Minimum system requirements: Microsoft Windows XP SP2 or
later, Apple MacOS X 10.4.8 or later
Width: 6.5 inches
Depth: 6.5 inches
Height: 1.3 inches
Weight: 3.09 pounds
About 802.11n
AirPort Extreme Base Station is compatible with the 802.11n draft
specification, the new, all-but-finalized (as of February, 2007)
standard for wireless networking, or Wi-Fi. Apple says their 802.11n is
up to five times faster than the currently ubiquitous 802.11g. It uses
three discreet antennas that not only double its range over previous
AirPort base stations, but allows up to 50 simultaneous connections.
Unless you're an office manager, school principal or a cafe owner, you
probably don't care about that much capacity. Still, it's nice to know
you can, say, telecommute over the Internet while someone else in your
household is streaming video without slowing each other down.
Thankfully, AirPort Extreme is backward compatible with 802.11a/b/g
devices. Apple does caution, however, that "speed and range will be
less if an 802.11a/b/g product joins the network."
And while setting up a Wi-Fi network in your home can often be a
confusing, frustrating experience, consumers have learned that Apple is
adept at painlessly guiding even novice users quickly through a set-up
process. Apple promises that their wizard will have you up, running,
and secure in the time it takes to brew a cup of coffee. It offers
WPA/WPA2 and 128-bit WEP encryption, as well as a built-in firewall,
which helps protect you from Internet intruders.
Sharing Features
One of the most interesting features of the new AirPort Extreme Base
Station is its ability to turn almost any external USB hard drive into
a network attached storage (NAS) device. Just plug the disk directly
into the AirPort Extreme Base Station's USB port, and it will be
accessible through the built-in file sharing capabilities of both
Windows and OS X. The AirPort Disk Utility software helps you set up
permissions and passwords, keeping the disk (or parts of it)
inaccessible from others on your network. You can similarly turn a
standard USB printer into a network printer. The AirPort Extreme Base
Station only has one USB port, but you will be able to plug both of
those devices and more in by using a separately sold USB hub. Like most
wireless routers, AirPort Extreme Base Station lets you create a list
of devices allowed to access your network. A new parental control
feature in this router, though, lets you lock out specific devices,
like a kid's computer, from connecting during certain hours of the day,
such as after bed-time.
What's in the Box
Apple MA073LL/A AirPort Extreme Base Station, AirPort Utility for Mac
and Windows, AirPort Disk Utility for Mac and Windows, 802.11n Enabler
for Mac, Bonjour for Windows, power cord, printed and electronic
documentation.
