Have you noticed? More and more people are getting laptops instead of desktops these days. More of your friends and family are switching to high-speed DSL or cable modem for their Internet connection. And because of this, more and more people want to sit on their couch or patio, and access the Internet from their swanky new laptops. It's time to go wireless, and Apple's newest wireless streamer may just be the piece for you.

It's called AirPort Express, from Apple, and after reviewing it extensively, I can say there are some very compelling reasons it should be on your short-list for creating a wireless network in your home or small office.

Don't let the small size fool you; this little white cube is packed with some very cool features, including:

1. You can connect the AirPort Express to your DSL or cable modem to create a wireless network for up to 10 computers (Macs or PCs).
2. Already have an existing wireless network? Then use the AirPort Express as a "bridge" to extend the range of your network.
3. Connect a printer to the USB port on the AirPort Express, and everyone on the network can share a single printer wirelessly.
4. But the coolest feature of the AirPort Express is AirTunes, which lets you wirelessly stream music from iTunes on your computer to your home stereo or powered speakers.

First Impressions
Apple makes even opening the box a pleasing experience. Removing the outer protective sleeve reveals the interior cardboard "booklet." One side of the booklet holds the AirPort Express, looking like a slightly over-grown iPod power supply, and the other side contains the Setup Guide and installation CD.

The glossy white plastic rectangle is actually quite small, measuring only 1-3/16"W x 3-3/4"H x 3"D. The bottom edge holds the unit's connections: Ethernet, USB, and a digital/analog mini-jack audio connection. The two-prong power plug, which folds into the brick for storage, also detaches when using the optional accessory kit. The outward edge contains a multi-color LED, for blinking the system status. This self-contained design is in stark contrast with other wireless hubs, which bristle with multiple antennas and flashing lights.

Installation
Just for kicks, I actually opened up and read the included Setup Guide manual. I usually start most installations by inserting the disc and running the installer, but my existing home wireless network, using the domelike Apple AirPort Extreme, has been running smoothly for quite some time now, and I didn't want to mess with a good thing. As many have experienced, a home wireless network is a wonderful thing, but sometimes requires a little extra coaxing to set up and get running.

I was looking for step-by-step set-up instructions, but after reading the first few pages of the Setup Guide, was still left slightly perplexed. It said to make the appropriate connections depending on my needs, plug in the AirPort Express unit into the wall, and then run the Setup Assistant included on the disc — but it didn't indicate when in the process I was supposed to install the necessary software.

Apple's optional Stereo Connection kit offers sleek Apple styling and a nice mixture of connection options. Of course, you can also use your own cables to make a connection.

To set up and take full advantage of AirPort Express, you'll need at least Mac OS X (Jaguar 10.3), or Microsoft Windows XP (Home or Professional). You'll also need a wireless 802.11g or 802.11b network (you can connect the AirPort Express to a wired Ethernet network too, of course). If you want to use AirTunes with either platform, you'll need the latest version of iTunes, version 4.6, which is included on the set-up disc. Having iTunes 4.6 and OS X on my Apple PowerBook G4, I slipped in the included software disc, which proceeded to install two pieces of software: a setup assistant/wizard that guides the initial installation, and Admin Utility.

Anxious to check out AirTunes, I plugged the AirPort Express into a wall socket, and connected a Monster Cable mini-to-RCA cable (from the optional AirPort Express Connection Kit — see photo at right) from the 1/8" mini-jack on the AirPort Express to the stereo inputs of my office/studio/game room stereo receiver. I then ran the installer from the CD, which loaded without a hitch.

After a quick computer restart, I opened iTunes, and there at the bottom of the window was a new drop-down menu. This menu lets you choose where you want to send the iTunes audio signal. The default is "Computer," which sends the audio to the computer's internal speakers; but you can send the iTunes audio to any AirPort Express unit that you have set up within your network. I clicked the drop-down and chose "Studio," the name I had selected for the AirPort Express I had just connected to the stereo receiver in my studio. If you add another AirPort Express to your network — say you add one to the stereo in the kitchen — you can select that from the drop-down box. However, AirTunes does not let you stream music to multiple AirPort Express stations throughout the house — you have to choose one.



Switching from the internal speakers to the AirPort Express took about two "Mississippis." And it worked! Music started playing from across the room. I first listened to James Taylor's "Don't Let Me Be Lonely Tonight" with the Michael Brecker Quartet. On this very revealing recording, I noticed no harshness in the piano or the brushed cymbals. I then chose Anthony Hamilton's "Coming From Where I'm From" to listen for adequate bass performance, and was not let down.

Adjustments made on the computer took about a half-second (half a Mississippi?) to be heard through the AirPort Express, which is within acceptable limits.

Satisfied with the performance of the laptop-to-AirPort Express wireless connection, I decided to use the AirPort Express to connect to and extend the coverage of my existing home AirPort Extreme network. Known as WDS, or Wireless Distribution System, this feature allows you to connect to an existing wireless network and use the AirPort Express as a wireless "repeater" (also called a "bridge") for the main wireless base station. This extends the overall range of your wireless network, and allows other computers on the wireless network to stream music via AirTunes.

Again, uncharacteristically delving into the owner's manual, I discovered that in the WDS mode, the AirPort Express does not support WPA wireless security. As my existing wireless network was using WPA security, I had to access the AirPort Setup Utility to set the security level to WEP — still very secure, but not quite as robust as WPA. After a few tweaks to the AirPort Setup Assistant, I set my main base station to allow the AirPort Express to join and extend the range of the network. After matching the security levels and passwords, the AirPort Express seamlessly joined the existing network. From the seclusion of my basement, my laptop now had a strong wireless signal, thanks to the extended range provided by the AirPort Express.

It does Windows too
The next day, I brought the AirPort Express to work to see if it was as easy to set up and use with my Dell laptop. The Setup Assistant and Admin Utility for XP on the included disc were amazingly similar to the Mac version, and ran without a hitch. This time, I hooked the AirPort Express up to an A/V system (Denon receiver, Polk RTi speakers) using a digital mini-jack optical cable (also included in Apple's Stereo Connection kit). Again, I was impressed with the quality of the sound.

I also discovered another nifty feature of the AirPort Express — the ability to store up to five different user profiles. Being small and self-contained (no external power bricks to haul around), the AirPort Express is extremely portable, and slips easily into a laptop bag. You can create one profile to work with your home network and stereo, set another profile for use at the office, and another profile for use in a hotel room while traveling, dorm room, etc. I can't think of another wireless hub on the market that is this easy to travel with — another reason why the AirPort Express is the perfect companion for a laptop user.

In conclusion
The AirPort Express does for wireless networking what the iPod did for digital music. It offers an elegant, portable solution with the features you need, and sneaks in a few more I didn't know I needed, but now can't live without. With more computers, printers, PDAs and consumer electronics components featuring wireless capabilities, now is definitely the time to create a wireless network in your home or small office. When you do, give the AirPort Express a very close look.

Pros:

• Built-in AirTunes lets you hear music through your stereo
• Elegant, extremely portable design
• Easy to set up
• Everyone on the network can share a single printer

Cons:

• Can not use WPA security in Wireless Distribution System ("bridge") mode
• Can only use AirTunes with iTunes (it'd be nice to be able to send audio from other programs, like PowerPoint, GarageBand, etc.)

Wireless Security When I first turned on the wireless feature of my laptop, I discovered at least two unsecured wireless networks in my neighborhood. And then it hit me — if I can see their network, then they can see my network. Even if you're not running a multi-billion dollar business out of your basement, it's a good idea to use some level of security for your wireless network. The AirPort Express supports several wireless security protocols: Hidden Network - The easiest way to keep your network private. The name of the network is not broadcast, making it invisible to scans, and only those that know the name of the network (and password) can join. WEP (Wireless Equivalent Privacy) - One of the older protocols, WEP uses either a 40-bit or 128-bit encryption. Passwords can be either ASCII or hexadecimal, which can lead to confusion or product incompatibility. WPA (Wi-Fi Protected Access) - This newer system features a more robust encryption algorithm. Older operating systems typically don't support WPA. There are two versions: WPA Personal is designed for home or small office use, and WPA Enterprise is designed for use with a RADIUS server for user authentication. MAC (Media Access Control) Filtering - Don't let the name fool you — this is not an Apple-specific protocol. This setting allows you to specify the MAC addresses (wireless card ID numbers) that are allowed to join the network.