Is Airport Extreme a Worthwhile Upgrade Over 1st Generation Airport Express?

My two year old Airport Express still works fine. WIFI seems good. Wireless connection to Imac computer seems pretty fast. Is it worth getting the Airport Extreme? Will connection speeds increase or video streaming?

If your AirPort Express is two years old, it is already a second generation Express. The first generation Express was 802.11g only, while one that is two years old is also capable of 5 GHz 802.11n.
The newest one a/k/a the "dual band" AirPort Express has several attractive features besides its simultaneous dual band capability, but it is not likely that you will find any appreciable speed increase, and none at all if you are already using 5 GHz 802.11n channels exclusively.
If you have a mixed network with both 2.4 and 5 GHz devices then a dual band base station would be an improvement. Either the Extreme or the new Express are capable of that.

Similar Messages

Time to upgrade my 1st Generation Airport Extreme?

As the title says, thinking it's time to upgrade my 1st Generation Airport Extreme (Draft 'n') to the latest 5th generation model, just to be clear my existing Extreme is the current form factor white square design and not the very earlier dome version (although I did have one of those too once upon a time).
Here's my thinking/question, current Extreme has been a great trusty workhorse since new, reliable and generally rock solid performance, however a recent upgrade to a super fast 'Fibre To The Home' internet connection is making me think it's time for an upgrade to solve low speed/throughput issues with the current Extreme setup.
With my current iMac networked to the wall mounted Fibre (1000 Mbps ethernet) router via Cat 5e I'm getting amazing speeds on speedtest.net (i.e 760 Mbps down and 228 Mbps up), however when wirelessly connected to the Extreme with my iPhone 4S and MacBook (Black) I get the following speedtest.net results:
iPhone 4S: 17 Mbps down and 34 Mbps up
Macbook: 24 Mbps down and 63 Mbps up
(Interesting that the uploads seem to have better connection/throughput than the downloads, normally the opposite applies?)
I understand that the current Extreme is somewhat crippled as it features 100 Mbps Ethernet ports (latest models have 1000 Mbps), however the wireless speeds still seem way below what I would expect (i.e. nearer 100 Mbps), both the 4S and Macbook are within feet of the Extreme.
The Extreme is set to 'n' only 2.4 Ghz, bridge mode (letting the wall mounted Fibre router do all the routing/DHCP work) via Ethernet Cat5 from one of the 4 Ethernet ports on the wall mounted Fibre router to the Extreme WAN port, tried various channels, 1, 6 and 11. Current Firmware 7.6.1 on the extreme. I have also disabled the wireless connection/network on the Fibre router to avoid any possible interference with the Airport network.
So my main question is, should I look to upgrade to the latest Extreme model, will this improve the wireless speeds, based on my setup what wireless speeds could/should I expect with a new Extreme, or am I missing/overlooking something within the current setup?
Thanks in advance.

Thanks John, this certainly helped.
Speedtest.net results:
2.5 Ghz n: 19 Mbps down and 53 Mbps up
5.0 Ghz n: 28 Mbps down and 58 Mbps up
It also came to light that I wasn't using the best of the speedtest.net servers to do my testing, by accident I selected a different one (Newbury UK - Vodafone) to the one I had been using (Milton Keynes UK) and the Newbury server indicated download speeds of around 50 Mbps, which I feel much happier with.
Seriously considering a new Extreme for the simultaneous 'n' networks, 1000 Mbps ports and no doubt improved components, antenna etc.
Will report back if/when set up.
Thanks again.

Can I boost the DSL signal using my 1st Generation Airport Extreme or Express? Also, can I get wireless printing?

Can I boost the DSL signal using my 1st Generation Airport Extreme or Express?
I just moved into a house where they have ATT DSL and it is really slow in my room. I am hoping that I don't have to purchase a booster and I might be able to use my Airport Extreme or Express to boost it. I don't think they want my Extreme as their router, though. They are PC.
I am also hoping that I can set up a wireless printing situation in my room using the Express or Extreme.
I am running 10.4.11 on my old MacBook Pro laptop, 10.5.something on my old desktop (MacMini).
Thanks for any help ahead of time,
Carole

Can I boost the DSL signal using my 1st Generation Airport Extreme or Express?
I just moved into a house where they have ATT DSL and it is really slow in my room. I am hoping that I don't have to purchase a booster and I might be able to use my Airport Extreme or Express to boost it.
Unfortunately, this won't work especially if you want the connection between the routers to be wireless. The two are just not compatible for configuring an extended network. However, it could work if you can have them interconnected by wire. In that case, you could configure them into a roaming network.
I don't think they want my Extreme as their router, though. They are PC.
This shouldn't be an issue as the AirPorts support wireless clients regardless of which operating system they are running.

I have a 1st generation AirPort Extreme and want to create a guest network, can I? If so, how? Can I do this by adding an Airport Express?

I have a 1st generation AirPort Extreme and want to create a guest network, can I? If so, how? Can I do this by adding an Airport Express?

I have a 1st generation AirPort Extreme and want to create a guest network, can I?
This version of the AirPort Extreme does not have guest network capability.
Can I do this by adding an Airport Express?
Why not simply buy a new Airport Express.....which does have main and guest network capability*.....and sell the AirPort Extreme?
* The AirPort Express will need to connect to a simple modem.....not a modem/router or gateway type of device.....for the guest network feature to work correctly.

I can not set up my airport extreme, he's worked over the internet but I can not back up

I can not set up my airport extreme, he's worked over the internet but I can not back up

''donngra [[#answer-685379|said]]''
<blockquote>
''FredMcD [[#answer-685331|said]]''
<blockquote>
Your System Details shows;
Installed Plug-ins
Shockwave Flash 15.0 r0
Shockwave Flash 11.5 r502
Having more than one version of a program may cause issues.
Grab the uninstaller from here:
'''[http://helpx.adobe.com/flash-player/kb/uninstall-flash-player-windows.html Uninstall Flash Player | Windows]'''
'''[http://helpx.adobe.com/flash-player/kb/uninstall-flash-player-mac-os.html Uninstall Flash Player | Mac]'''
Then reinstall the latest version.
Flash Player '''v16.0.0.296<br>https://www.adobe.com/products/flashplayer/distribution3.html'''
Shockwave Director '''v12.1.6.156 http://get.adobe.com/shockwave/'''
</blockquote>
</blockquote>

What is the proper config for the Airport Extreme when a Voice over IP device is between the cable modem and the router.

What is the proper config for the Airport Extreme when a Voice over IP device is between the cable modem and the router. Its a VoIPo device. The cable modem is connected to the VoIP WAN port and the LAN port on the device feeds the Airport Extreme. The VOIP is working fine, and my Mac are getting 10. addresses from the Airport Extreme. But I do get confict messages and lose my connection periodicaly. Looking for help.

Its a VoIPo device.
Per chance, is this device the Grandstream HT502?

I have a Cisco router and purchased a 1st generation airport, would like to find outbid I could connect the AirPort Extreme wireless with a USB wireless, so I can connect to be able to put the airport in another room to beagle to have it close to stereo

Help setting up airport express. Wireless for streaming

Cisco Linksey EA4500 dual band,
Airport express model and serial # 0024369ca089. 6f9075pa2u6
Ipurchasedan airport it appears to be a 1st generation
What I am trying to accomplish is to have the airport close to my sound system so I can play the I tunes through my built in house stereo system,presently the modem and Cisco router are on a different floor

What is the ip port number for a 1st generation airport express

I have recently upgraded my home wireless router from a Linksys EA2700 to a EA6500. The EA2700 worked fine with my 1st generation Airport Express. Since I have mavericks on my laptop (Airport Utility 6.x is incompatible with Airport Express/b/g) I used Airport Utility 5.6.1 on my Windows 7 laptop. When I goto select my home wireless network in the APU drop down menu to select a network, my home wireless network never shows.
Linksys says it might be a problem with port forwarding and they need to know the ip port number of 1st Generation Appler Express.
Thanks. -Rob

AirPort Utility can be used to configure and change the settings on any of the AirPorts.
If you have a Mac, AirPort Utility is here:
Macintosh HD > Applications > Utiltiies > AirPort Utility
If you have a PC, AirPort Utility for Windows is on the disk that came with the AirPort Express

I can't access my 1st generation airport express devices using airport utility

I have a new Motorola Surfboard Extreme wireless cable modem & router set-up on my main internet cable line. To it i've connected 1st generation airport express using an ethernet and extended it with another 1st generation airport express so i can connect to itunes and a remote printer. When I go to Aiport Utility to perform the set-up, i'm told i need to update to version 5.6. When installing Aiport Utility 5.6 I receive an error prior to completion which prevents me from performing the set-up or even seeing the two airport express devices in the program. Anyone have any ideas on how to fix this?

By "1st generation" AirPort Express are you referring to the 802.11g or 802.11n model? Version 5.6 of the AirPort Utility would be required to administer the older 802.11g Express.
If you do have an 802.11g model, are you actually running OS X 10.7.5 on your Mac?

Have 2 airport extreme base stations connected in chain. Airport utility shows slave unit without power. However, power is on slave unit, but status lights do not show up at all. Small green lights at each back port blink. Anyone have any ideas?

Have 2 airport extreme base stations connected in chain. Airport utility shows slave unit without power. However, power is on slave unit, but status lights do not show up at all. Small green lights at each back port blink. Anyone have any ideas?

Unfortunately, you are describing the symptoms of an AirPort Extreme with a failing (or failed) internal power supply.
As a last resort, try a Factory Default Reset on the AirPort Extreme as follows:
Power off the AirPort by pulling the power cord
Wait a minute or two
Hold in the reset button first, and keep holding it in for an additional 8-10 seconds while you simultaneously plug the power back into the AirPort
Release the reset button and allow a full minute for the AirPort to restart
Now try to configure the AirPort again. If you continue to see the same symptoms as before, the AirPort will need to be replaced.

Is there a way to turn the wireless capabilities off on an AirPort Express? I have an AirPort Extreme as my main router and use the express to just extend it. I only really want to you use the express for hard ethernet connections

Is there a way to turn the wireless capabilities off on an AirPort Express? I have an AirPort Extreme as my main router and use the express to just extend it. I only really want to you use the express for hard ethernet connections. For whatever reason when I have my express extend my wifi at home the download speed from just the express is absolutely terrible, drops to about 1.5 mb compared to when it's on the extremes part of the network the speed goes up to 50-75mb. These terrible download speed really only affects the iPhones as my MacBook Pro usually gets the good speed no matter where it is. I don't believe there is anything wrong with my phone because if I am in the part of the house that uses just the extreme the download speeds on the iphone goes up to 50-75mb. As a note I have an AirPort Extreme on the top floor of my house (second floor) that's where my modem is located. On the first floor that's where one airport express is located. I also have another airport express in the basement that is accessed by my landlord. Any thoughts on how to fix this would be helpful.

Is there a way to turn the wireless capabilities off on an AirPort Express? I have an AirPort Extreme as my main router and use the express to just extend it. I only really want to you use the express for hard ethernet connections.
It appears that your networking goals with the AirPort Express is to use it as a wireless Ethernet bridge instead of using it to extend the wireless range of your AirPort Extreme. The latter requires that the Express Wi-Fi radios be enabled.
If you intended to use the Express as a wireless bridge, you just need to reconfigure it to "Join a wireless" network instead of "Extend a wireless network."
For whatever reason when I have my express extend my wifi at home the download speed from just the express is absolutely terrible, drops to about 1.5 mb compared to when it's on the extremes part of the network the speed goes up to 50-75mb.
In an extended network, the placement of the extending base station is critical as it can only extend the wireless network at the bandwidth at which it receives it.
Please check out the following AirPort User Tip for details on optimal base station placement.

How do I prevent other Mac users from changing my Airport Extreme Network Name and Password within the Airport Utility?

How do I prevent other Mac users from changing my Airport Extreme Network Name and Password within the Airport Utility? My company is using an Airport Extreme in our office now and I want to prevent other employees from messing with the network/settings. Is there a way to place a password on the settings to allow only the admin to access the network name and password?

Hi - you have will have to change the device passwords on all the base stations and then don't give them to anyone except the administrators and tell them not to save them on their computers that use the older versions of the Airport Utility - for the newer versions like the mobile apps, as soon as you enter the pasword it is saved and is visible in the advanced pane along with the network password - so if anyone gets a hold of your iPad or iPhone, they can edit the whole network - I have this same issue with my networks in the office and it is inconvenient but doable - I hope this helps

1st generation airport express base station not showing up in network utilities

when i plug it in the amber light appears and sometimes blinks and/or sometimes steady. needless to say my desktop imac is not picking up its signal. what do i need to do to make it work or is it just not compatible with my new mac?

Your new iMac should not have any issues connecting to the 1st generation AirPort Express Base Station (AX).
When having difficulties accessing the AirPort thru the AirPort Utility, try the following, in order checking accessibility with the utility after each step:
Check the local connection. If you are trying to access the AirPort wirelessly, make sure that you are connected to its wireless network before running the AirPort Utility to administer it. If you are still unable to access it with the utility, temporarily connect your computer directly using an Ethernet cable to one of the base station's LAN ports.
Power cycle the base station. Remove the power adapter's plug from the power outlet, and then, wait 15 seconds before plugging it back in.
Perform a "factory default" reset on the base station.

How do I extend my existent airport extreme network by addition of a 2nd airport extreme?

How do I extend my existent Airport Extreme network by addition of a 2nd Airport Extreme?

Can you clarify which version of the AirPort Extreme that you have now along with the model that you plan to use as the second device?
The older "round" AirPort Exteme or the newer "square" version with rounded corners?
Are you planning to extend using wireless only.....or by connecting the AirPort Extremes using a wired Ethernet connection?

HT4259 How to pair a 1st generation airport base station

I'm trying to pair a old airport express base station and extend the network and it's telling me I can't with the software I have.

Let's make sure that you really do have a 1st Generation AirPort Express.
Please look on the side of the Express for the Model No. It starts with an "A" folllowed by four numbers.
A 1st Generation AirPort Express is A1264.
Is this what you see?

Is Airport Extreme a Worthwhile Upgrade Over 1st Generation Airport Express?

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