Reviews for AirPort Extreme Base Station

When I decided to return this, I wasn't sure if I wanted to write a review. Sometimes my opinions are so marginal, they aren't helpful to others. However, I'm desperate for an 802.11n dual band AP, and would really like one that would work seamlessly with my existing setup (which includes a 4th Gen Airport Extreme).

After trying several other APs, which I also found unacceptable, I've started searching again. Not only are my needs increasing with a Roku, iPad, and several other devices looking for high throughput WiFi, several less-technical friends have started asking for advice on similar issues.

It didn't take long scanning reviews to find one titled, "Buzzing, Fizzing, Hissing, Clicking." That reviewer gave the AE 1 star, which I think is harsh, but the annoying noises definitely make this unusable in a quiet office. I have the 4th Gen AE (which supports both 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands, but not simultaneously), and that model is completely silent.

As I'm not able to trade noise for performance, I'm still looking for a good dual-band N AP. At this point, I'm considering waiting for a product based on the evolving (draft) 802.11ac standard.

Bought a Belkin N Dual band to try and wirelessly use time machine and to upgrade my WIFI speeds. Belkin was erratic and dropped packets about 5 out of every 250.
Pingtest just came back with an A grade only thing I changed was the router. Thank you apple for a great product and a supper simple setup.

I spent countless hours pulling my hair out trying to make other wireless routers work with my macbook pro. They would work for like 5 minutes then need to be reset, etc. It was a nightmare. So I decided to look for one that I was sure was going to work for me. I spent hours upon hours on the internet doing research and reading at least a thousand reviews for different ones. I am a college student, so I didn't want to spend even $100 on a router, but I decided that I would bite the bullet and get this one. (I was able to receive a little bit of a discount by ordering through the education store). And I am so glad I did! I plugged it in, created a network with my computer and life has been a breeze since! And my internet is the fastest I've ever had. Also, with other routers when I tried to print wirelessly it would take FOREVER. Now, everything prints immediately (and it was also the easiest to set up!) The airport extreme is amazing! Definitely worth the money!

Replacing my 4 year old 1st gen time capsule. I was not all that pleased with the time capsule because my whole network slows down every time it starts backing up.

Decided to just get the extreme base station this time. Speed difference is noticable over the time capsule. I have 2400 sq ft home, I now get a wireless throughout the house and in my backyard. Very pleased, and setup was a simple.

Although the airport extreme base station is simple to setup, it has some daunting draw backs. One crucial feature that is not offered in this firmware has been requested several times by many users and that is QoS. When using an apple router you will quickly realize that performing any task on a network that has three or more computers running on it is makes it nearly impossible to perform any task.

The idea is great, and this has potential to be a great product, however whom ever is programming the firmware for apple's networking products is severely limiting the potential of this product. Without these features, the price hardly makes this product worth while. I would suggest any other routing option, as its likely to save you more than half the cost of this product.

Worked correctly out of the box - easiest installation of any computer product I've ever had. Very fast. Handles all my peripherals, which include old Windows XP machines, Windows Vista machine, Blu-Ray, TIVO, and of course my Macbook. Had tried a Netgear N 600 but got so frustrated at trying to connect it I returned it. Did cost about twice as much as the Netgear - but this one works and uses Americans for tech support!

Long story short. This router ROCKS! Especially for online gaming! I have tried and tried and spent tons of money on high end routers. I got descent connections but over time the connection seemed to get stale or drop packets alot.

Today I bought the Extreme and got online with my buddys playing one on one bball and this time absolutely no lag!

Just be sure to follow instructions to setup xbox ip for open NAT.

Setting up and trouble shooting my second Airport Extreme, because the first one died, was as bad as setting up the first one. Apple help is minimal. After many hours of effort, it works, but not work as well as the first one. Signal frequently cuts out when listening to music on Airport Express. Next time I'm going to run good old fashioned wires around the house to connect music sources and outlets. I've had enough of these high tech time wasters.

I've had this base station for well over three years, maybe longer (lost track for how long really!) and I've nothing but good to say about this.
No issues with power cord / supply.
No issues with connectivity - to both the modem and to all my wireless devices (two iPod touches, one iPad, one iMac and one mac book), plus an Ethernet wired network printer (Samsung printer wired to base station, all devices print wireless to it). Additionally, I have Ethernet ports wired to my Samsung Blue-ray player and to my Samsung Plasma TV.
Set up was easy for me (I consider myself handy and somewhat a DIY) and any troubleshooting along the way easy.
I live in a large condo ~ 1700 sqft (concrete, re-bar etc) and the range is a bit of an issue, partly from where I have the base station - it is tucked up in a little cupboard above my television / entertainment system which is at one end of the unit. Getting a decent signal to the furthest room is a stretch.
I plan on upgrading to a time capsule eventually and will use this 2nd gen airport extreme as a relay station.
Overall, I have been very happy with this product. It has not let me down ever - it keeps us connected to the internet and to each other device with NO problems!

Much better than my previous net gear setup. Works well, especially in conjunction with AirPort Express. I have a mac mini, macbook pro and a pc all connected with two printers along with network hard drive. Worth the money