Apple AirPort Express Review | 77 Data compared

The 2012 Apple AirPort Express (2nd Gen) review highlights a redesigned, compact, Apple TV-styled device featuring simultaneous dual-band 802.11n Wi-Fi for improved performance. Key pros include effortless setup via AirPort Utility, AirPlay music streaming via a 3.5mm jack, a USB port for printer sharing, and a dedicated Ethernet port for network extension. Cons include the lack of Gigabit Ethernet speeds, a USB port restricted to printing rather than hard drives, and 802.11n limitations compared to faster, modern standards. For more details, visit FedTech Magazine.

The Summer 2012 Apple AirPort Express redesign introduces a compact, Apple TV-like form factor with simultaneous dual-band 802.11n Wi-Fi and a second Ethernet port, improving its functionality as a router. Key advantages include easy setup via AirPort Utility, AirPlay support for wireless audio streaming, and a USB port for printer sharing. However, the device lacks Gigabit Ethernet, supports only up to 300Mbps speeds, and its USB port does not support external hard drives for network storage.

The 2012 Apple AirPort Express is characterized as a specialized, compact accessory rather than a high-performance primary router, offering an aesthetic design and seamless setup. While it excels as a wireless range extender and features "exceptional" AirPlay and AirPrint capabilities, it is limited by an lack of Gigabit Ethernet and 802.11ac support. Key pros include easy setup and excellent AirPlay/AirPrint functionality, while cons include a high price point and average performance as a main router, making it ideal for expanding existing networks rather than upgrading them.

The Apple AirPort Express (802.11n) is a compact, portable router that features easy setup via AirPort Utility, acts as a wireless print server, and supports AirPlay for streaming iTunes music to stereos via analog/optical ports. Despite supporting the "n" standard, it offers slow performance compared to its peers and struggles with distance, dropping from 66Mbps to 18.4Mbps at 60 meters. The unit lacks extra Ethernet ports for wired devices, and the USB port is limited strictly to printing, making it better suited for music streaming and travel than for high-speed, multi-user environments. CNET

The Stereophile review identifies the $129 Apple AirPort Express as a surprisingly capable, budget-friendly wireless audio streamer, featuring a 3.5mm jack with both analog and optical S/PDIF digital outputs. A significant advantage is its ability to act as a bit-perfect, wireless bridge for iTunes, enabling integration into high-end systems when using the digital output. While the internal DAC is sufficient for basic use, measurements revealed high jitter in the analog output, whereas the S/PDIF optical output delivered low, 258ps jitter performance, surpassing some dedicated PC soundcards. However, the device is largely restricted to streaming through iTunes, and its networking capabilities are limited compared to dedicated routers. It supports only 16-bit/44.1kHz audio, limiting its usefulness for high-resolution audio enthusiasts. Despite these limitations, the AirPort Express is highly recommended for its optical output functionality, offering impressive, cost-effective digital streaming performance.

The Apple AirPort Express (2nd Gen) is presented as a user-friendly, compact router designed for easy setup and integration into the Apple ecosystem, featuring a 3.5mm jack for AirPlay functionality. Its primary limitations, or "cons," include a lack of Gigabit Ethernet—capping speeds at 100 Mbps—and the absence of a USB port for external hard drives. Despite these constraints, it remains a suitable device for users seeking a simple Wi-Fi range extender or a dedicated AirPlay hub.

In his review of the 2012 AirPort Express, Terry White offers a mixed assessment of the redesigned device, praising its enhanced technical performance while criticizing the loss of its, formerly, compact form factor. Key improvements highlighted include simultaneous dual-band Wi-Fi support, increased capacity for 50 simultaneous connections, and a second Ethernet port for WAN/LAN functionality. However, the shift to a separate power cord instead of the original, integrated wall prongs is cited as a significant drawback for travelers. Despite these frustrations, White deems the $99 device a solid, fast-performing upgrade for those needing better, reliable wireless, though he suggests current 802.11n users have little reason to switch. Terry

The 2012 Apple AirPort Express is a compact, dual-band 802.11n Wi-Fi base station designed for easy setup and versatile functionality, including serving as a primary router, range extender, or wireless bridge. It features a WAN port, a single LAN port, a USB port for printer sharing, and a 3.5mm audio jack for AirPlay, making it ideal for streaming audio to traditional speakers. Key pros of this device include simultaneous dual-band support on 2.4GHz and 5GHz to reduce interference and an exceptionally user-friendly configuration process via the AirPort Utility. Additionally, its compact "hockey puck" design is highlighted for being aesthetically pleasing and unobtrusive. Notable cons, however, include the use of 10/100 Ethernet ports rather than Gigabit, which caps wired speeds, and a limited single LAN port for wired devices. Furthermore, the USB port does not support hard drives, and the device is better suited to Apple-centric environments over Windows-heavy ones.

The Apple AirPort Express with AirTunes is a compact 802.11g wireless access point designed for portability, doubling as a digital music adapter that streams audio from a computer to speakers. It serves as a direct-to-wall plug-in travel router for creating Wi-Fi hotspots, featuring a 3.5mm analog/optical jack and a USB port for printer sharing. While praised for its, design and functionality, limitations include lack of a remote for music control, no support for WMA files, and the restriction of a single Ethernet port.

The Apple AirPort Express is characterized as a versatile, easy-to-configure 802.11n wireless hub, supporting up to 20 devices and serving as a portable, affordable alternative to the AirPort Extreme. Key advantages include its exceptional ease of setup and robust AirTunes functionality, which allows for high-quality wireless audio streaming via a 3.5mm analog/optical jack. However, the device presents a "gargantuan" three-pin wall-plug design that can obstruct neighboring outlets. Furthermore, while functional for basic networking, it lacks the advanced features, range, speed, and Gigabit Ethernet found in more robust routers. It also lacks external hard drive support for its USB port, limiting its utility for users requiring networked storage.

The Apple AirPort Express (Draft-N) is a compact, portable router designed for travel and as a specialized audio streaming bridge for iTunes, featuring a 3.5mm optical S/PDIF combo jack. It excels with a "plug" design for instant hotspots and seamless integration into Apple ecosystems, including support for protected content. Expert ReviewsKey pros highlighted by Expert Reviews include its hassle-free setup, portability for travel, and a USB port designed for wireless printer sharing. The management software is noted for being well-organized, featuring a built-in troubleshooting wizard to resolve connection issues efficiently. However, significant cons include the lack of LAN ports for wired connections and a USB port that does not support network storage. Furthermore, it lacks advanced features like QoS, requires proprietary software installation for configuration, and restricts audio streaming to iTunes without third-party software.

The 2012 Apple AirPort Express redesign introduces a compact, Apple TV-like form factor with simultaneous dual-band 802.11n support and a second Ethernet port for improved functionality. Pros include easy setup, strong signal strength, and excellent AirPlay audio streaming capabilities, making it ideal for small, modern networks. However, the device is restricted by 100 Mbps Ethernet ports and a USB port that only supports printing, lacking USB drive or Time Machine functionality.

In a 2012 review, Gizmodo dubbed the Apple AirPort Express a "near-flawless," $99, dual-band 802.11n router, featuring a minimalist white puck design reminiscent of a small Apple TV. The device was highlighted for its extreme ease of use and simultaneous 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz support, allowing for better handling of modern, faster devices. Key performance improvements included a roughly fourfold increase in file transfer speeds compared to the previous, wall-plug model, along with robust AirPlay functionality for wireless audio streaming. Despite the high speed, the review identified a "tragic flaw" in the device's limited wireless range, which failed to show significant improvement over its predecessor, making it unsuitable for large homes without extension. Furthermore, while the new aesthetic is considered an improvement by some, the change from an integrated plug to a separate power cord was noted as a minor drawback. Nevertheless, the 2012 AirPort Express was strongly recommended for its set-it-and-forget-it reliability and high-speed, close-range performance.

The 2012 Apple AirPort Express, reviewed by Pocket-lint, features a compact "puck" design resembling the Apple TV, prioritizing an unobtrusive aesthetic with a simple, matte finish. Setup is notably easy via iOS devices, and the unit serves as a functional hub supporting simultaneous dual-band (2.4GHz/5GHz) connectivity, AirPlay for audio streaming, and USB-based printing. While effective as a network repeater, the device lacks a built-in DSL modem, necessitating a separate, often less-attractive, modem unit, and offers limited diagnostic feedback via its single status light. Pocket-lint

The 2012 Apple AirPort Express is a stylish, compact device optimized for the Apple ecosystem, offering an intuitive setup process and exceptional AirPlay streaming performance, though it excels more as a network accessory than a primary router. Key benefits include its ability to act as a reliable wireless signal extender to eliminate dead spots and its USB port functionality, which enables wireless printing for iOS devices via AirPrint. However, the unit suffers from mediocre wireless speeds and range, lacks Gigabit Ethernet, and does not support USB storage, making it less suitable for heavy networking tasks. While a strong choice for expanding an existing network, its limited performance as a router makes it hard to justify for general high-speed needs.

The 2012 Apple AirPort Express features a compact, "puck-like" design with simultaneous dual-band support and a straightforward setup process, notes TechRadar. It excels at streaming audio via AirPlay and extending network range, but is limited by the lack of Gigabit Ethernet. Performance tests indicate average, rather than high-performance, transfer speeds compared to rivals. For more details, visit TechRadar.