CNET Editor's rating: 8.1 out of 10
Reviewed by
Allen Fear
Review date: 08/04/04
Release date: 07/01/04
The good: Windows and Apple compatible; works as a USB print server; streams digital music via iTunes; excellent performance; WDS capable.
The bad: No browser-based configuration; no SPI firewall; lacks configurable port filtering; no built-in interface for audio control.
The bottom line: This is among the best compact wireless-networking devices available.
We've seen wireless routers shed bulk over the last few years, but Apple's new AirPort Express has shrunk to a new low. And that's a good thing. The compact unit is slightly smaller than a deck of cards and includes a 10/100 Ethernet port, an integrated 802.11g access point, a USB print server, and a mini stereo jack that you can use to connect a sound system to your wireless network. Music streaming via the AirPort Express works only with iTunes, but this feature nonetheless adds an innovative twist to what is already a versatile networking device. The AirPort Express can also connect wirelessly to other AirPorts, which makes it easy for you to expand your wireless network without Ethernet cables or power-line gear to connect the devices. The unit lacks an SPI firewall, and you can't control specific networking ports with it, but for basic wireless networking, the AirPort Express offers a nice array of features at an affordable price.
8 out of 10 - Excellent Good, But Do Some Research, Not as tempermental as Squeezebox
I am running Windows XP Home and was able to connect AirTunes to my WRT54G after doing a lot of ...
I am running Windows XP Home and was able to connect AirTunes to my WRT54G after doing a lot of homework. I would recommend that anyone who wants to use this product do two things:
1. Make sure you have the most updated firmware that's out. I am using Sveasoft Satori 4.0, but it also works with HyperWRT.
2. Do a simple google search on AirTunes and WRT54G. You'll be able to find great set-up instructions and troubleshooting. Don't bother with the people at Linksys or Apple. They will keep you on the line forever and not really solve your problems
I have owned a Slim Devices Squeezebox and now AirTunes and I have to say I prefer iTunes. Squeezebox has more and better features for sure, but I have found Airtunes to be more reliable, and since is a wireless G device it won't slow down your network.
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by redstarny (see profile) -
March 11, 2005
3 out of 10 - Poor Crap for streaming music.
I was so excited to purchase this thing. My music library is stored on my laptop. I planned to use ...
I was so excited to purchase this thing. My music library is stored on my laptop. I planned to use my laptop to run my stereo. The problem, it continuously loses signal and pauses mid-song. The apple website helpgroups are full of complaints from PC and Mac users who have the same problem. If you want to stream anything or play music do not waste money on this thing. It's fine for simple internet browsing.
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by ddobesh (see profile) -
March 4, 2005
9 out of 10 - Spectacular Replaced my Belkin Pre-N
There's nothing wrong with Belkin, and the range is probably better than the Apple. However, the ease of setup, ...
There's nothing wrong with Belkin, and the range is probably better than the Apple. However, the ease of setup, ease of networking (including putting the printer on the network) and stability of Airport Express (in my opinion) makes it simply unbeatable. I have a mac-mini, an Apple Powerbook and a Dell Optiplex on the wirleess network...and all three work like a charm! Finally, I have to say this. Apple is REALLY winning me over with the quality and absolute simplicity of their products. They truly do make computing fun again!
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by Donperry (see profile) -
December 26, 2005
6 out of 6 users found this user opinion helpful.
9 out of 10 - Spectacular Excellent Product Does more than expected
Plugged in to router. Started up iBook and configured. No CD necessary - software included with OS X 10.3. ...
Plugged in to router. Started up iBook and configured. No CD necessary - software included with OS X 10.3. Other computers on router can use unit for iTunes with no configuration. Airport Express also functions as base station for wireless network.
I assume Apple doesn't fully describe the capability of this unit because it is so good it would cut into Airport Extreme Base Station sales which is much more expensive.
This is one of the most significant examples of Apple's design brilliance; even people like me who are confirmed Mac users are amazed at their creativity and innovation.
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by bartman1 (see profile) -
March 26, 2005
6 out of 6 users found this user opinion helpful.
8 out of 10 - Excellent Stylish solution to stream music around a house
I have two units, which I use to stream music from my main PC to my lounge stereo and to ...
I have two units, which I use to stream music from my main PC to my lounge stereo and to speakers in the kitchen. Setup was more painful than it should have been and was only achieved after a search of the support site, but once configured, they have been superb. I now have access to all my music in several rooms of the house at a very reasonable price.
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by lewis_wilson (see profile) -
May 23, 2005
5 out of 5 users found this user opinion helpful.
9 out of 10 - Spectacular Great Product!
This is a great product. It was my first Apple product. I have my music collection on my laptop and ...
This is a great product. It was my first Apple product. I have my music collection on my laptop and this works great to stream music to so it plays through my stereo. The setup directions aren't that great, but I found some on the Internet that worked great. Hopefully they will help someone else as much as they helped me:
1. Before you go wireless, physically connect your AirPort to your router with an Ethernet cable. Plug in the AirPort, and wait until the LED turns solid green.
2. Start the AirPort Admin Utility for Windows. You now want to configure the AirPort to join your existing network "wirelessly". You should see the AirPort Base Station appear with its IP address in the Base Station Chooser.
3. In the lower right-hand corner, click on Configure... Click on the AirPort tab. In the "AirPort Network" section, Use base station to: "Join an Existing Wireless Network". Underneath that, type in your existing wireless "Network Name". You will be asked to change the password as well.
4. Click "Update" in the lower right-hand corner of the Configure window. Your AirPort will be restarted, and the LED should turn solid green again.
5. Finally, disconnect the AirPort from your router, and remove the connecting cable. You should NOW be able to plug in your AirPort anywhere to join your existing network.
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by derekdg (see profile) -
April 6, 2005
5 out of 5 users found this user opinion helpful.
9 out of 10 - Spectacular Awesome once it's up and running....
I bought this product to not only stream iTunes to my stereo (rather than physically moving my laptop to the ...
I bought this product to not only stream iTunes to my stereo (rather than physically moving my laptop to the stereo and hooking up manually each time), and to provide a wireless internet connection. I'm no computer expert, and have had trouble setting up a wireless base station in the past. Keep in mind that I do not have a desktop with a wireless router, only a laptop with built in wireless. I searched the apple discussion boards for a while and found some great advice for setting this up for Windows. The key is to connect it directly from your laptop to the Airport Express using an ethernet cable. That way it will find the Airport through the cable and you can configure it using the Airport Admin tool and windows XP wireless network setup wizard. Once I got iTunes streaming, it was great. No skipping, quick connection, no different than when I would connect directly from the laptop to the stereo with an RCA cable from the headphone jack. Later, I decided to move my cable modem over to the stero area to connect it to the Airport for an internet connection. Based on experience I was expecting trouble, but once I plugged in my cable modem the connection was there, as fast as the previous direct connection. This is a great product, and if I can set it up with no computer networking skills then anyone can. I don't currently have a USB printer connected to it so I can't comment on how that works with the airport.
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by Donlonale (see profile) -
May 4, 2005
4 out of 5 users found this user opinion helpful.
1 out of 10 - Abysmal Does Not Work with Windows!
Tried to stream from two separate Windows XP machines. Apple Tech Supports final suggestion: Buy something else. Nice
Tried to stream from two separate Windows XP machines. Apple Tech Supports final suggestion: Buy something else. Nice
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by rpinkerton (see profile) -
March 27, 2005
10 out of 10 - Perfect Simplicity!
I would recommend this product to anyone. My 17" G4 Powerbook established a wireless connection in seconds and I did ...
I would recommend this product to anyone. My 17" G4 Powerbook established a wireless connection in seconds and I did not need to load the software.
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by JoeMadnesS (see profile) -
June 5, 2005
3 out of 3 users found this user opinion helpful.
3 out of 10 - Poor Airtunes Doesn't Work With a Wired PC
It's NOT an easy setup for novices if the whole network isn't wireless. A plain old scan from ...
It's NOT an easy setup for novices if the whole network isn't wireless. A plain old scan from the utility shows NO AirPort Express units anywhere. This unit is "see-able" by a wired PC only if you enter an IP address in the Admin utility.
Most importantly, though, I bought it so that I can run iTunes on my desktop and stream music to my stereo via the AirPort Express base station. My desktop and wired router and wireless access point (Linksys) is in my office, and my stereo (and the base station) is in the living room. Because the desktop PC does not have a wireless card, it does not detect AirTunes, even though you can configure the AirPort Express by specifying the IP address.
Perhaps this is because the Linksys WAP isn't WDS. Perhaps this is because the WAP and the desktop are plugged into a switch instead of an old-fashioned hub. Unsure. But the big deal here is that this simply does NOT work, and my setup is typical. Desktop PC in one room where stereo is in another, and you simply wanna stream your iTunes.
Does someone have a specific solution to this? I've tried EVERYTHING people have mentioned on a variety of sites, but am hitting brick walls!
Updated After adding a wireless NIC to my desktop, I have no problem using AirTunes initially. Occasionally (due to wireless conditions), it loses the signal, but that's not too often. A restart of the Linksys typically works, or rebooting. Sometimes a blue screen occurs, if I try to refresh the NIC settings within Windows. Still, this whole process should have been easier and cheaper.
1 x USB - 4 pin USB Type A,
1 x Audio - SPDIF output/line-out - Mini-phone stereo 3.5 mm,
1 x Network - Radio-Ethernet,
1 x Network - Ethernet 10Base-T/100Base-TX - RJ-45
Compatible Slots
None
Miscellaneous
Miscellaneous compliant standards
EN 301.489.1,
UL 60950,
CSA 22.2 No. 60950,
RSS-210,
EN 300.328,
AS/NZS 4771,
FCC Part 15,
FCC Class B certified
Power
Power Device
Power supply - Internal
Battery
Type
None
Software / System Requirements
Software type
Drivers & Utilities
Min Operating system
Apple MacOS X 10.2.7 or later,
Microsoft Windows 2000 / XP,
Apple MacOS X 10.3 or later
Environmental Parameters
Min operating temperature
32 ?F
Max operating temperature
95 ?F
Operating humidity range
20 - 90%
Max operating altitude
9840 ft
CNET Labs' Benchmarks
CNET Labs long-range tests (in Mbps)
11.1
CNET Labs maximum throughput tests (at 10 feet, in Mbps)
25
CNET Labs maximum throughput tests with mixed 802.11b/g and draft N, MIMO clients (at 10 feet, in Mbps)
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