

The Dream Machine is a semi-professional router that fits perfectly my home networking needs, but could also be used in business-like environments. But, while exploring Ubiquiti’s website, I stumbled upon the Unifi products line and became intrigued with the Dream Machine. At first, I was looking at Ubiquiti’s Amplifi product line because of it’s simplicity, the general design, the size and the integrated display showing current bandwidth consumption, something other manufacturers didn’t have. Ubiquiti Amplifi Wifi routerįinally, Ubiquiti was the next contender. I’m not into Amazon’s ecosystem so it wasn’t attractive to me. Orbi’s product includes a speaker and a microphone for Alexa support. According to Orbi’s App Store page, users do like the application which is a good indication. Next on the list was NetGear’s Orbi product line. Again, looking at the App Store, people don’t really like the Eero management application. There is nowhere I would put a beacon in my house to feed the Amazon machine. Amazon’s goals are well known: data gathering. Eero home Wifi App Store pageĪmazon’s Eero was also quickly eliminated. Just by looking at Google Wifi application on the App Store, we can see a lot of unhappy users. Secondly, Google’s applications are drab in general, uninspired and don’t adhere to Apple’s UI visual language prescription. First, I didn’t want to put a mass surveillance device in my home. On the list of potential replacement products were Google Wifi, Amazon Eero, Orbi and Ubiquiti Amplifi 2. The other goal is that I wanted to get more information from my internet usage 1. One of the goal for looking for an AirPort Extreme replacement was to fix a few dead zones in my house where I could hardly get a wifi signal. Selecting a replacement for AirPort Extreme I think there are a lot of people in the same situation as me, my hope is they find this article so it can help them make a better decision. Here is my story of replacing my Apple AirPort Extreme with a Ubiquiti’s Unifi Dream Machine. If a product could provide both, it would be my dream machine.
Apple airport replacement professional#
On the other side, as an IT professional for more than twenty-five years, I was looking for something with a rich management interface. As an avid Apple consumer, the design of my next router had to be paramount. I’ve been searching for a potential replacement for more than a year. Kirk McElhearn What the HomePod could have been Perhaps Apple has some plans for this in the future, but for now, Amazon has a huge advantage in the smart home market. They could have built their AirPort devices into a mesh wi-fi system, perhaps adding that capability to the HomePod as well, which could give more value to that device. With all the concerns about privacy and the exploitation of user data, this is an area where Apple could have taken a stance. Another more recent take on the subject can be found here: Why is Apple missing the Boat with Home Wifi?. I wrote about Apple’s absence of the home networking market many times ( Apple’s Biggest Mistake: No Home Networking Product, Amazon, Goole, Apple and Home Networks). The HomePod could have been the start of a new line that integrates a speaker, a router and a HomeKit hub, all in the same package. While the HomePod name implies something more than just a smart speaker, the reality is the HomePod is a smart-dump speaker with great sound. I don’t expect Apple to come back anytime soon. Instead of making the greatest routers on the market, Apple-designed and released the HomePod. I was in shock as a long time user of their AirPort products.

Apple AirPort ExtremeĪpple exited the home network market in 2018. Here is my experience replacing an AirPort Extreme with the Ubiquiti’s Unifi Dream Machine. After much research, contemplation, I finally made my choice. I’ve been looking at a replacement for my aging AirPort Extreme router ever since. Apple left the home networking market a few years ago.
