The old AirPort Express had a modular power connector though, so you could just replace it with the cord from an Apple laptop power adapter. That's what I did with mine and it is much more convenient than plugging it directly into the wall.
Or use any ordinary C7 power cord. The nice-fitting Apple cord my laptop came with stays at my desk and a generic C7 cord lives in my backpack for use on the road.
It's also nice if you screw up and forget that part of the cord, it can be borrowed from many electronic devices.
Airport Extreme has GigE ethernet, this has 10/100.
I also suspect that the Airport Express, while having simultaneous dual band, is probably only 1x1:1 or maybe 2x2:2, 3x3:3 is unlikely (Airport Extreme territory).
If you could find this out it would be much appreciated. I was going to order one until you mentioned this.
I don't really need the gigabit ethernet as I already have a switch handling this, but if the extreme is faster with 3x3 then it would be worth the extra money.
Combining 11n dual band with 100 Base-T is freaking non-sense. Now if it had 1000 Base-T (Uplink at least) and PoE I'd be immediately down to replace my current WLAN router but so...
While most folks here would never bother building an 11n dual band network without gigabit LAN, the Express isn't meant to work for guys like us. It's a simple router that hooks up to the modem (DSL or CABLE) to provide a good, solid wireless connection for all the iDevices in a house. In that sense, it doesn't matter what the physical ports are, as this router's LAN is generally not meant to hook up to anything more than an AppleTV or smart TV.
For what you want, you'll have to shop around and spend quite a bit more.
The up and down speed of 100 for the port is more than enough for internet, even with multiple connections. (I'm not familiar with any popular providers with a true 100Mb+ connections). And if that is the case, then a $100 router probably isn't what you should be looking at.
Just add a really good gigabit switch to it and connect all the ethernet devices to the switch. Problem solved.
But I agree, it probably wouldn't be that much more for a 1000 base-t. Kind of a cheap shot if you ask me.
I have to say I am a fan of the old design, the technical advancements of the newer model do not outweigh the simple feature of the old design I care so much for: plug it in the wall and thats it. Not a single cable in sight. Very elegant and practical. And exactly this feature happens to be criticised here, I cant reproduce the akward port access or the falling off (european socket here, might provide a firmer grip?). Now you have a power cord and have to put the box somewhere on a shelf or desk.
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repoman27 - Monday, June 11, 2012 - link
The old AirPort Express had a modular power connector though, so you could just replace it with the cord from an Apple laptop power adapter. That's what I did with mine and it is much more convenient than plugging it directly into the wall.wolrah - Monday, June 11, 2012 - link
Or use any ordinary C7 power cord. The nice-fitting Apple cord my laptop came with stays at my desk and a generic C7 cord lives in my backpack for use on the road.It's also nice if you screw up and forget that part of the cord, it can be borrowed from many electronic devices.
repoman27 - Monday, June 11, 2012 - link
Good point. I happen to have a lot of perfectly good cords from failed power adapters due to Apple's complete disdain for proper strain relief.mabaty - Monday, June 11, 2012 - link
I wonder how it will compare to the Airport Extreme.Brian Klug - Monday, June 11, 2012 - link
Airport Extreme has GigE ethernet, this has 10/100.I also suspect that the Airport Express, while having simultaneous dual band, is probably only 1x1:1 or maybe 2x2:2, 3x3:3 is unlikely (Airport Extreme territory).
-Brian
Dug - Tuesday, June 12, 2012 - link
If you could find this out it would be much appreciated.I was going to order one until you mentioned this.
I don't really need the gigabit ethernet as I already have a switch handling this, but if the extreme is faster with 3x3 then it would be worth the extra money.
Nik4 - Thursday, June 21, 2012 - link
Looks like it is 2x2:2Source:
http://goo.gl/3DGYH
michael2k - Monday, June 11, 2012 - link
Replace the HDMI with USB+audio!Daniel Egger - Tuesday, June 12, 2012 - link
Combining 11n dual band with 100 Base-T is freaking non-sense. Now if it had 1000 Base-T (Uplink at least) and PoE I'd be immediately down to replace my current WLAN router but so...Paul Tarnowski - Tuesday, June 12, 2012 - link
While most folks here would never bother building an 11n dual band network without gigabit LAN, the Express isn't meant to work for guys like us. It's a simple router that hooks up to the modem (DSL or CABLE) to provide a good, solid wireless connection for all the iDevices in a house. In that sense, it doesn't matter what the physical ports are, as this router's LAN is generally not meant to hook up to anything more than an AppleTV or smart TV.For what you want, you'll have to shop around and spend quite a bit more.
Dug - Tuesday, June 12, 2012 - link
The up and down speed of 100 for the port is more than enough for internet, even with multiple connections. (I'm not familiar with any popular providers with a true 100Mb+ connections). And if that is the case, then a $100 router probably isn't what you should be looking at.Just add a really good gigabit switch to it and connect all the ethernet devices to the switch. Problem solved.
But I agree, it probably wouldn't be that much more for a 1000 base-t. Kind of a cheap shot if you ask me.
oginome - Thursday, June 14, 2012 - link
The previous one with 10 connections only.50 connections now, same as extreme.
mwohlgemuth - Monday, August 13, 2012 - link
I have to say I am a fan of the old design, the technical advancements of the newer model do not outweigh the simple feature of the old design I care so much for: plug it in the wall and thats it. Not a single cable in sight. Very elegant and practical.And exactly this feature happens to be criticised here, I cant reproduce the akward port access or the falling off (european socket here, might provide a firmer grip?).
Now you have a power cord and have to put the box somewhere on a shelf or desk.