Customer Reviews
Apple AirPort Extreme Base Station w/Modem 
2007-06-13
I gave this product only 4 stars because of a couple of problems I had with the setup. First, even though my iBook recognized the APX, the software that came with the APX would not allow me to set it up to dial my ISP. It was frustrating because the APX recognized the iBook and vice versa but when I brought up the Admin Utility software that came with the APX, the wireless connection was not there so I couldn't configure the system. I finally went to the Apple website and posted my problem in one of the Help forums and luckily someone told me to try connecting the computer to the APX via an ethernet cable and doing the configuration that way. That worked fine and then I disconnected the ethernet cable and the WiFi worked great. A line or two in the instruction manual to let the user know of this possible glitch would have been helpful and saved a couple hours of frustration. Also, the manual is, in my opinion, inadequate in explaining how to set up a dial-up connection with the APX. Since this is one of the few routers that come with a built in modem, I would think that many people buy it, as I did, for that feature. But the manual tells how to set up the connection with a DSL modem or a network connection, but just mentions the dial-up mode and really doesn't explain how to set it up. I'm a die hard Apple fan but I think they missed the boat on that one.
Having said all that, now that I have the APX configured, it works great. We have a dial-up connection so the APX dials the ISP for us and then provides the WiFi connection. My friend came by and he has a Windows computer but we configured it to work with the APX and it works fine as well.
Apple does it again.... 
2007-05-24
What can I say....easy to set up, easy to operate, rarely a problem. My only minor complaint is that on rare occasions my laptop will fail to establish a connection, even when I know I am in range and both laptop and airport are properly set up. It happens about once a month, so not really a significant problem.
I pity the computer owner who does not have a mac....
It works! 2007-03-11
Two minor issues, but I gave 5 stars anyway. I decided to go with the Airport Extreme Base Station mostly because I have three Macs at home. (I work with Windows machines all day, and eight hours of frustration is enough!) Here's my set-up: I have a G4 PowerMac, 1.42 dual, that I use for recording music and an older G4 that I use for the business-end of the studio (word processing, database, scheduling, etc.). These computers are in a building that's about eight feet from the house. Also in the studio is a Espon Stylus Photo R800 printer. In the house we have a PowerBook G4 that we mostly use sitting on the couch upstairs.
I set up the Airport in the studio. It is connected via ethernet to the modem supplied by Comcast. The music computer is connected to the Airport also via an ethernet cable, and the printer is connected via USB.
I took the Airport out of the box, hooked it up, and used the Airport Set-up Assistant on the PowerBook to configure everything. The network started working almost immediately. All three computers connected to the network with no problems: two of them wirelessly and the other through the ethernet cable. I was able to share files among and print from all three computers. After three hours of trying, however, I still wasn't connected to the internet. Finally I called Comcast. They said they couldn't help with 3rd party hardware issues, but before the guy hung up, he suggested that I reset the modem by unplugging and plugging it back in. That fixed it.
The two issues I've had are: The two wireless computers don't automatically connect to the network after a restart or sleep mode. I have to go to system preferences>network, etc. I've read the manual and done searches, but so far I haven't figured out a solution. I still consider it minor because, even though I have to manually connect, it still takes less time than it did back in the days when I had dial-up. The other issue is that occasionally the wireless signal to the PowerBook upstairs falls to one bar or drops out altogether. This happens about once in every 4 hours of use. Usually the signal is at 3 or 4 bars (out of 4). I have friends who have told me I should be happy with this performance. As I'm writing this, I'm sitting about 40 feet, two walls, and one floor away from the Airport and I'm seeing 4 bars. Someone suggested to not go with the "Automatic" setting for channel select. I started trying the channels one by one and channel 5 far outperforms the first 4. I haven't even tried 6 through 11 yet.
2.5 years of experience and a lower price unless you need 'n' this is it. 2007-03-08
I've had one of these units for 2.5 years. It connects a G5 imac, a Windows 98SE and a Sony PlayStaion 2 to the internet. All at the same time, keeping all the balls in the air. The user interface is classic Apple, it just works. The airport has a built in firewall. I have not had a single attack on the unprotected Windows machine. Maybe luck, maybe a good firewall. This is the only device I know of that will allow you to set up a wireless network with dial-up, as it has a built in modem. I used that for a few months and it works very well. Now that the new airport is out, the price has come down on this unit. Unless you need the new 'n' type this is a good choice. The only down side is that I am forced to use WEP 128 bit security on the mac because the windows machine does not support anything more advanced. Another big plus is that the airport is not an eyesore. Neither does it look like it is trying to get on a starwars set. I've had no problems with range. The Windows machine is 50 feet from the airport with several walls and obsructions. Maintains 100% link quality most of the time.
No range 
2006-11-10
I love Apple products, but this thing has no range. We can not use a wireless laptop 5 feet form the station. We are thinking of dumping this for a linksys. If we could get someone at Linksys who knows how to use a Mac.
You want the "extreme Extreme," not merely the Extreme. (What's in a name? Answer: the letter "n") 2007-11-27
[I feel a bit like Richard Dreyfus in "Close Encounters." I had just reviewed "The Maharishi Effect" and consequently had the domes of Vedic City, Iowa in mind, which in turn led me to the now unfashionable dome of the "old" Airport Extreme. Less preposterous, in any case, than playing with my mashed potatoes.]
Amazon is still listing this as a new and current product. Moreover, it's 50 bucks cheaper than the other Airport Extreme base station and has more as well as higher consumer approval ratings. No wonder some Apple wi-fiers are so confused.
If you have purchased a new Apple laptop or desktop machine in the last six months, it comes with the 802.11n Wi-Fi adapter installed and ready for action--provided you match it up with a compatible wireless router. The one you're looking at is 802.11a, b, g protocol. It'll probably work fine with your new Mac, but you won't be realizing the benefits of the "Draft N" standard which the new Mac is all primed for. Hard to swallow, but you pretty much have to retire this Extreme base station and replace it with the costlier Airport "more" Extreme base station (802.11n). That little letter "n," according to Apple, expands band width sufficiently to assure five times the speed and three times the coverage of your old wireless connection. So best make sure your purchase of a new machine is "not for nothing"--pick up the right router (the squarish one, not this dome-shaped model).
Reality check re: Apple's claims: I can't say that I've noticed astonishing differences, though I'm definitely not losing as much signal strength when I wander to the opposite side of the house with my laptop. If you have an older machine and don't plan to update its firmware, the pictured Airport (less) Extreme will most likely do you just fine. For that matter, forget what I've just written: to be none the wiser is to be neither more nor less happy.
Very Handy for a Dial-Up User 2007-11-17
Like all things Apple, this unit wis very well thought out and complete. A must for a Dial-up user.
a good router, but too expensive 
2007-10-09
For starters, you shouldn't even be looking at this old B/G WiFi. It was a decent choice a few years ago, but there are better options now. Maybe if you find a really cheap refurb unit.
WiFi N mode (and also A mode if possible) is the future. I love my Macs and my iPod, but AirPort is not cost-competitive. Apple's N router is $179, whereas Belkin F5D8233-4 N Wireless Router is half that price with nearly the same features (slightly slower wired ports).
Buy this model instead of the new (2007) one! 2007-08-06
Two months ago I purchased the new Airport Extreme Base Station which came out in early 2007. ..... IT IS GOING BACK IN THE BOX AND I AM GOING BACK TO THIS MODEL. ..... The new model constantly drops my Internet connection, whereas this model consistently works. ..... TRULY, A REAL KEEPER!
It simply works 2007-07-17
I struggled with a Linksys router which never worked, then a D-Link router that I had to reboot several times a day. Then I bought the Airport extreme. It took me longer to read the couple of paragraphs in the instruction manual than it did to set it up! I was up and running in ~10 minutes, it connects flawlessly, and pages load way quicker than the Duh-Link router.
Avoid a headache and buy this router first. Apple products rock.
