Although I’m not using anything wireless right now, Apple’s recently-announced Airport Express device looks pretty nifty. Not for the AirTunes feature though; I don’t even have a stereo system (my computers *are* my home audio system) so that’s just marketing fluff to me.
No, what really interests me is being able to have a wireless USB printer server. I’ve often considered getting a printer, but I’m running out of USB ports, a hub would make the wiring mess even worse, and I don’t really have anywhere to put it that’s convenient and near the rest of the computers. With just this device though, I could stick the printer anywhere.
It also acts as a WiFi-to-Ethernet bridge, which has two added bonuses. I could set up a whole second network around the printer and the Airport Express would take care of integrating it into the existing one. Plus, I could also take it on the road and use it as a mobile access point so that I can always roam with the laptop regardless of whether or not the person or place I’m visiting even has WiFi (as long as they’ve at least got an Ethernet port free, of course).
I suppose it would help if I actually get a wireless card first though…
Oo. Yeah. Ain’t it nifty as all hell? I just like it for the portable aspect; a router THAT small (yet full-featured) at such a price should be enough to wow anyone…
I’m not sure if it acts as a full router (with firewall, masquerading, etc.) or not. They probably still want you to buy the (much more expensive) base stations for that.
I got the impression when I read the product page that these beasties work the same as the full-sized AirPorts do. If I’m wrong, then their appeal to me personally declines about 60%.
Living in a small corner of a wee house makes anything insanely small (yet full featured) damned appealing. :-)
Airport Express works just like Airport Extreme. The Express is just missing an antenna hook-up, a modem, and a second network port.