Apple Delivers AirPort Extreme 802.11g Wireless Networking

Apple today announced AirPort Extreme, the next generation of Wi-Fi wireless networking technology based on the new ultra-fast 802.11g standard. With speeds up to 54Mbps, AirPort Extreme delivers almost five times the data rate of today's 802.11b based products, yet is fully compatible with the millions of 802.11b Wi-Fi devices around the world. Starting at just £149 (inc VAT), the new AirPort Extreme Base Stations offer 54Mbps data rates for up to 50 users, wireless bridging to extend the range beyond just one base station, and USB printer sharing to allow multiple users to wirelessly share USB printers connected directly to the base station*.

“Apple was the first computer company to ship products based on 802.11b when it launched AirPort in 1999, kick-starting the entire Wi-Fi wirelessrevolution”, said Steve Jobs, Apple's CEO. “Today we're doing it again by launching AirPort Extreme, the next generation of wireless products based on 802.11g that runs at 54Mbps, yet is fully compatible with the millions of 802.11b Wi-Fi devices and Hot Spots around the world”.

AirPort Extreme, based on the new 802.11g wireless standard, operates at upto 54Mbps — up to five times faster than current Wi-Fi technology. AirPortExtreme works with the installed base of 802.11b devices, including publicHot Spots and Wi-Fi certified 802.11b Windows solutions. AirPort Extremecontinues to be the only wireless solution to support dial-up access toAmerica Online (currently US AOL version only)** and is also compatiblewith Cisco's LEAP security. With up to 50 users per base station, AirPortExtreme supports many more users than typical base stations.

AirPort Extreme provides the flexibility and power to service home, schooland institutional networking needs. In addition to increased speed, both ofthe AirPort Extreme Base Stations offer new features such as a USB port forlow-cost wireless USB printer sharing and a second 10/100BASE-T Ethernetport for connections to fast LANs and DSL or cable modems. Educationcampuses and other institutions can take advantage of new features such as asoftware placement utility for optimal base station location, a softwarepower control that lets administrators adjust the wireless network range tofit a specific area and optional range-extending omni-directional anddirectional antennae.

A new wireless bridging feature lets customers easily and inexpensivelyextend the range of a wired network by allowing one AirPort Extreme BaseStation on a LAN to “bridge” with up to four additional AirPort Extreme Base Stations, eliminating the need to pull additional cables underground and into buildings.

With Mac OS X version 10.2 and built-in support for 802.11g, it's never been easier to go wireless. AirPort Extreme with Apple's Rendezvous technology enables iChat among networked Macs and can also be used to automatically discover and deploy other Rendezvous-enabled devices on the network, such as printers, without complicated set up. AirPort Extreme offers the latest security features including built-in Firewall and 128-bit encryption. The new smaller and faster AirPort Extreme Card is designed specifically for theinternal card slot found in Apple's new PowerBook G4 notebooks alsoannounced today.

Pricing & Availability:

AirPort Extreme will be available from the end of January through the AppleStore and Apple Authorised Resellers, theAirPort Extreme solution includes the AirPort Extreme Card for a suggestedselling price of £79 (inc VAT) and the AirPort Extreme Base Station for asuggested selling price of £149 (inc VAT). The AirPort Extreme Base Station with a built-in 56K V.90 hardware modem and additional port for connecting a range-extending antenna has a suggested selling price of £189 (inc VAT).

Apple offers special prices on Macintosh computers for education customersthrough the Apple Store for Education or by calling an Apple education sales representative on 0208 218 1599. To download the latest Apple education price lists, go to102.p.syniva.es/ie/education/.

* Based on IEEE 802.11g draft specification. Data rates greater than 11Mbps require an AirPort Extreme Base Station, an AirPort Extreme Card and anAirPort Extreme-ready computer. To achieve maximum speed of 54Mbps, allusers must use AirPort Extreme Cards. Actual speed will vary based on range,connection rate and other factors. Wireless printing over USB requires MacOS X v10.2.3 or later and a compatible printer.

** Compatible with AOL 5.0 or later in the U.S. only.

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