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.

Similar Messages

  • 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.

  • 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

  • Should I buy airport express, extreme or time capsule?  I have my new Mac Pro. 2 iPhones, 2 iPads , and grandchildren who come with their devices.  I live in a two-level house.

    Should I buy airport express, extreme or time capsule?  I have my new Mac Pro. 2 iPhones, 2 iPads , and grandchildren who come with their devices.  I live in a two-level house.

    A Time Capsule is an AirPort Extreme with a built in hard drive to allow your Mac(s) to back up automatically, so it's a logical choice if you need a wireless router and back up capabilities for your Macs
    The AIrPort Extreme has a bit better antenna arrangement than an AirPort Express, so it would be a good choice for a two level house.
    Depending on the location of the "main" wireless router, you may find that you still need to add an extender or two in other parts of the house for full, fast wireless coverage. The AirPort Express is a good choice for this duty.
    To compare the 3 Apple devices, see this Apple support document:
           Compare Apple Wi-Fi base stations          AirPort Express    AirPort Extreme    Time Capsule    

  • 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.

  • 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

  • Advised to get an "extender" to be able to stream netflix, etc. through new digital tv.  Apple store told me to buy Airport Express and set up WDS.  Upon reading about WDS it stated cannot set up WDS with Airport Express 802.11n,

    I was advised I needed an "extender" to stream Netflix, etc. through my newly purchased digital TV.  Apple store advised me to buy Airport Express and choose WDS setting.  When reading instructions on how to set up WDS it states cannot set up WDS with an 802.11n airport express, which is what they told me to purchase.  How do I set up this Airport Express to extend my internet signal from my modem & airport to be able to stream internet capability to my TV?

    I was advised I needed an "extender" to stream Netflix, etc. through my newly purchased digital TV.  Apple store advised me to buy Airport Express and choose WDS setting.  When reading instructions on how to set up WDS it states cannot set up WDS with an 802.11n airport express, which is what they told me to purchase.  How do I set up this Airport Express to extend my internet signal from my modem & airport to be able to stream internet capability to my TV?

  • Is to good to buy Airport express

    Hi ,
    I am a student just graduated , now i am moving to a new place, is it good to buy airport express or to buy time capsule, i think i hardly need back up?
    so what do you suggest?

    I have to ask. Why do you think you don't need a backup? It really depends on your needs on which to buy. For the price difference I would buy Time Capsule as you get the wireless hard drive and a base station too.

  • Should i buy modem separately after buying airport express?

    Should i buy modem separately after buying airport express?

    It depends entirely upon the way you wish to connect to the Internet.
    First of all, an AirPort Express does not contain a modem.
    If you have access to the Internet through a direct LAN (Ethernet) connection, no separate modem is needed.
    If the Internet connection is through DSL (ADSL), your Internet service provider should supply a DSL modem (this modem may be combined with a router/switch). Ensure that the modem has an Ethernet port if you want to use it with an AirPort Express base station.
    For a cable (TV) Internet connection, the Internet service provider would supply a modem. Make sure that this modem has an Ethernet port if you wish to use an AirPort Express as a base station.
    For mobile broadband (3G or 4G) there are different solutions, such as a USB mobile broadband modem or a mobile broadband hotspot. A USB mobile broadband modem stick is for direct use with a computer (often with special software) and cannot be connected to the USB port of an AirPort Express. A mobile broadband hotspot converts the mobile broadband to local Wi-Fi, which can be received by a computer having Wi-Fi capabilities. In principle, an AirPort Express (n) could be configured to connect to a hotspot as well.
    Please post back with details about the intended setup, Internet service type, et cetera if you need additional information.
    Jan

  • I want to buy airport express, but i need to know if my sony smart tv can connect with it?, i want to buy airport express, but i need to know if my sony smart tv can connect with it?

    i want to buy airport express for my ipad and iphone, but i need to know if my sony smart tv and my sister's phone can connect with it?

    It would be difficult to guarentee that all wireless devices can connect to the AirPort Express Base Station (AX), so at best, your Sony Smart TV and your sister's phone SHOULD be able to connect ... as the AX is basically no different than any other manufacturers wireless router.

  • 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 (g), extreme (n), and airtunes

    I apologize if this has been answered elsewhere - I've read several threads here and on other support sites, and must admit I'm confused by what seems to be people's conflicting experiences of this set up.
    I have a new Time Capsule with airport extreme n. This is my base station. I also have an old airport express g, which had previously been my base station and was also my airtunes connection to my hi-fi speakers.
    I now want to connect my express g to the extreme n base station, so that I can continue to stream airtunes to my speakers.
    How do I do this, without compromising the signal strength to the extreme? (I want to use TimeMachine to back up, and so I need the connection to be at n speeds.)
    1 via WDS? if so, how to best do this?
    2 via "extend a wireless network"? again, if so, how to best do this?
    3 or is it better to buy a new airport express n (I gather that if both extreme and express are n, then I can use route #2 above very easily).
    I would be very grateful for expert advice!
    Thanks in advance.

    If you want to use a pure 802.11n network, you will need to connect the AirPort Express (AX) via Ethernet to the Time Capsule.
    If you connect the AX wirelessly to the Time Capsule you will be forced to use the slower 802.11g.
    If you use WDS that will further cut that bandwidth in half, so WDS is not recommended.

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