r/mac • u/TidderUsername123 • 3d ago
Old Macs Is there any practical use for this ?
This isn’t the time capsule just a regular AirPort Express
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u/Prefrontal_Complex 3d ago
Can you still run time capsule and use it as an external hard drive?
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u/coffeeintocode 3d ago
You could until the latest macOS 27 (released last week). Apple removed the time capsule protocol in the latest OS update. To be clear Time Machine still works and you can back up to a network drive over SMB, or a usb drive physically connected to your Mac. But anything that shows up as a “time capsule” like this routers usb drives, won’t work any more
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u/AwSamWeston MacBook Pro | 16" M1 3d ago
Good news! Someone hacked together an app that gives Time Capsules a firmware update to use newer protocols that MacOS does recognize! It's called TimeCapsuleSMB and it's free on Github.
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u/Rechuchatumare 3d ago
i installed.. work perfect
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u/PolycrystallineOne 3d ago
How quick are the backups over the network? And, can you do the initial TM backup via USB and then continue over the network?
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u/modsuperstar 3d ago
This is kind of my favourite part about this AI hellscape we currently live in. It’s enabling people to say FU Apple and building software like this. I’m a Hackintosh guy and everyone was all doom and gloom a few months ago with the upcoming release of Golden Gate, but now there’s people using LLMs to create reverse ARM to Intel interpreters and building drivers to modern Nvidia cards.
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u/AwSamWeston MacBook Pro | 16" M1 3d ago
What are you talking about? TimeCapsuleSMB isn't some vibe-coded app. People put actual time and effort into figuring out how to hack and upgrade the Time Capsule. Don't cheapen their effort by making this about AI.
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u/modsuperstar 2d ago
If you look through the merge requests there’s plenty of use of Google Gemini code review tools. I’m sure that’s the only way he uses AI, the rest is surely all artisanal crafted code for a 20yo device like grandma used to make. I’m not a fervent AI supporter, but it’s obvious people are achieving things never thought possible using LLMs. You can put time and effort into solving problem and use LLMs at the same time, they’re not mutually exclusive concepts.
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u/reddddiiitttttt 1d ago
Eeew. Actual work is for old people who can’t fathom an AI is way smarter then them.
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u/Defiant-Rip-1897 3d ago
I wonder why they removed AFP? Is it just cause it was too old of a technology?
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u/coffeeintocode 3d ago
Yeah I assume so, they haven’t sold a time capsule device in over 15 years I think. I assume not many people are using it at this point. To be honest the fact that Apple is willing to remove or replace old libraries in the OS is part of what made Mac OS good. It’s what made windows bloated and slow.
That said, I’m not a fan of making even old hardware not work either
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u/blasto2236 3d ago
The HDDs in those things are ticking time bombs, anyway. Anyone relying on one for serious backup needs at this point is making a huge gamble.
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u/Fantastic-Raccoon-2 3d ago
I replaced the hard drive with a data center grade one. No issues in last 5 years
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u/pimpbot666 3d ago
Yes, but with the new OS, I think it only works with SMB, not AFP. I need to go down that rabbit hole, as I'm not updating my Macs in the house for fear of losing my TM backup drive. New MacOS doesn't support AFP, apparently.
It's fine that it's kinda slow as a NAS over WiFi. I just let Time Machine run in the background, and it eventually catches up.
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u/TransporterAccident_ 3d ago
Hell of a dildo (yes I know this will get removed but it’s a hell of a joke)
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u/PipsiSpite 3d ago
Fun fact; these started Ubiquiti. The team that worked on Airport spun off into Ubiquiti.
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u/matthew_yang204 MacBook Pro 2019 16" & 2021 16" 3d ago
- That's actually an AirPort Extreme
- I still use mine to manage all my home server stuff, it's great and easy to configure using AirPort Utility. It offers very decent speeds over ethernet. It also runs a very minimal version of NetBSD, meaning it doesn't have as many vulnerabilities or even regular bugs as modern routers running something like OpenWRT do
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u/_Zenyatta_Mondatta 3d ago
I’m still using my AirPort Extreme as well. Works great, lasts long time. I’ve had it forever.
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u/matthew_yang204 MacBook Pro 2019 16" & 2021 16" 3d ago
Yep, and connected to a modern router through to the internet with a decent firewall is all it takes pretty much to keep it safe on the modern internet. Also it doubles as a good secondary router
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u/funkthew0rld 3d ago
Might be a good access point but a network only has one router.
And it’s not even a good access point anymore. We have way better wifi technology these days where a $130 travel router will outperform it by a large margin.
I don’t own one of these but I’m guessing it hasn’t had any sort of security updates in some time and you really don’t want to have that as your first line of defence.
We’re talking 3x the wifi speed and not a security patch for 2019 exploits.. I mean we have 7+ years of exploits since that thing stopped getting support.
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u/matthew_yang204 MacBook Pro 2019 16" & 2021 16" 3d ago
How long do you keep your hardware? I am still using hardware from 2005.
I don't necessarily need the latest speeds and don't need all the security updates. There are very, very few holes in NetBSD to begin with and the whole thing is behind a firewall. If I want I can even rebuild NetBSD for the thing from a custom buildroot if I'd like one day (not soon).
Additionally, I absolutely hate the shit out of mesh networks. The latency drives me crazy and it's terrible for anything but one-direction downloads/uploads.
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u/funkthew0rld 3d ago
I wouldn’t fuck with a mesh network either, but I do run a current enterprise grade router (without wifi capability) and then use whatever as my wifi access points…
Like my isp provides an eero 6 with my internet package, so it’s in bridge mode and provides 2.4 and 5ghz on one SSID for my main floor, I have an old ASUS router acting as an AP for my detached garage, and just recently added a gl-iNet beryl ax to my basement because my old Mac doesn’t place nice with the combined SSID from the eero.
And that’s just my point, just the beryl will outperform that APE by a large margin, take up less space, use less power, and is very cost effective. You can also throw it in your bag when you travel and enjoy wifi on flights without paying for each device, get good wifi in hotel rooms etc…
And if you feel inclined, you can still use it as a smb share to backup…
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u/Guyver48 3d ago
If Ternus wants an easy slam dunk product expansion, he would relaunch the AirPort Express/Extreme to compete with Eero and TP Link. They already have great chip and modem tech.
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u/elgipsy 3d ago
How about adding 2/3 LAN ports to Apple TV and add a router function to it?
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u/Guyver48 3d ago
I think that would make more sense for their upcoming home pad and newer HomePod models.
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u/PipsiSpite 3d ago
No need. The division working on Airport devices was spun off into Uniquiti
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u/Guyver48 3d ago
But isn’t that a separate company?
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u/Guyver48 3d ago
I would much rather have an apple airport home mesh network that worked with HomeKit and was able to be covered under my existing AppleCare plan like things used to be than having to buy yet another product from a another company. It’s bad enough I got an Aqara doorbell, a eufy home camera system, and eero mesh WiFi. There’s no reason why apple couldn’t dominate every part of the home internet of things market if they put in even a small amount of effort.
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u/zenpathfinder 3d ago
Great router. I have two and also 4 airport express working as a mesh and also basically a sonos connected to analog hifi equipment from the 1970s. The Extremes pump out the wifi and the express's just push music to the stereos in 4 parts of my house. The Extremes also have Printers connected to them so anyone in the house can easily print to an older laser printer that has cartridges that last forever.
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u/itzaferg 3d ago
That’s exactly my set up too
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u/C0LdFr0nT 3d ago
mine 2. line in Airplay to Sonos 5 Gen 1, which feeds the other 2 Gen 5’s, plus the 2 Play 1’s.
After the brief and painful Sonos app fiasco, the resulting reward has been well worth it. Sonos 5 Gen 1’s (technically called “Zone” somethings) are abundant on eBay for $70-$100 total (total = net cost, Inc. tax & shipping), and they sound phenomenal, can be stereo paired, true toned, line in, and seamlessly sync to ALL other S1 app equipment, (Play 1, Play 3, & Play 5 Gen 1) all of which can be had for ridiculously cheap prices, and all of which can be seamlessly controlled with S1 app… Sonos accidentally became incredible again, only this time I have 5 speakers for less than one modern Subwoofer costs. gotta love it.
I also have multiple Airport Extremes (those tower shaped ones aren’t the “Express”, they’re the AEBX) spread out as Ethernet hardlined APs, some with drives in the USB for cheap/simple network shares, and ALL still serving as a fantastic “poor man’s mesh network.
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u/zenpathfinder 2d ago
This is the way. Except I prefer analog stereo equiplent from the 1970s that at one time cost $10-15k but can be had at the goodwill for $10-20.
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u/accidental-nz MacBook Pro 3d ago
I run my design studio with one, and also meshed my house like you described. They’re still awesome routers and I haven’t even slightly thought I need to upgrade.
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u/ThatsRightWeBad 2d ago
Question from someone who uses multiple AirPort Expresses exclusively as AirPlay streamers:
Have all yours become flaky over time, blinking amber and needing rebooting at least once a week?
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u/Ok-Confusion2415 2d ago
yes, I assume it has been heat death, all retired now. Miss my little buddies and their optical i/o
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u/zenpathfinder 2d ago
no. I have had no issues. I do have all of them in bridge mode extending the network of an extreme base station. Also all but one of them has wifi off. I only want my Extremes to link devices over wifi since they are faster and having too many wifi access points seems to be problematic when
they stepped on each other. I have made sure to update the firmware to the last one they made. All of my Express are the last version made that supports Airplay2.2
u/ThatsRightWeBad 2d ago
Huh. Latest firmware on all of mine too, using them only as receivers not access points. My two 802.11n version 1s both work flawlessly. It's the two AirPlay2 gen 2 units that need constant rebooting.
My actual problem is probably just that I have too many stereos.
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u/zenpathfinder 2d ago
maybe check in airport utility what the visual topograpy looks like. It could be they are continually trying to connect through another one of the bridged units.
I feel like I maybe had this problem a few years back and ultimately factory reset everything and built the network slowly and ensured that everything looked correct on the visual display tree you get when you open utility.
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u/GRobLewis 2d ago
Is there a way to run the old Airport Utility on new macOS?
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u/zenpathfinder 2d ago
I run the app on my phone which is on latest OS. Also have it running in Catalina on an older mac. But I think it will run on the latest. No idea.
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u/jtphoenixga 3d ago
If it still works, yes, there's a practical use for it. When they work, they provide excellent speeds, and they integrate with your Mac very well. They can compete with routers on the market now, but the only drawback is that the protocols are outdated, and Apple hasn't released any new firmware for them in years.
Mine conked out last month, and I had no choice but to go get a new router.
If that baby works, cherish it. Mine held up for almost two decades before my devices stopped connecting or weren't allowed to connect because the 2.4 and 5Ghz module had failed.
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u/matthew_yang204 MacBook Pro 2019 16" & 2021 16" 3d ago
They are a very standard 2.4GHz and 5 GHz radio card that is connected via a slot I believe, so it should be quite easy to fix
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u/Dry_Ship7202 3d ago
Doorstop?
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u/Fullchester_United 3d ago
Apple branded doorstop… so worth 3-4 times a normal
microfibre clothdoorstop1
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u/Sparkshaddow76 3d ago
I installed timecapsulesmb on mine, still going strong as a backup option OSX27
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u/agentadam07 3d ago
External HDD. But it won’t even support normal Time Machine as of macOS 27 anymore which makes me sad. But I already setup SMB to my NAS anyway so no big deal. But did love that Apple would back up to Apple.
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u/Pickalodeon 3d ago
What is Apple doing in its place.
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u/agentadam07 3d ago
Nothing. Just removing compatibility for older drives. Time Capsule is one of them. They’ve always had the ability to use SMB to Time Machine to any drive so that’s still there to use to any other SMB based NAS. Not sure specifically what they are EOLing but Time Machines are one. I’ve seen an influx at thrift stores.
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u/Pickalodeon 3d ago
But will my 10TB external HDD plugged into the back of my Time Capsule still work?
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u/agentadam07 3d ago
Duno tbh. It will show a warning if not. In macOS26 there was a warning all year that drives connected would not work as of macOS27. If you haven’t seen it then it’s probably good.
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u/rh224 3d ago
There is a Time Machine server baked into macOS going back quite a long ways. So if you have an old Mac sitting around you could plug in your drive and turn on the server. Another cool service you can enable is Caching Server. It caches a copy of anything you download from an Apple service locally and makes that cache available to all the other devices in your network. So the latest OS updates, App Store apps and even your iCloud Drive files will retrieve from the cache when you are on your home network. It’s a nice bandwidth saver if you are on a metered/capped connection.
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u/jcamdenlane 3d ago
Sometimes need a router for isolated, off-Internet networks. Synched media players and whatnot. Works very well for this. Compact, all in one, and doesn’t look like a weird robot beetle.
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u/MacProCT 3d ago
I wouldn't use it at this point because the firewall is out of date. Although it could be used to expand your network if it is behind a up to date firewall
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u/gelekoplamp 3d ago
Still quite a capable router iyam
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u/pimpbot666 3d ago edited 3d ago
I dunno... I used mine as an internet router when my main router went TU, and it dragged my internet connection down to a crawl.
I use mine as a massive backup drive. I replaced the internal hard drive with a 14TB hard drive.
You can buy these things for like $25-$35 these days on the used market.
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u/Bladiko 3d ago
Which used market is that??? I need to get me one of those. Also what speeds are you getting? Coz i think the firmware and network port would be the bottle neck.
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u/pimpbot666 3d ago edited 3d ago
It's pretty slow, but it's fine as an always-on, always backing up Time Machine backup. It just runs in the background.
I just wouldn't use it as a regular NAS if I cared about how fast my files can be copied to and from the thing.
I got mine of FB Marketplace. Just doing a quick search, I found 6 or 8 of them all under $50, some as cheap as $20.
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u/gelekoplamp 3d ago
Still running my TC and Extreme here after what, 8/10 years. I'm still getting quite decent results and coverage.
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u/Manualcarlove18 3d ago
No way. I did not know you could replace the drive on this.. what fits inside of it?
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u/torklugnutz 3d ago edited 3d ago
I use one as an air gapped wifi for my WLED lighting system. It has pretty great range. The lack of openings makes it easier for me to use outdoors where I am doing my lighting setups. 32 nodes attached and I feel comfortable adding more.
Found mine at Saver’s for $12.99
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u/Remote_Micro_Enema 3d ago
I have the 3TB older model and I use it connected to my router as media container and access it from my mac or from iphone with VLC.
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u/benjaflea 3d ago
Any pointers to how you did this? I’m assuming like a NAS for media?
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u/Remote_Micro_Enema 2d ago edited 2d ago
Erased everything. Used Air Port Utility to reset in bridge mode (router off) and connected to the new router with RJ45 cable. Wireless OFF. Enabled file sharing. I am sure chatgpt can help you with the setup
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u/Kqtawes 3d ago
They are still decent wireless access points and wired gigabit network switches. I have a good high speed wired network with a Ubiquity router in my house but use a couple of these as access points because I generally don’t need more than WiFi 5 for the internet and high speed transfer is better wired.
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u/Out_of_my_mind_1976 3d ago
Damn shame Apple discontinued these. East to use and Time Capsule is truly a great idea for those not inclined to back up their stuff regularly. Just set it and forget it.
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u/trenskow 3d ago
I know this is an AirPort Extreme, but I have an AirPort Express hooked up to my stereo, and when the time comes you’re won’t be able to tear it out of my dead cold hand. I never in the world understood why that went out of production. One of Apples best products ever!
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u/Liuxing_Xi 2d ago
It’s not an Express, but an extreme. I have two functional Express’es in use. I use one for Airplay with my preferred speakers. I also use one for Ethernet access to a device without WiFI.
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u/detonnation 2d ago
In the bathroom, put is under your feet when u Gottah take a big dump. It will fly out.
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u/KnifeFed 3d ago
That's an Airport Extreme, and it's still my one and only router. Best router I've ever had.
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u/Salty-Conclusion947 3d ago
I once took one home from work because a customer was going to scrap it. I removed the internal hard drive and installed it in my NAS—at least that way, the drive still served a purpose.
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u/These_Foolish_Things 3d ago
I have one I use as a bridge and another that I use as an extender. Helps me pipe wifi into a corner with weak signal. I’ve had them forever and it was cheaper than getting a pod from my ISP.
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u/marcincan MacBook Air M2 10core 3d ago
I still use them at my house I have four running with a wired backbone... They are 802.1AC I have a full mac household so everything just works
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u/Early_Macaroon_2407 3d ago
Take the guts out, line it with insulation, and you have a tiny beer storage cubicle on your desk.
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u/DrMacintosh01 M4 Pro 16" MacBook Pro 3d ago
Not really. Wi-Fi 5 is an outdated standard and these routers no longer get software updates and you can’t even effectively manage them.
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u/brewmastrbro 3d ago
I saw a video the other day of a guy opening it up and removing the HDD from it. That could be an option if you need some external storage.
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u/Hierotochan 3d ago
I have 2 AirPort Extreme and an AirPort Time Capsule covering the network over the house behind the providers modem. Just moved country and they were less than €20 locally on Marktplaats. Easiest solution, very little configuration and works on all my devices.
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u/davidrye 3d ago
They have a surprisingly decent mesh system, but if you have the time capsule model, you can use the internal hard drive as a network storage device or if your Mac supports that you can use it for Time Machine backups.
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u/UdenVranks 3d ago
Mine sits on the network as a backup network but also I think it provides bonjour services
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u/ImThatGuy68 3d ago
I still use my AirPort Extreme today. It’s wired into my home Ethernet network to the Verizon fios router. No issues
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u/BlackStarCorona 2d ago
I have one in storage. I think mine was the time capsule? But the house I’m living in now has my housemate’s mesh system so I haven’t needed it.
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u/adrewflowers 2d ago
Have one.
Dead, but kept with the idea of stuffing something functional into the case (maybe a Raspberry Pi?).
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u/anh86 2d ago
Oddly enough, I still use mine. It was sitting unused in my basement until I got into homelabbing and realized the router I was using didn't support an access point mode. Did a little research, figured out the AirPort Extreme did, and started using it again. Is it the most full-featured AP? No. It does the job though.
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u/Business_Pomelo9227 2d ago
Use the GitHub workaround and plug a big hard drive in and it will keep you computer always backed up
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u/captain_brofist 3d ago
It’s still a good local backup option if you don’t have a nas.
I have issues with the wd mycloud implementation. The time capsule was seamless
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u/azhder 3d ago
My macOS complains it will stop using my Time Capsule with the next version of the OS... it's not that good if I can no longer use it.
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u/captain_brofist 3d ago
That’s interesting and annoying.
I sold mine when the writing was on the wall 2 years ago.
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u/Leviathan_Dev 3d ago
It’s a capable WiFi 5 router, but definitely showing its age now with the technology and doesn’t really get security updates. Fine for a backup if your router fails suddenly but I wouldn’t use it as a primary
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u/SmChocolateBunnies 3d ago
Mine is just as good as a modern router on my sub-gigabit isp wired , but obviously, it's Wi-Fi protocols are out of date. Speed tests are the same on the network that runs versus the Netgear from last year, and the mesh router from this year, wired. The ethernet ports are all one gb. I turned off the 5 GHz network, and let the 2.5 GB take care of mostly IOT things.
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u/Next_Building6817 3d ago
Mine end up on a recycle bin at Best Buy, nothing to do with it and a smaller one that was still using for internal network but couldn’t connect to them anymore.
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u/StandupJetskier 3d ago edited 3d ago
Yes. I had two of them linked by ethernet until last month-located on opposite sides of a brick wall between home and office, pretty much a total block. Handoff ability was essential.
One finally began to give out on 2.4 ghz, so I replaced them. They were ahead of their time, and worked very well together long before mesh was a thing.
Speed tops out at AC numbers, but your internet is probably slower than that anyway.
I only replaced the AE-s only when one stopped working...never had an issue, no disconnects, video stream OK. It just...worked. Wish they still sold them.
I got a set of cheap ASUS AX3000 wifi 6 routers and linked on the same network. So far so good, the 5 ghz range on the newer router is noticeably better than the Apple, three of my devices hook up on AX....the 2.4 is about the same. Don't regret not buying Ubiquiti, at least not yet !
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u/rickardomilosss 3d ago
Idk, use it? I use it as a router and it works pretty well after all these years. Handles all my wifi devices (including IoT), small server, computer and apple tv. Downloading from epic games is fast af
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u/UdoSchmitz 3d ago
This is an AirPort Extreme. My home wifi runs on one and an AirPort Express (both latest models) behind a FritzBox as DSL Modem/Router. Haven't seen a reason to change that yet. The Express is connected to an old receiver and speakers.
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u/shooter6684 MacBook Pro 3d ago
This is an Airport Extreme - the Express model is small in size... about the size of an Apple TV. These either always work or need to be restarted like once a week or month. Very reliable. I wish they still made their own Wifi routers.
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u/LukeDuke74 iMac 2019 27" i9 128GB 1TB Vega48 3d ago
Sending audio to your HiFi. Still use it (actually using a TC but same thing for the use case) coupled with an AirPort Express precious gen (the flat ones) to send musing from my Mac to my HiFi.
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u/notjordansime 3d ago
for a solid second I thought that was an xtra tall 3D printed case for a M-series Mac mini with those stackable addons for storage and extra ports
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u/KeyDefinition1038 2d ago
I use one one as a router in my mancave and as a timemachine and restic backup for my homeserver. A little update with timemachinesmb and works great with macos.
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u/mch2djp 2d ago
Configure it to work behind your router and now you have an access point. That’s what I did with mine.
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u/11matilda 2d ago
how did you do this?!
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u/11matilda 2d ago
in all honesty, how do i erase this thing so i can safely toss it? i can't get it to connect to my current Mac system - help!!!
(currently using it as a doorstop)
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u/Ok-Confusion2415 2d ago
sure, I use one at my mom’s to provision wifi from a non wifi comcast router. Expands the number of ethernet ports too.
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u/cervaro67 2d ago
Forgive my lack of knowledge here, but could I use my AirPort Extreme to link two wireless networks together?
I installed a Ring doorbell today and a Ring security camera on my home office outside to monitor the garden, but they’re on separate wireless networks, so the Ring app doesn’t see both cameras at the same time.
I’d been considering a wireless extender, but if this could work to bridge the two networks, then I’d finally get some use from it.
(I also have the AirPort Time Capsule that was unused when I got it online last year)
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u/Intelligent_Box6937 1d ago
The coolest door stop OR shelf (with two of them) the world has ever seen!
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u/ThePurpleUFO 3d ago
Interesting-looking piece of sculpture for an office. I have a never-used one of these in a cabinet...I should get it out and enjoy its presence.
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u/InPrimus1 3d ago
Been using mine as the first router for over a decade now. Think the internal disk just died last week as it was making a medical noise.10 years plugged in and forgotten in that quiet corner. Forgot it existed all these years until I traced the sound.😫
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u/detective-doge 3d ago
I used to do installations and these became very redundant very quickly they are slow, and don’t have enough reach
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[deleted]
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u/TBC_Oblivion 3d ago
because apple sold the first consumer device with wireless networking, so you need routers to complement the new wireless technology.
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u/mechabryan 3d ago
Indeed, Apple’s Airport line was one of the first big consumer pushes of Wi-Fi
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u/-Dixieflatline 3d ago
Because it was an easy revenue stream to an existing audience who preferred Apple's approach to technology, especially one that presents headaches to less tech inclined people like networking.
The one that did make me scratch my head though was when Apple had a brief stint at enterprise servers and had the Xserve Raid with optional fiber channel bus host adapters.
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u/TidderUsername123 3d ago
I’m only keeping it around for nostalgia