What do you need to know about the AirPort Extreme?

The AirPort Extreme is a residential gateway combining the functions of a router, network switch, wireless access point and NAS as well as varied other functions, and one of Apple’s former AirPort products. The latest model, the 6th generation, supports 802.11ac networking in addition to older standards. See More…

What was the first version of the AirPort Extreme?

The AirPort Extreme has gone through three distinct physical forms. The earliest models were packaged similar to the original AirPort Base Station, in a round housing known as the “flying saucer”. From 2007 to 2013 the Extreme was packaged in a rounded-rectangle white plastic housing, similar in layout and size to the Mac mini or earlier Apple TVs.

Is the AirPort Extreme still supported by Apple?

Apple will continue supporting the AirPort Extreme, however the company now provides a list of recommended features when consumers are searching for a new wireless router.

What kind of wifi does the AirPort Extreme use?

The 6th generation AirPort Extreme (and 5th generation AirPort Time Capsule) featured three-stream 802.11ac Wi-Fi technology with a maximum data rate of 1.3Gbit/s, which is nearly three times faster than 802.11n. Time Machine was now supported using an external USB hard drive connected to AirPort Extreme (802.11ac model only).

When was the firmware update for the AirPort Extreme?

On March 19, 2008, Apple released a firmware update for both models of the AirPort Extreme that, according to third-party reports, allowed AirPort Disks to be used in conjunction with Time Machine, similar to the functionality provided by AirPort Time Capsule.

What’s the Wan speed of the AirPort Extreme?

If the AirPort Extreme 802.11ac is set up as a DHCP and NAT router, then the WAN to LAN speed is going to be limited to about 300-400 Mbps. Check the disappointing results here: