Apple Airport Express
The basics
Apple Airport Express Base Station is a wireless access point that measures 27.94 mm x 76.20 mm x 93.98 mm, and weighs187.11 grams. It features a DNS proxy, DHCP support, IPv6 support, Print server, Firewall protection, as well as MAC address. This access point makes use of L2TP, PPTP, IPSec, and PPPoE transport protocol.
The good
As Martin Luther King said: “I have a stream”. Or was that dream? Either way, the Airport Express doesn't just have a name that sounds like a Stansted terminal train - it's actually a nifty little, media streamer. See, music is just one of the strings to its streaming bow – it also works well with a USB printer. We hooked ours up and promptly started printing pictures of Steve Jobs (he's very photogenic) from the other side of the office. It's easy to use, too. You just plug it into a power socket, and it connects to your PC or Mac via speedy N-class Wi-Fi. Oh yes.
The bad
You HAVE to use Apple's iTunes software to stream music. Also, don't expect a remote – you control it through your computer. We also used it to extend our existing wireless network's range, which is a good point. So why's it here? Well, it makes the whole system less muso-friendly.
The bottom line
While the Airport Express has limitations (no remote, has to use iTunes, not the best music streamer around), it also has its merits (streams to USB printers, expands WI-Fi range, price). A decent all-rounder then.
User comments (6)
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David23 February 2010
This is excellent. The free Remote app for iPhone works really well with this. It uses wifi so works through walls, you can access your entire music collection from iTunes, and adjust volume etc. If you have more than one computer on the wifi network, you can access their music libraries too. If you travel, take Airport Express with you for an instant secure wifi network in your hotel room from the usual hotel ethernet cable. For £81 it's a bargain !
Report as inappropriateMatt30 March 2010
With the use of AirFoil software on the mac you can stream Spotify or any other audio source. Brilliant piece of kit, by plugging it just in range of your router you can extend the wifi to cover all floors and garden areas of most houses, I have set it up in 3 very different houses and it works brilliantly. If further distance is required or thick cottage walls the wifi problem combining ethernet over power devices works great. If just using it as specified by the Gadget show website, with an iphone you can control your itunes over the wifi, thus touch screen remote in your pocket.
Report as inappropriateStoresy20 May 2010
You don't HAVE to use itunes, you can download a plug-in for winamp that will support the Express, or, as the comment above states, buy airfoil which allows any music source on your computer to access it. Another plus is that the Express has its own sound card which improves the quality dramatically compared to most standard sound cards found in laptops.
Report as inappropriateSam 13 September 2010
Will it work if my laptop has an audio jack in for a set of speakers in one room with the AE working for speakers in another room????
Report as inappropriateJavier Mendoza14 September 2010
I used it to stream 6 channels DTS sound to a receiver using itunes and DTS Music CDs. it is wonderful!!
Report as inappropriateJames13 August 2011
These reviewers obviously don't understand this item. By using the free Remote App on iPad, iPhone or iPod from Apple this is a fantastic piece of kit allowing effectively your iTunes library on your device with all it's artwork but sound coming out of your hi-fi or whatever. Just buy it - it's brilliant...
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