Apple AirPort Express review

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Verdict:

Review Date: 19 Oct 2004

Price when reviewed: inc VAT

Reviewed By: Tom Royal

Our Rating 4 stars out of 5

Review
Specs

Apple was one of the first companies to offer a wireless networking product for home use with its UFO-shaped AirPort.

The third generation AirPort, the AirPort Express, runs at 54Mbit/s and includes some extra features: the option to connect a printer via USB and share music via AirTunes.

AirTunes allows you to link a computer running iTunes with a remote AirPort. The AirPort Express has a dual-purpose audio connector (35mm audio plug and optical S/PDIF out) for connecting a hi-fi system or speakers. A computer running iTunes on the network can then select it as an output, which is useful if you want to play your MP3s through the living room stereo, for example.

Setting up the AirPort Express is simple, although we had to download a software update from Apple's website first. The AirPort Assistant walks you through the process of naming, starting and securing a wireless network, then works with Windows XP to configure your computer to match the settings you give the AirPort. If you want to connect only one computer to use AirTunes, though, it's even simpler. We simply pushed the reset button on the AirPort, connected our laptop to the network and started iTunes.

Sharing a USB printer is a little trickier, but by carefully following the manual we were able to set up an inkjet for wireless printing in under five minutes. The AirPort also has an Ethernet port for connecting to a network or broadband internet, so it can be used as a router for sharing the internet around your home.

The AirPort Express is a capable wireless router that's small, smart and simple to use. It is a little expensive, but if you want to use wireless printing or AirTunes it's well worth the extra few pounds.

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