AirPort Express (1st generation)
A travel-size router that plugged into the wall and played music.
Overview
AirPort Express packed an 802.11g base station into a white block with a fold-out power plug. It was small enough for a travel bag, so users could create a wireless network in a hotel room or conference space.
Its best-known feature was a combined analog and optical digital audio port. Using a function called AirTunes, iTunes could send music wirelessly from a computer to a stereo, long before AirPlay and Sonos-style streaming became ordinary.
A USB port shared a printer and an Ethernet port connected the unit to a modem. It could join an existing network as a wireless range extender through WDS, and it was easy to set up. The first generation stayed in production for eight years.
Why it mattered
Introduced wireless music streaming from iTunes, the idea that became AirPlay.
At a glance
- Announced
- June 7, 2004
- Released
- June 24, 2004
- Discontinued
- June 11, 2012
- Launch price
- $129
- Status
- Vintage
Highlights
- Plugs directly into a wall socket
- AirTunes streaming to stereo
- Optical digital and analog audio out
- USB printer sharing
- Works as a Wi-Fi range extender
Tech specs
Specifications as published at launch. Some values (like battery life) are manufacturer estimates.
Audio
- Audio
- Combined 3.5 mm analog and optical digital audio output (AirTunes)
Connectivity
- Wi-Fi
- 802.11g (54 Mbit/s), backward compatible with 802.11b
- Ethernet
- One 10/100 Ethernet port
- Ports
- USB (printer sharing), audio out
- Smart home
- Not applicable
Network
- Security
- WEP, WPA
Design
- Power
- Built-in power supply with fold-out plug
