Summary

Airport Base Station used to connect wireless-enabled computers to the Internet, each other, a wired Local Area Network (LAN), and other devices such as printers and music amplifiers.

This device represents the beginning of the wireless revolution in connecting computers and peripherals eliminating the use of connecting wires. The Airport Base Station, released by Apple in July 1999 incorporated the first commercial version of what has come to be known as the industry standard wireless connectivity solution, known as Wi-fi.

The Airport Base Station was discontinued in November 2001. This model, the first of a series, was known as the Graphite Airport Base Station because of its colour.

The Airport Base Station is a local area wireless networking system with a telephone, ethernet and power connection hub.

The innovative 'flying saucer' design included a network router with dialup modem and port for broadband modem connection to allow seamless integration with wired devices on the network. It shared a throughput of 11 Mbps among up to 10 users with a range of 50 m.

The Airport Base Station was released with the first iBook,which supported wireless connectivity, and which was intended to herald a transition to wireless capability for all Apple products. However, its support for all relevant internet protocols made it compatible cross platform and therefore the least expensive networking solution available for PCs as well.

The AirPort Base Station was released on 21 July 1999 at the Macworld Expo in New York City.

Part of a representative collection of hardware, software, trade literature and promotional material that documents the history of the Apple company, and its contribution to, and impact on the computer industry and society.

Physical Description

Circular domed plastic case with Apple logo and connection hob for telephone cable, Ethernet cable and power adaptor. No cables.

Significance

This device represents the beginning of the wireless revolution in connecting computers and peripherals eliminating the use of connecting wires. In 1999, Apple released the first commercial version of what has come to be known as the industry standard wireless connectivity solution, known as Wi-fi.

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