Apple AirPort Express

Introduction

Given Apple's historical Mac OS-only focus, it's easy to forget that Apple was one of the first companies to jump into the consumer wireless networking market with its original 802.11b AirPort products. It was also among the first group of companies to join the draft-802.11g brigade when it introduced its AirPort Extreme line. But with the addition of its AirPort Express, Apple opted to support both Mac OS and Windows users from the start, and came up with an attractive product in looks, features and pricing.

My first impression of the Express was that it was more intended to be an accessory for iTunes junkies who wanted to listen to their digital tunes on something other than their computer. But while it handles those chores just fine, I found that it's a fine travel wireless router / AP in its own right and has even more tricks that it can do.