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The sleek, easy-to-use AirPort Extreme Base Station with simultaneous dual-band support is the perfect wireless access point for home, school, or small business. It offers fast, 802.11n Wi-Fi access for Mac computers, PCs, and Wi-Fi devices such as iPhone, iPod touch, and Apple TV.

• Brand: Apple
• Model: MC340LL/A
• Platform: Windows
• Format: CD
• Dimensions: 6.50″ h x 6.50″ w x 1.30″ l, 1.66 pounds

Features

• Simultaneous dual-band wireless base station supports 802.11b/g and 802.11n
• USB 2.0 port lets you connect and wirelessly share a hard drive and/or printer
• Three GigaBit Ethernet ports
• Guest networking for easy sharing of your internet connection with temporary guests
• Measures 6.5 x 6.5 x 1.3 inches; backed by a one-year warranty

Continues to be gold standard for easy wireless
This review is going to mention a number of products–because a wireless network is all about infrastructure and integration. I purchased the AirPort Extreme to pull a number of other devices together, so I hope shoppers considering it will find this kind of review useful.

Since 2001 I have used the original AirPort (graphite), the AirPort Extreme (2003) with modem, and a host of Netgear and Linksys wireless routers to set up 802.11x networks at work and at home. The latter work well in their applications, and this review is not intended to knock any of them.

Apple M8209LL/A AirPort Base Station
Apple M8799LL/A AirPort Extreme Base Station with Modem and Antenna Port

But at home, I’m not a masochist. I want my networking system to work with my gear, and I don’t want to spend hours setting it up and more hours dealing with changes to my system.

When we replaced our home theater system after an equipment meltdown (thankfully insured), I wanted to add a Logitech Squeezebox to the receiver, streaming music from a ReadyNAS Duo. The problem was that the older AirPort Extreme was in our office at one end of the house, and didn’t have the range to reach the family room where the Squeezebox receiver is located.

Netgear ReadyNAS Duo 2-Bay (Diskless) Desktop Network Storage RND2000
Logitech Squeezebox Duet WiFi Internet Radio

My first thought was to add an AirPort Express as an extender–plug it in at a suitable halfway point and allow it to extend the network. This was only half the solution, because the most recent AirPort Express is an 802.11N-centric device, and it proved to be nearly impossible to set up a stable Wireless Distribution System (WDS) with the older AirPort Extreme.

Apple Airport Express

The solution turned out to be recognizing that, gradually, all of the wireless devices in our home now support at least 802.11G, and our computers all support 802.11N. On AirPort devices that also support 802.11N, it turns out that Apple has developed a much simpler way to link AirPorts in an extended network.

The new AirPort Extreme arrived two days ago. Installation was classic Apple: open, remove plastic cling wrap, and plug in. Using AirPort Utility, I entered the new base station and network passwords, and needed to reset my cable modem to allow it to recognize the new MAC address it was feeding. (I should also note that AirPort Utility allowed me to view the settings of the OLD AirPort while I was setting up the NEW AirPort.) Installation took a grand total of 12 minutes, including slitting the packing tape on the shipping box.

The second step was setting up the AirPort Express. This involved setting a base station password, naming it, and then following the three step procedure in the Help menu for “Extending a Wireless Network.” The steps are: Click a checkbox in the AirPort Extreme’s settings to “Allow This Wireless Network To Be Extended,” choose a popup menu item in the AirPort Express’s settings to “Extend a wireless network”, and tell the AirPort Express which network it is extending along with password.

Once settings are saved, the network is extended. Using the 802.11N standard still involves a small hit in networking speed, but because of the greatly increased throughput it’s not as large a decrease as in earlier versions.

This kind of configuration would have involved multiple instances of changing IP addresses, network SSIDs, and finger-crossing with other routers. (Believe me, I’ve done it successfully, and I plan for a two-hour session, even with known configurations.)

With the AirPort Extreme and Express, it just happened. My Squeezebox is now happily streaming music to the receiver, TiVo is receiving streamed programs from Netflix with (almost) no rebuffering–a huge improvement–and both my spouse and I are happily living in the 21st Century!

TiVo TCD652160 HD Digital Video Recorder
TiVo AG0100 Wireless G USB Network Adapter for TiVo Series 2 and Series 3 DVRs

As I said at the top, I don’t want to spend hours tearing apart and troubleshooting my network at home–home is for relaxing and enjoying time with friends and family. The AirPort Extreme is ideal as one building block of that equation.

Network Moron Friendly
Ah jeez, what can I say. I can do most anything with a computer, Apple or PC, but when I try to configure a network, gremlins keep any of it from working. When my Netgear “lost its settings” spontaneously, they were kind enough at technical support to offer to fix it for me for 99 bucks. When I declined they offered up that I might go to their website for support tips. But I had spent too many hours when I first bought that router, I was done. So I purchased this router and it is just like other reviewers have said: plug it in, stick in the disk, answer a few simple questions, and it’s done. THIS is how consumers LIKE computers to work. Bemoan the higher price tag if you want, but I will pay a little extra for things that just do their dang job and don’t aggravate me NEEDLESLY!

Great Home Networking All-In-One Router, WiFi AP, NAS, & Print Server
Purchased from a military exchange.

BOTTOM LINE UP FRONT:

PROS:
-No integrated web server for modifying device settings (must use AirPort Utility)
-Manual Setup option includes all of the necessary tools to secure your network
-Integration of External Hard Drives via integrated USB Port is SUPER easy (just plug it in)
-Supports USB Hubs for more drives/printer sharing (I haven’t tried this)
-Supports Full US 101 Keyboard Character Set in Passwords/Pass Phrases
-Works great in a “Double NAT” network environment

CONS:
-Only three integrated “downstream” ethernet ports
-Only one status light for system health

EXCRUCIATING DETAILS:

NETWORKING:
I purchased this router to better secure my mixed-platform network and aid our family’s transition from WinXP to Mac. I ran the initial setup from a “Wired” PC and went immediately to the Manual Setup. Transition of all of my network devices from my older subnet to the new subnet was painless once I got over my own boneheaded mistakes. Throughput on the wireless side of my home network was increased significantly (as advertised) vs. my older Linksys Router. I’ve retained the older subnet to support some WiFi devices that can’t support the latest security protocols. Despite the Armageddon like proclamations about “Double NAT-ing” I’ve experienced absolutely no problems with our internet enabled devices accessing the internet.

AIR DISK:
For me this was mostly painless, but there are some limitations worth noting. AEBS does not support NTFS, however this is a non-issue (keep reading to see why). AEBS supports FAT32 and HFS+ (FAT32 is grossly inadequate for modern hard drive sizes and hard drive image archival).
PLEASE NOTE: If using an AirPort Extreme Base Station, even for a Windows environment, I recommend that you get a disk preformatted for HFS+ (Mac OS Extended). This will give you all of the advanced storage capabilities of a modern file system and the AEBS comes with software that will translate the HFS+ disk into FAT32 for your Windows PCs. SOME LEGACY SOFTWARE (in my case Ghost v9) will self-impose a 4GB file size limitation (part of the FAT32 specification), but Windows itself will roll with it.

TIME MACHINE WITH AIR DISK:
There is a procedure for enabling an AirDisk for use with Time Machine. It’s a NON-SUPPORTED/UNDOCUMENTED FEATURE
of the AEBS. The process is very simple and requires no advanced knowledge (just a normal ability to follow instructions). I won’t list the process here because this is a product review (“google” Time machine and AirPort Extreme). For me (once I followed the process) it’s working like a champ. However, don’t call Apple for help with this as it’s not officially supported.

OVERALL:
I think this is a great product for any networking environment that includes Macs. Windows adherents should also give this product a close look.

HEWLETT PACKARD COMPANY 50g Graphing Calculator, 12-Digit Pixel Display Description:

The ultimate graphing calculator for surveying, engineering, math and science professionals and students. 2,300 built-in functions. Powerful SD card slot allows you to format your card right in the calculator and expand memory. Choose RPN, textbook or algebraic entry and customize data with four font sizes and styles. Enhanced HP keypad with redefinable keyboard and menu keys for reduced keying errors. Calculate advanced expressions and view solutions in 2-D or 3-D graphical representation on high-contrast display. Global Product Type: Calculators-Graphing; Calculator Type: N/A; Calculator Style: N/A; Power Source(s): Battery.

• Color: SILVER
• Brand: Hewlett-Packard
• Platforms: Windows XP Professional, Windows XP Home Edition, Windows 2000
• Format: CD
• Number of items: 1
• Dimensions: 3.00″ h x 6.00″ w x 6.00″ l, 1.66 pounds

Features

• HP 50g Graphing Calculator
• Sold as 1 Each

Customer Reviews:

Review of HP-50g graphing calculator
Very powerful calculator. Dizzyingly powerful. Excellent display. Positive click buttons. If you’re doing basic algebra, trig, logs, it is very easy to use. I find that when doing more advanced functions, I’m always needing to reference something in the manual to get it done. Sometimes hard to find functions on the keypad, since there are as many as 4 labels per key. SD card works well, but causes about a 2 second delay every time you turn on the calculator, which can be a nuisance when you’re in a hurry. I like the very large RPN stack capability, as well as controllable font, where you can show more than just the 6 lines of the stack that it defaults to. Would recommend the 50g to anyone needing a lot of power. I’ve really only used the 50g in RPN mode, but it will do AOS also.

better than a TI-89
i have used both the TI-89 and this HP-50G and i prefer the HP. they both are to very different calculators, in how to use them. but once you get used to it. you can do many hard calculations quickly. my have part is when it come to Differential Equations. the HP can do all the LaPlace transforms while the TI can’t.

that said it isn’t something you can just unpack and start solving differential equations. but read the documentation and you can do just about anything. Laplace transform, finding particular and general solutions to differential equations. Eigen value stuff., partial fraction expansion, solve for variables, any type of integration. really is a great math tool. and like any good tool you need to learn the proper way to use it.

Too Frustrating, Horrible Documentation, Not Recommended
I am an engineer and purchased this calculator (based on amazon reviews) for graduate engineering courses. Several weeks into classes (many hours trying to figure out the functions) it was too difficult to understand quickly and I abandoned it for the semester. I used an hp calculator in undergrad engineering but the complicated new menu layout and the horrible documentation make an awful combination.

I have now spent more 40 hours trying to figure this calculator out and still consider myself confused. I find the examples in the manual poorly written and poorly indexed. Even basic functions are too complicated. Many examples just don’t work. For entering a 3×3 matrix I followed the example. There are actually two steps missing which you have to guess and find yourself. Someone should thoroughly test these first.

After feeling I was deceived I went back and looked at the amazon hp50 reviews carefully. In 20 of the 5 star reviews the reviewer only reviewed the hp50 product which now makes me suspicious. In addition, 15 other excellent reviews are from foreign countries in such simplistic and incorrect english that I wonder if they really saw, used, learned, or tried to program the hp50.

Even re-reading many of the other 4 and 5 star reviews that I think are genuine I noticed a lot of “however…” comments.

Before you buy here are some of my comments. Many are mentioned in other reviews but I give them here to justify my review number.

- Documentation is horrible (as mentioned in many other good and bad reviews)
-Way too frustrating to learn how to use the product
- Many functions are two strokes (shift+function) (like x2)
-888 page manual (4″ thick), colossal waste of paper, hardly any writing on each page
- Because the PDF manual is so big it is difficult to navigate
-Index alone is 25 pages, could be on 6-7 pages, too much flipping pages to find things
- ENTER key is now bottom right of calculator (further to travel to enter data)
-I don’t like the heavy leather case: clumsy and weighs almost as much as the hp50
-Its a nice case for opera glasses, but for a calculator it should be light and easy/fast to remove (its not)
- Case with calculator inside approaches 2 inches thick (is that necessary?)
- It has a weird magnetic case button that doesn’t seal on the first try, you have to push it around until the magnet connects properly every time you close it
- Navigation up,down,right,left buttons are hard to push, slow, and have a loud click
- Battery cover comes off when removing calculator from case, poorly made in China

On the positive side the unit itself seems sturdy not unlike my original hp. Keys are relatively solid. I haven’t experienced any mistaken or extra keystrokes as others have, but it is still new. Screen seems fine.

I’m stuck with it (almost 3 months so far) so maybe after another 3 months I’ll start to change my mind.

In summary, if you want to own a calculator for 3-6 months and still have no idea how it works, and if you like feeling stupid and frustrated, this is the calculator for you. You will be guessing how functions work and wasting a lot of time.

I equate the experience to learning a completely new programming language by myself with no help from anyone and little documentation. This should not be from HP.

It appears many satisfied hp50 users are people who already own the hp48 (which i did not), and with years of experience with that product the learning curve might be fine.

Save yourself the headache and carefully read the 5star/4star reviews. You will see that many have a “however…” section talking about the bad points. I wish i would have read them more carefully before I bought.

The product is too frustrating. Not recommended.

Apple iPod Bundle: Original USB Power Adapter Wall Charger + Original Earphones Headphones + Original USB Cable Adapter Compatible with any iPod/iphone Description:

Compatible with all Apple iPods and iPhones. Same as in the Apple store.

• Brand: Apple

Features

• Everything that you need for your iPod or iPhone.
• Original items. (Retail package not included)
• 1 x Original Apple USB Power Adapter (Wall charger) After recall version
• 1 x Original Apple iPod Headphones (White) Color. Newest Version.
• 1 x Original Apple USB Cable Adapter

Customer Reviews:

Original HP LaserJet 38A Black Print Cartridge in Retail Packaging – Dual Pack Description:

Bring out the best in your printer and your work – by using Hewlett-Packard printer accessories and supplies. They’re designed and manufactured to meet the same high standards as your Hewlett-Packard printer. They’ll work with your printer to deliver exceptional print quality and years of reliable performance.

• Brand: Hewlett-Packard
• Model: Q1338D
• Format: CD
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 2
• Dimensions: 13.00″ h x 15.50″ w x 15.50″ l, 12.05 pounds

Features

• Laser Toner Cartridge.
• Q1338D.
• Genuine Original.
• Hewlett Packard OEM.
• SOLD BY THE PK

Customer Reviews:

Quality product
Having used HP manufactured toner cartridges for over 15 years (I have an accounting practice with 3 HP printers), I have never had any problems with quality. The time or two I was talked into using an off brand or refilled cartridge, I was disappointed with the quality of printing, and that it ran out of toner quicker than I expected. HP products are definitely worth the extra money. It is nice to be able to purchase them at discounted prices on Amazon.