Apple's gigabit / non-gigabit AirPort Extreme base stations compared

Considering that Apple has been known to release products without all the features, um, enabled out of the box, it seemed fair to question the (now previous) AirPort Extreme's inability to handle gigabit speeds. Apparently unable to shun curiosity, the investigatory folks over at ComputerWiz decided to break open both the gigabit and non-gigabit editions of the AirPort Extreme, and unfortunately for those hoping that their older iteration could be upgraded with a simple firmware patch, that doesn't look to be the case. After closer inspection, the non-gigabit model packed a Broadcom BCM5325 chip, which only contains "five full-duplex 10BASE-T/100BASE-TX Fast Ethernet transceivers," while the newest AE possesses a Broadcom BCM5395, which of course understands gigabit requirements just fine. Ah well, at least you can stop wishin', eh?

[scott @ Aug 19th 2007 9:12PM]

It's ok guys, it'd be easier to go pay 15 bucks for a gigabit router if it's that important to you...

[Nathan @ Aug 19th 2007 9:25PM]

do you mean gigabit switch? cause those can be bought for around $30 (for a cheap one)...

router on the other hand... you are looking at $120 for a feature poor gigabit wifi (draft n) router.

[scott @ Aug 19th 2007 10:55PM]

Sorry, you're right... switch

[derek @ Aug 19th 2007 11:27PM]

"Considering that Apple has been known to release products without all the features, um, enabled out of the box"

Wow, one time. Jeez

[Ben Englert @ Aug 20th 2007 12:15AM]

Wish they would build them with the Ubicom Streamengine chips instead, those really helped D-Link stop sucking.

[seth @ Aug 20th 2007 12:19AM]

I'm a pretty happy apple fan, however I do remember the days when my 17" powerbook's DVD burner could burn at 2x with an "unofficial" firmware patch, and my macbook pro could be updated to draft N with a 5 dollar firmware upgrade....

[The General @ Aug 20th 2007 11:22AM]

You mean $1.99?

[michas_pi @ Aug 20th 2007 1:38AM]

I wonder which one blends/runs Doom better...

[Eric Leung @ Aug 20th 2007 3:28AM]

personally, im sick of these comments popping up on any thing related to computers

dont you guys think its gettin a bit dry...

[michas_pi @ Aug 20th 2007 3:30AM]

If I stop saying this it will not stop the others who love this meme.

Forgive me, gods of the Internet.

[Jorge @ Aug 20th 2007 4:56AM]

hey michas-pi i bet your toilet can play doom too. You aim with you waste product. haha

[michas_pi @ Aug 20th 2007 8:34AM]

I suck at Toilet Doom; I'm always pissing on the walls and not in the bowl.

[macona @ Aug 20th 2007 12:27PM]

Eric, would you prefer:

I, for one, welcome out firmware crippling overlords.

[michas_pi @ Aug 20th 2007 5:49PM]

@macona: Oh man, the shit's gonna hit the fan now...

[Karan @ Aug 20th 2007 4:57AM]

But look! there's space for the chip right there!

[Hunterzyph @ Aug 20th 2007 1:00PM]

Wonder if it is still using the same wireless card.