaneous dual-band. That means it can either extend the AirPort Extreme Base Station (AEBSn) 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz radio but not both at the same time. So the AEBSn will still be broadcasting on both the 5 GHz (for 802.11a/n) and on 2.4 GHz (for 802.11b/g/n).
2.) What if both an 802.11g and 802.11n device connect to the Express' radio instead of the Extreme's for some reason, will this make both devices operate at 2.4GHz?
Yes.
3.) What if an 802.11g device connects to the Airport Express' radio. Since this is now 2.4GHz, will it only now communicate with the Airport Extreme at 2.4GHz?
Assuming that you configured the AXn to extend the AEBSn's 2.4 GHz radio, it will only be able to communicate back to the AEBSn on its 2.4 GHz radio.

Itunes remote speaker using Airport Express and Extreme

I have purchased an Airport Extreme and Airport Express, so I can listen Itunes music on my stereo system. For some reason, there is simply no remote speaker selection button on the bottom right of the Itunes windows. Does it has to do with the fact that I am using an old Mac OS X?
My Macmini has no airport card, so I connected the ethernet to the Airport extreme, and plugged the Airport express few feet from the base. Nothing but an orange tilting light comes out of the little box. I can surf the net perfectly but the Itunes is ignoring all my investment on the couple of Airport boxes i purchase...What I am doing wrong?

Yes, I thought that purchasing the Airport extreme as
the ethernet interfase directly connected to the
MacMini, was almost the same as having the airport
card inside the Mini. Where did I get lost?? I have
the extreme directly to the mini, and an express
plugged somewhere close and nothing happens...
The problem is that the mini can only stream iTunes to an Airport Express via Airport. While you have connected it to an Airport basestation, as far as the mini is concerned, it is working via ethernet because that's how the data is leaving the system. It doesn't have an Airport card, thus it can't stream iTunes content to an Airport Express.

Airport Express or Extreme Card?

I have an airport extreme base station with cable modem for my ibook. I now have a second hand computer - (imac 10.2.8) and would like to connect it. I haven't a clue which I should get so I can have the internet on both.

kandushka, Welcome to the discussion area!
There is no AirPort Express card.
If your iMac is:
an iMac G3 CRT with a clock speed of 400 MHz or faster, it has an internal slot for the original AirPort card. The AirPort card adapter is also required to use the card in an iMac G3. The AirPort Extreme card is NOT compatible.
an iMac G3 CRT Blueberry with a clock speed of 350 MHz, it has an internal slot for the original AirPort card. The AirPort card adapter is also required to use the card in an iMac G3. The AirPort Extreme card is NOT compatible.
an iMac G4 with a clock speed of 700 or 800 MHz, it has an internal slot for the original AirPort card. The AirPort Extreme card is NOT compatible.
an iMac G4 with a clock speed of 1 GHz or higher, it has an internal slot for the AirPort Extreme card. The original AirPort card is NOT compatible.
an iMac G5 and does not have built-in wireless, it has an internal slot for the AirPort Extreme card. The original AirPort card is NOT compatible.

Which to buy airport express or extreme

I want to go wireless for my mac mini as well as use it to stream videos to my TV, use it for wireless printing and with my two iphones. Security is #1 however speed to almost of equal importance. I have my internet connection thru my cable company and would buy an apple TV for streaming video to my TV. In addition to buying and streaming video I would also use the TV to show my slideshows and video. What hookup would be best?

Unless you have an additional networking requirement to support wired clients, then the 802.11n AirPort Express Base Station (AXn) should be able to support all of your stated requirements.
Both base stations provide the same security levels and both allow for streaming. However, the Extreme does have the feature to operate on both the 2.4 and 5 GHz radio bands simultaneously, whereas the Express can only operate on one or the other at a time. The Extreme also support sharing USB HDDs and/or USB printers attached to its USB port, whereas the Express only supports a single USB printer.
Also, the Express, like the Apple TV, can be used as iTunes speakers, whereas the Extreme cannot.
The best hookup for the TV would be HMDI.

AirPort Express vs Extreme. Is this a solution? My wife wants to be able to access files on her hard drive for our Mac by way of a laptop from anywhere in the house. For example, she would like access her $ software from any computer in house.

Will one of these work to use software from iMac on any laptop wirelessly around the house? Which would be better Express or Extreme?

I've had much better luck with Express rather than the Extreme.
She can use "Sharing"
Apple - AirPort Express - Easy Setup
Mac 101: File sharing

Airport Express and Extreme are not working together

My new airport extreme came up just fine. All my Macs and PCs connected effortlessly.
The same can not be said for my Airport Express. I reset it, and it takes the config, then vanishes. Connected directly to my Mac, to the Airport Express, or via wireless to the express, it still just disappears and gives a blinking amber light.
I tried re-installing 6.3 firmware, with no luck. Any ideas?

Dan,
Thanks for the clarification. The behavior you're encountering sounds as if it may be the expected behavior of an Airport Express after it has been set to client mode, but wasn't able to join the network. Typically when setting up an Airport Express you'd want the unit to be in the same room as the Extreme, and then if the Airport LED is not going green then it's typically an authentication association relates situation. Have you reviewed knowledge base article http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=302153 ?
Regards,
Chris

AirPort Express vs. Extreme

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