Apple has begun shipping its AirPort Extreme Cards, 12-inch BTO PowerBooks, while other readers report receipt of iLife (International users in UK and Italy) and the (antenna and modem port version). Apple is showing a 3-5 day ship time on the AirPort Extreme BaseStation (with modem) and a 1-2 days for those without a modem and antenna port.

Meanwhile, MacNN reader Don DeBlasio provided some details on the AirPort Extreme BaseStation:

• white status LEDs
  
• the new software has some nice improvements, such as the ability to adjust transmission power and a simple interface mode
  
• once the basestation restarts after using the assistant, it takes about 20 secs. from the progress bar finishing and disappearing until the basestation becomes available
  
• improved performance with my PB G4/400 - didn't think it would help but the new basestation provides coverage in my home where I didn't have coverage with a graphite basestation
  
• the books says up to 4 basestations can connect wirelessly to a main basestation
  
• printing with my "old" airport card and the new basestation was simple... I just had to connect my Epson USB printer to the basestation and do the following: To find Rendezvous-enabled printers, open Print Center, click Add Printer, and choose Directory Services from the first pop-up menu and Rendezvous from the second
  

"Also, I ordered a Dr. Bott omni-directional antenna at the same time... they now say the antenna will ship in February... I'll likely cancel the order and buy a non-modem version basestation to fill in any remaining coverage areas and to print wirelessly in both locations. "

by MacNN Staff