| Apple AirPort Express with Air Tunes (M9470LL/A) |
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Model: M9470LL/A
Brand: Apple
Manufacturer: Apple Computer
Average Rating: 
(submit your review here)
Total Reviews: 299
Platforms: Windows
Operating system: Windows & Macintosh
Form factor: External
Hardware platform: PC
Data link protocol: IEEE 802.11b, IEEE 802.11g
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| Features: |
Enjoy your iTunes music library in virtually any room of your house
Share a single broadband Internet connection and USB printer without inconvenient and obtrusive cables
Create an instant wireless network on the go
Access an AirPort Express wireless network
Compatible with Windows XP or 2000; Mac OS X v10.2.7 or later |
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| Description: |
| Apple M9470LL/A AirPort Express Base Station - The AirPort Express is a very unique wireless base station. It fits in the palm of your hand, plugs directly into a wall outlet, and allows you to wirelessly connect to the Internet, print, and stream iTunes music to any room in your home. It does this via 3 bult-in ports. A WAN Ethernet port for your cable or DSL modem, a USB port for your printer, and an Audio port for your home stereo. Security - Built-in Firewall, Password Protection, Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA) Support, & 128-bit WEP Encryption Supports up to 10 users NOTE - Wireless printing over USB requires Mac OS X v10.2.7 or later or Windows XP or Windows 2000 and a compatible printer NOTE - AirPort Extreme and AirPort Express can extend the range only of an AirPort Extreme or AirPort Express wireless network |
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| User Reviews (299 total): |
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Another 5 Stars for Apple, May 1, 2005
By J. Holdridge (NYC)
Within 5 minutes from out of the box, I had this out and working. Range is great, and it was very easy to set up the security. Couldn't be a better product, does exactly what it is advertised for, and the 5 different sets of settings make it a truely mobile wireless base station, haven't seen a better one yet. I have used both Lynksys and D-Link and they do not come close to ease of use and quality.
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Easy, if you follow Scott P. Jones' steps....., April 28, 2005
By Nat4Mac (New Orleans, La. USofA)
Do yourself a favor and follow the steps written by Scott P. Jones :
"More Clear Windows Help, March 30, 2005
Reviewer: Scott P. Jones (Seattle, WA)"
I got set this way in 10 minutes!!!!
Now, setting up PRINTER was more of a challenge for me. I followed AirPort's Setup Guide on p.21. Point (6) tells you to fill in the port name, etc. Pay attention to "NOTE" and instead of 10.0.1.1 put in your Base Station's IP address (You can find that by going to: AirPort Admin Utility -->Base Station (highlighted)--> IP address (3rd line).
Then follow all the rest of the steps and you are all set!
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Once it was set up, the sound quality is amazing., April 25, 2005
By MisterDangerPants
I also had issues in setting up the Apple AirPort Express with Air Tunes, but actually benefited from the instructions posted here for Windows. Follow the instructions posted on October 8, 2004 by Mark R. Conway and you'll be fine. The only thing he doesn't mention is you have to know your wireless network name. Once I figured out how to get this, it was a snap.
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Can't do without it, April 22, 2005
By R. Anderson (Petoskey, MI USA)
I was just using an airport extreme base station, and was pretty happy with it. I did have some troubles at the exteme ends of my house (it's kinda large), or out on the deck. I happened to mention this to a friend of mine and he suggested the AirPort Express. I guess I didn't realize what it did. I don't know how I got along before.
This has extended my range to more then cover the house and yard. And we use it with a windows laptop for some work related things that have to use the windows OS (grrrrr). And it worked beautifully.
I couldn't recommend it highly enough. Get one!!!!!!
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Nice product, horrible manual and tech support, April 22, 2005
By bmw330i (Cary, NC United States)
Bought this for use with a pre-existing wireless setup. First off, the manual. It's awful. Wait, no, it's worse than awful. It's a complete and utter joke. If you buy this thing, be prepared for some frustration. And if you think calling Apple support will help, think again. The genius I got tried to help me set it up after I failed at it miserably for 2 hours and he ended the call by saying, "Well, I guess this won't work with Windows XP Service Pack 2. Please load that or else return the device." Real freakin' nice! And Apple fanboys spout all the time that Apple support is so superior to every other companys' support. Bull!
So I get off the phone with that "genius" and get on a Mac forum, where the folks there tell me that to connect this device to a pre-existing network, you must turn off the firewall. Where was that written in the manual? Nowhere. I turned it off and VOILA, it works. Why didn't the support monkey suggest this? Why did he blame it on Windows and then run the other way? Well Apple, that poor excuse for a support person and your ineptitude in writing a manual is what cost you 2 stars in my review.
As for the product itself, it functions very well. I haven't suffered any audio dropouts like others have. Just know that you'll need to run without the MS firewall on. I assume you'll need to shut the firewall off on the Mac if you want to use it on an Apple too. That's just ridiculous design. The sound quality is awesome. I haven't attached a printer, but I'll just assume that it will work. Although when you connect the AirPort Express as a member of a pre-existing network it stops being seen by my wireless card, so I doubt I'd even be able to see the printer. I'm just speculating though. I mainly bought this for the music, and for that it's working really well.
I recommend the product, but just know that you're in for a potentially nightmarish experience trying to get it to install, and don't expect help from the manual or from Apple tech support.
One thing that was killing me was when the admin utility was displaying my AirPort Express. The screen was blank, with nothing but a rescan button to look again. Little did I know that it can take a minute or two to find it. So after it comes up and you see nothing, the natural inclination is to close the tool and look for the problem. DOCUMENT THIS, APPLE!
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Very tough set-up; works great, now, April 11, 2005
By Timothy J. Roche (Chicago, IL)
This product does work quite well once going. Actually I am pretty thrilled with it. However, I did spend about nine hours trying to get it to work before it finally did.
Here's my set up: Windows XP with a SBC 2WIRE wireless Homeportal. Apparently, 2WIRE modems are notoriously onerous to get to jive with AirPort Express.
Since there are tons of threads on how to set up using Windows, I am writing here for the benefit of those who have followed these threads' instructions and still are having problems. BTW, I am using the AirPort for purposes of sending tunes to my stereo and not for the wireless network, which already exists. What I did not understand at first is that when entering my security code (i.e., firewall), that the 64-bit encryption my network uses is the same as the 40-bit WEP in the security drop-down box. That being said, the big problem getting the AirPort to work had to do with the fact that for whatever reason with 2WIRE it is necessary to put a $ in front of the ten digit code, otherwise it won't work -- at least with mine it didn't. So if you have a similiar set up, this might be helpful. I had to default-reset the AirPort about fifteen times (unplug; hold down button with a paperclip and plug into outlet while continuing to hold button until, after 20 secs. or so, it flashes green four times). Finally I called Apple Support (they were awesome) and they figured it out. Aside from adding the $, I had followed the other threads instructions exactly, and those instructions were correct. Anyhow, that's my story. And the moral is, if all else fails, call Apple. This AirPort is a thing of beauty.
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It just works, April 6, 2005
By eric_n_dfw (Euless, TX USA)
Seems like a broken record about Apple stuff, but it's true - "it just works"! No fuss, just plug it in and install the software on your laptop to configure it. The software is great.
Using it with an iBook G4 and a Dell laptop with an AT&T 802.11g PC-Card with 0 problems. Note: I'm not using the router features as I have an existing firewall/router already configured.
The AirTunes feature is a nice plus too.
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I just love it, April 2, 2005
By DMC (Colombia, bogota)
I bought the airport express last week, to do a wireless connection at my home with 3 pc n one laptop, and it works beautifully, I even bought linksys products for 2 computers that didn't had wireless adapter, and apple air port express works perfect, n make a excellent signal.
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Works for me with a little work, March 31, 2005
By spencer hammond (Oregon, USA)
I am a windows user and found the documentation a little lacking. There are many uses for this device but let me tell you how I am using it. I there wasn't really anything in the instructions for using it this way since everything seems geared toward being wireless.
Here's my setup.
I have a router with to desktop and a wireless router downstairs for roaming with a laptop. I have a whole house audio system in a closet. I decided to run an network cable from my router to the closet where the stereo equipment is. I plugged the airport express in and it automatically made a connection on the network. Using the configuration utility I looked through all the different settings and I believe on the last tab there was a setting for allowing ethernet connections or something to that effect. Now I installed itunes on all 3 computers. On one of the desktop pc's I loaded all my cd's into itunes and selected to share them with others on the network and also check the box for search for remote speakers. The cool thing is that there is a button on the itunes where I can select the airport express as the output. Now no matter what computer I'm on I can play my cd collection through the house speakers very simply. The combination of itunes and the airport express work flawlessly. I'm very impress with how quick the songs start up even over the network. The only thing I can't comment on is it's ability over wireless since I chose to wire mine. It's definately worth it.
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More Clear Windows Help, March 30, 2005
By Scott P. Jones (Seattle, WA)
Took 2+ hours to get this set-up as a "client" on my existing 802.11b network - awesome product once you jump through the hurdles!...
I read other folks advice, but none of them gave me a complete A-Z for connecting to an existing network using WinXP and 802.11b. Here's my instructions borrowing certain parts from other postings (thanks, btw!)...
1. Download and install the latest version of iTunes.
2. Physically connect your new AirPort Express to your wireless router with an Ethernet cable. Plug in the AirPort Express into the wall, and wait until the LED turns solid green (up to a few minutes).
3. Insert the CD-ROM that came with the product and run the Install program on your computer.
4. Once installed, start the "AirPort Admin Utility" for Windows. [Note: do NOT use the "AirPort Express Assistant" AT ALL as this software will lead to a dead end if you're trying to connect to your existing non-Apple AirPort Basestation network (eg; this tool doesn't work if you have Netgear, Linksys, Belkin, etc).]
5. Select your new Airport Express name in the Base Station Chooser list and then click "Configure" in the bottom right corner.
6. Click on the "AirPort" tab. In the "AirPort Network" section, select "Use base station to: Join an Existing Wireless Network".
7. Type in your existing wireless "Network Name" [note: if you don't know this, in WinXP go to "View Network Connections > View available wireless networks" and find the name of the wireless network you are using. Note this name and how it is spelled, as it is case sensitive = you have to enter it just like this in the AirPort set-up.]. If you have security on your wireless network, click "Security" and enter in the correct key(s), which you can get from your router's home page [note: find the IP address for this in your router's documentation].
8. Change the password to something you'll easily remember. It doesn't let you use the default "public" password.
9. Click on the "Music" tab at the top of the screen, and name your iTunes speaker system. For example, "Living Room".
10. Click "Update" in the lower right-hand corner. Your AirPort Express will be restarted, and the LED should turn solid green again after a few minutes.
11. Go to http://www.apple.com/airportexpress/ and download the latest firmware update for your AirPort Express (eg; AirPort Express Firmware 6.1.1 for Windows). Run this software to update the firmware. Once the installation is complete, your Airport Express will again restart and the LED will change to yellow then back to green after a few minutes.
12. Unplug the Ethernet cable and relocate the AirPort express where you'd like, plugging in your audio jack and plugging the unit back into the wall.
13. Turn on your audio receiver, make sure it's connected to the jack you just plugged into the Airport Express.
13. Open iTunes. In the bottom right, select your new Airport Express speaker name (eg; Living Room) as the speakers to use.
14. Select your song, press play, and there you have it.
15. Happy AirTuning...
Sure wish Apple would just grow up and post these instructions on their own Web site.
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After 8 hours of complications, the real fix was simple..., March 17, 2005
By Chester W. Johnson (Clearwater FL)
Let me start by saying that this is a fascinating product, and once you get it working the ability to stream itunes into any room will work flawlessly. You will be very pleased.
Now for the aggravation. I have a Windows desktop running XP plugged directly into an AT&T wireless router, and the router is plugged directly into my cable modem. I followed the directions provided by Apple and could NEVER get the Airport Express to find my wireless network. I read every forum article I could find that had me changing DNS or MAC addresses, setting up clients and servers and WDS things. I do know a little about computers, but this was approaching my limits. Nothing worked. If you buy this item and follow all directions and it still does not work, save yourself endless hours of aggravation by trying the following:
1) Perform a hard reset by unplugging the AX from AC, waiting 20 or so seconds, and then plugging it back in while depressing the recessed reset button for 10 or so seconds.
2) Connect your AX to your router via ethernet cable. After 20 or 30 seconds the light on the AX should turn green.
3) Start the airport admin utility program on a computer that you know works through the router. You should see that AX show up on the AX admin utility main page, along with its firmware version number. Go to apple.com/support and make sure that you have the most up to date firmware. If you do not, download the newest firmware for the AX and install it. While you are at it, make sure that your router has the most up to date firmware installed on it. If you had to install new firmware, do another hard reset for good measure.
4) From the airport admin utilities program (do not use the assistant!), select your new AX from the main screen, with your AX plugged in to the router via ethernet. Here is where I kept having problems, but as you will hopefully see, the answer is SIMPLE. Once you have selected the AX, go only to the "AIRPORT" tab. In the section marked IDENTITY, name your AX something that will not conflict with anything else on your network. Go down to AIRPORT NETWORK and select "JOIN EXISTING..." and then under that type the exact name of your wireless network (which will show up nowhere), and it is case sensitive. If you have security on your wireless network, click SECURITY and enter in the correct key(s), which you can get from your router's home page. Then click on the MUSIC tab at the top of the screen, and name your Itunes speaker system. Click UPDATE.
Your AX will restart itself, and with any luck its green light will turn solid. Magically, when you disconnect the ethernet cable it will STAY SOLID :-) :-) :-) And when you unplug the AX from the AC power to move it to its new location, the green light will once again show after several seconds of being plugged into AC.
The bottom line is that this is a great product and troubleshooting it on a Windows XP network was much much easier than I was led to believe. Do not use the "assistant", and only only only mess with the AIRPORT and MUSIC tabs. I haven't tried the print server thing yet, but eventually will.
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CHANGE YOUR LIFE!!!!!, March 9, 2005
By Stephen Kozle (Brighton, MI USA)
Like many couples, my wife and I enjoy listening to music in the house, but consider the constant changing of CDs a hassle. In addition, our toddler is fond of raiding the CD tower and scratching up all my discs. To eliminate that, I decided to rip all our music to a dedicated server and put the discs in storage.
I have a typical Windows wireless network in my home, consisting of a Belkin wireless router and USB antenna - pretty standard stuff. I wanted to play music from the PC in the basement to my stereo in the living room without running wires all over the house. Sound familiar yet?
So I went out and picked up an Airport.
- BAD ATTITUDE BEGINS -
I spent nearly SEVEN HOURS messing with the darn software. The instructions regarding Windows are abysmal and the admin software interface is no better. I almost gave up and smashed the little thing into bits.
Anyway I found a support forum on Apple's website that is filled with helpful hints from other Windows users. Following their sage advice, I finally got this little baby up and running.
- BAD ATTITUDE PART OVER -
WOW! Once it got going, it hasn't stopped for a second. As I said, we stream the music from a dedicated wireless music server in my basement, which I control remotely via the laptop in my kitchen. It's not as complicated as it sounds - my wife and kids use it with no problem. iTunes software is as good as it gets, and helps to make the whole process easy to use.
Now, about the sound quality... I was afraid the music would sound like a weak AM radio station. This is NOT the case at all! The music is played steadily in high definition without so much as a stutter across the network. I am extremely happy.
There are gadgets that are cool. Then there are gadgets that truly improve the quality of your life. The Apple Airport is one of the latter.
MY HIGHEST RECOMMENDATION!
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Does not work with 3rd party access points, March 6, 2005
By Karl J. Solie
This is great solution if you currently have no wireless network. But if you are trying to use this to extend your existing wireless network, like it says right on the box, it will not work. Per Apple using a 3rd party access point, i.e. a non-apple airport base station, is not a supported configuration.
I am a network engineer and a Cisco CCIE, and I have tried everything, I am very VERY disapointed in this product. I can't believe apple embraces an open OS like BSD under OS-X, and then offers this totally pripritary solution!
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Disappointing....product from Apple, March 4, 2005
By F. Tran
Couldn't set up from my Windows 2K laptop. Could see the SSID of the Airport Express but could never get pass it onto the internet. The Administration config utility never worked for me either. This is my first Apple product....and I was expecting simplicity and plug+play from Apple...but alas this was not to be. Maybe I had a defective one....tried a Netgear WGR101 Travel Router for $79, plugged it in, changed my SSID to match and was on the internet in 3 minutes. The Apple has an elegant compact all in one design, plus the power plug flips down for storage. The Netgear is tiny as well but comes with a separate plug-in pwr supply. The Apple for $129 vs $79 for the Netgear was too much of a value gap to swalllow. So for now I'll say Apple you're fired...Netgear you're hired!
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iTunes +benefits, March 2, 2005
By Matt Martinez (Oklahoma City, OK United States)
I originally wanted this for Christmas for the sole reason to play iTunes to my stereo in the living room. Once getting this, I soon realized that this device can be used for printing and wireless internet in addition to the iTunes! It comes with WPA encryption also which is a worlds difference in security versus 128-bit WEP encryption. My Linux/Windows XP friend came over and was impressed with the innovation of this product. It's definitely a show-off Mac item that is a powerhouse that is useful and advanced past the cookie-cutter apps and devices for PC machines.
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Convienent, Stylish, Love it, February 27, 2005
By Joey (Englewood, NJ USA)
Another winner from Apple. The Set up is easy, even on my PC you need no networking knowledge. The sound quality is as good as it is on my computer, the songs do not skip even if my connectivety goes from Very Good to low. The only thing is I wish they sold a remote with it. My Stero is in my living room and my computer is up in my office, so if I feel like changing a song I have to run to my room. Its not that big an issue though, it inspires me to make playlists, something I really didn't do before. Anyway I love this product. Apple is taking over all of my entertainment.
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Love it so much, I ended up buying another, February 25, 2005
By J. Frank (New York City)
Basically, I got this because there are three computers in my household and only one printer, and I got tired of finding ways to get files to that computer to print them out. And since two of the computers are Powerbook laptops with Airport cards, this seemed like a logical (and easy) soloution. Then I made a mistake of epic proportions: I hooked it up to the stereo in my living room to see how the music broadcasting portion of the device worked. BIIIGGG mistake as I fell in love with it so much I A) bought another one so that I could hook one up to the printer in the bedroom and another one for music in the living room and B) decided to transfer all 2000 of my CDs to a hard drive (thus freeing up an entire bookcase in a cramped New York apartment) and actually have them all catagorized via ITunes.
Only flaw I have noticed is that if you run a microwave in line of 'fire' the signal gets distorted or stops altogether. Otherwise, it's incredibly easy to set up and use.
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Play iTunes on your stereo from Windows XP, February 23, 2005
By WalnutCrunch (Canada)
I just got this unit and got it set up to play music from a WinXP computer on an existing wireless LAN in less than 10 minutes, thanks to some great instructions from another reviewer here.
From reading the negative reviews, it appears people expect this product to work wirelessly right away. Unless you have a completely unsecured network (no WEP/WPA security, broadcast SSID, etc), it will NOT be able to connect wirelessly to your LAN out-of-the-box. It has nothing to do with your operating system or brand of router. It also does not matter whether you are streaming music from a computer with a wireless card or if it has a wired connection to your router, they will both work.
Here are some tips on how to get it to join your network as a client to which you can stream music.
You have to set up the Airport Express properly for use on your wireless LAN. To do this, you must connect it to your LAN via ethernet cable (turn OFF MAC filtering on your router and make sure DHCP server is enabled). Then use the Airport Admin Utility to set your wireless settings. Things to set include:
- change it to client mode (join existing network)
- the network name (the SSID)
- the security settings for your network
- a password for future administration of the unit
- a name that this unit will be known as in iTunes
Press update to reboot the AE. Remove the ethernet cable and it will join your wireless LAN. Add its MAC address to the router's list and reenable MAC filtering if you use it.
If all is done properly, you will be able to see it in the remote speakers dropdown list in iTunes.
Even though its instructions leave a lot to be desired, the Airport Express' features and seamless integration with iTunes makes it an amazing product. The USB port will even charge your iPod or iPod shuffle. You can also get a remote control from Keyspan for it. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED for both Mac and PC networks!
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It should get 5 stars, but....., February 23, 2005
By Marchwind1949 (Reading, MA United States)
The Apple AirPort Express is an incredible piece of electronics that you can use with your music system! Not only is it small and elegant, but once you get it configured and running, you'll probably want to get more than one.
My only complaint is the poor instructions for those with Windows based wireless systems. Even Apple technical support was stumped and had to get back to me. Heaven help the poor soul who hasn't a clue about networks! Fortunately several reviewers here have easy to follow instructions, so read on to get them.
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Works Quite Well, February 21, 2005
By K. Ozbayrak
The indicator light on my Express still blinks in yellow but it does great receiving all the tunes from my Windows XP iTunes and transmitting them to our Bose Lifestyle Music System. I believe I have to plug in an ethernet connection or something to make the light go green, which I do not need. A minor design problem, which costs Apple the 5th star.
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