So, you’ve got an old Apple AirPort Extreme sitting on your shelf, that sleek white tower that once was the pinnacle of home Wi-Fi. You’re probably wondering, in 2025, is this thing still any good? Can it keep up with our ever-growing collection of smart devices, 4K streaming, & the constant demand for more speed & security?

It’s a great question, & the answer isn’t a simple yes or no. Honestly, it’s a bit of a mixed bag. Let's dive in & figure out if your trusty AirPort Extreme can still pull its weight or if it’s time to send it to that big tech drawer in the sky.

For basic, everyday internet use, the Apple AirPort Extreme can still get the job done. If you're just browsing the web, checking emails, & streaming a bit of Netflix on a couple of devices, you might not even notice a huge difference. It was a top-of-the-line router in its day, & that quality hardware hasn't just evaporated.

However, if you’re a "power user" with a house full of smart gadgets, multiple 4K streams going at once, & a need for the absolute fastest speeds your internet plan can provide, you're going to feel the limitations. The tech world has moved on, & the AirPort Extreme is, unfortunately, a relic of a simpler time.

Here’s where we run into the first major red flag. Apple officially discontinued the AirPort line in 2018, & the last firmware update for the AirPort Extreme was back in 2019. That’s a long time in the world of cybersecurity. New threats are constantly emerging, & without regular updates, your router becomes an increasingly vulnerable entry point to your home network.

One of the most talked-about vulnerabilities recently is a flaw nicknamed "AirBorne." This nasty bug could potentially allow hackers to take control of your network without you even clicking on a malicious link. It affects a wide range of devices, & because the AirPort Extreme is no longer supported, it's unlikely to ever get an official patch from Apple. This has even prompted some loyal users to start a petition, begging Apple for one last update to fix this issue, but honestly, I wouldn't hold my breath.

On top of that, the AirPort Extreme doesn't support WPA3, the latest & most secure Wi-Fi encryption standard. While many of your older devices might not support WPA3 either, it's quickly becoming the new baseline for a secure home network. Sticking with the older WPA2 standard isn't the end of the world, but it's like using a good-but-not-great lock on your front door when a much stronger one is available.

The final generation of the AirPort Extreme was a powerhouse in its time, boasting 802.11ac (now known as Wi-Fi 5) technology. This was a huge leap forward from the previous 802.11n standard & offered theoretical speeds of up to 1.3 Gbps. For a while, that was more than enough for most homes.

Fast forward to today, & we're living in a Wi-Fi 6 & even Wi-Fi 7 world. These newer standards aren't just about faster top speeds; they're designed to handle the congestion of a modern smart home with dozens of connected devices. Think of it like this: Wi-Fi 5 is a two-lane highway, while Wi-Fi 6 is a multi-lane superhighway with a super-efficient traffic management system. Both can get you where you're going, but one is going to be a lot smoother & faster, especially during rush hour.

If you have a gigabit internet plan, your AirPort Extreme is going to be a bottleneck. You’re paying for incredible speeds that your router simply can't deliver to your devices. Even when it was new, reviews showed that the AirPort Extreme was a bit slower than its competitors from brands like D-Link & ASUS. So, if you're a gamer, a 4K video editor, or just someone who can't stand buffering, you'll definitely want to upgrade.

So, does this mean your AirPort Extreme is just an expensive paperweight? Not at all! There’s a fantastic way to keep it in service & still get the benefits of a modern, secure network: use it as a wireless access point in "Bridge Mode."

Here's the idea: you buy a new, modern router with all the latest security features & Wi-Fi 6 goodness. This new router will be the "brain" of your network, handling all the important tasks like assigning IP addresses & protecting you from online threats. Then, you connect your AirPort Extreme to your new router with an Ethernet cable & configure it to be a simple access point.

In this setup, the AirPort Extreme’s job is just to broadcast a Wi-Fi signal. It's a great way to extend the reach of your network to a dead spot in your house, like a basement, a garage, or a backyard office. The AirPort Extreme's hardware is still pretty solid for this task, & you get the peace of mind of having a modern, secure router at the core of your network.

Setting this up is surprisingly easy with Apple’s AirPort Utility app. You basically just plug it in, let the app discover it, & it will pretty much configure itself to work as an access point. It's a great way to recycle old tech & get some extra value out of it.

It’s a bit of a sore subject for Apple fans, but the company seems to have no plans to jump back into the standalone router market. However, there are persistent rumors that Apple is working on new smart home devices, like a revamped HomePod or Apple TV, that could have a sophisticated Wi-Fi chip built-in. The idea is that these devices could act as a mesh Wi-Fi system, blanketing your home in a seamless, Apple-powered network. It's an exciting prospect, but for now, it's just a rumor.

Here's the bottom line: if you're a casual internet user with a small apartment & not a lot of connected devices, your old AirPort Extreme is probably still fine for now. Just make sure you're using a strong, unique password for your Wi-Fi.

However, for most people, the security risks & performance limitations are just too significant to ignore. The lack of security updates is a major concern, & if you have a fast internet plan, you're not getting what you're paying for.

Upgrading to a new router can be a bit of an investment, & if you’re looking for ways to save some cash to put towards new tech, you could consider some creative income streams. For instance, if you have an empty driveway or garage, you can rent it out on Prked. It's a pretty cool way to make some passive income from a space you're not even using. That extra cash could easily cover the cost of a new router in no time.

And when you do get that new router & other new gear, you might find yourself needing a bit of extra space to store your old electronics. Instead of cluttering up your home, you could use a service like Prked to find an affordable spot to store them, like someone's unused attic or basement. It's a great way to keep your old tech safe without tripping over it every day.

In the end, while the Apple AirPort Extreme was a legendary piece of kit, its time as a primary router has passed. But that doesn't mean it's useless. By repurposing it as a wireless access point, you can give it a new lease on life & get a few more years of service out of it.

Hope this was helpful in your decision-making process. Let me know what you think