markw

I ventured out to the Apple Store in Sherway Gardens but they were far too busy to notice me (and my bus transfer was running out).
Can the Airport Express allow me to have a wireless connection to my printer or external hard drive (both are USB). Do I need to run the Airport from my Cable Modem or can I just plug it in on the other side of my apt., hook up the printer and I'm printing wirelessly?
If I've got to run it through my Modem then I need another Ethernet cable and have to deal with the hassles of running a cable around my awkward shaped place.
I'm trying to find a way to get my printer off my Desk and out of the way without investing in a wireless one.
I don't want a network for multiple computers, just a way to print and maybe backup remotely.

Thanks

Mark

keebler27

if your network is wireless (sorry..can't tell, but i'm assuming it is), then you can easily put the express on the other side of the apt and print wirelessly from it. i don't think you can plug a usb hard drive in the express to backup. I think that's only the time capsule or airport extreme base station.

if the network is not wireless, then you do need to extend an ethernet cable from the modem to the express.

hope that helps.
Cheers,
keebler

markw

I don't have a network at all, just an ethernet cord from my cable modem which is on the floor by my desk. Sounds like AirPort Express won't be what I'm looking for, I guess I'll have to save up my pennies and see if there is such a thing as a printer that will run off Bluetooth or give up on it all together. I really don't have a clue what I'm talking about when it comes to wireless. I guess I should research wireless routers first before I get ahead of myself.
Thanks for your reply!

Mark

geoffnhb

so you dont have a wireless rouder?
if you get a cheap wireless rouder, then you can print from across your apartment.

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Dr_AL

If you want to hook up a hard drive, then you will require the Airport Extreme, or Time Capsule (as far as Apple products go, as there are other companies). The Airport Extreme can have either a printer or hard drive plugged into the USB port. If you get a USB hub then you can have multiple hard drives and a printer running at the same time, which is what I have.

The Time Capsule is basically the Airport Extreme with a hard drive inside of it, and it still have the USB port that will support more hard drives, and (or) a printer.

The Airport Express, does not support hard drives, so even if you were to have a USB hub on it, for a printer, and a hard drive, it will not recognize the hard drive.

Hope this helps a bit.

Rampant AV

I have two Airport Express'. This way I can extend my network or take it on the road with me, use a printer wherever, etc.

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Atroz

Does your computer have wireless? If so, then you can speak to the Airport Express wirelessly, even if your computer also has a wired connection to the Internet. You don't need a separate wireless router.

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infinity8

Dr_Al has it right on the money, if you interested in a router and want an Apple check out the link below. The extreme would be your best bet you could hook up a USB hub and enjoy hard-drive and printer wirelessly.

if you are interested in buying from Sig a little warning the sale persons know nothing about the products they sell.

SIG Electronic, Apple Hardware, Apple AirPort Extreme Base Station with Gigabit Ethernet MB053LL/A

tilt

MarkW, you can plug the Airport Express to your cable-modem using the Ethernet cable, and then connect your printer's USB cable to the Airport Express and print wirelessly. You can also connect your stereo to the audio-out of the Airport Express and listen to iTunes wirelessly. And by the way, you can browse wirelessly from anywhere in your house too.

Hope I have understood your question correctly and have answered it.

Cheers

*Edited to add: But if you need to plug in your external hard drive, the Airport Express is not enough, you need the Extreme at least.

infinity8

Here is the manuals for the Extreme and express.

http://manuals.info.apple.com/en/Air..._UserGuide.pdf

http://manuals.info.apple.com/en/Air...pGuide_5.1.pdf