Questions & Answers for AirPort Express

Hi Joe,

Let me start by pointing out that Airpot Express does not currently support 802.11ac. This model supports 802.11a/b/g/n protocols. That being said, and to answer your question, yes you'll need a new computer the take advantage of 802.11ac. Not all new computers support ac yet though. For example, at the time of writing, the only Apple computers to have this capability are the new Mid 2013 MacBook Air.

Hope this helps,

Jared

• Answered by Jared M from Drummoyne
• Jun 16, 2013
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I'm sorry, but no, it is not. However, here's a DIY tip:

Get an Apple TV carrying case which is water proof. The AirPort Express and Apple TV are the same size and will fit in a carrying case. :D

• Answered by Payton S from Plano
• Jun 14, 2013
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Jane, I believe the reason you haven't received an answer yet is that the ideas behind your question are confused.

Yes, your iPad is arrives ready to work with wifi; however, your iPad requires an external wifi "network," composed of both a "modem" and a "router." A router is a switching device allowing more than one computer to access your modem at the same time. So, want really to do, Jane, is to add a router to your modem — not to your iMac.

With a router, your modem can share access with another device, such as your iPad (though not your iPhone, which uses something else, i.e., not a modem, to connect to the Web).

As a bonus, your new router will allow you to print wirelessly from your iMac -- though not from your iPad (unless you buy special software turning your iMac into a print server for your iPad, another topic altogether).

Apple offers three routers that might work for you. One is the AirPort Express. Another is the AirPort Extreme. And a third is the Time Capsule. (The Time Capsule also has a hard drive built right in to make backups from your iMac easier, and, if you ever swap out your iMac for a MacBook Air, you'll definitely appreciate that feature.)

But you'll definitely need to visit your local Genius Bar for personal guidance on the best choice from your three Apple options for your particular situation.

In my own case, for example, I use an AirPort Extreme router hooked directly to my cable modem, and use print server software to print wirelessly from my iPad. But that may not be the best way for you to go. Check your Genius Bar first!!

• Answered by Sandy U from Appling
• May 8, 2013
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This is a reply to Rick... I am sorry -- I have not been able to fix the problem. I'd spent a long time looking online before I posted my query, and one of the suggestions was that having WiFi that worked at both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz was the problem -- the idea was that sticking only to 2.4 GHz was the answer. Clearly that's not it. Other people have said that the only way to fix this is to hardwire (from the Airport Extreme) into the Airport Express. My understanding of what is happening is not sophisticated, but it seems that other WiFi signals in my neighborhood are causing the dropouts, although all of us have password-protected networks. The dropouts are worse in the evenings when more people are home. It also seems, sometimes, that connecting to a web page can cause a dropout. The next thing I'll try is buying a new Airport Express (so every component of my system is fully up to date), and if that does not work I guess I'll try hardwiring. --Scott

• Answered by Scott R from Champaign
• Apr 21, 2013
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