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For some time I have wanted a wireless router that is easy to travel with, i.e small and yet has all the features I need. When I really needed wireless while traveling I packed a older D-Link access point but I was looking for something I could always have with me.

I started using a D-Link DWL-G730AP but recently changed to a Apple AirPort Express.

The features I deem necessary is:

• WPA encryption
• 802.11b/g support
• Port forward
• Can act as a router, access point and client

A few month ago I got a D-Link DWL-G730AP from a friend who never had used it himself. D-Link call it a “Wireless Pocket Access Point - Router - Wireless Client”. It’s really small and have a nifty 3-way configuration switch for router, access point and client mode. It comes with a case and can be powered via USB so it’s really geard towards travel.

I have used it a handfull of times and it works well. The possibility to change operation mode via the 3-way configuration switch is very convenient, normally you need to log in via a browser to make these kind of settings. This week I had use for it again but found a big problem, the range was to small. I needed the connection to go from one room to another through a concreate wall but got zero signal strength.

I don’t know if my unit is slightly defective or if the range simple is bad. The unit seems to work well in all other respects. Anyway it was time to look for a new solution.

I have been interested in a Apple AirPort Express ever since Apple released them but had hoped that they would come out with a modell that could transmit video as well as audio. Yesterday I bought one. It looks like a power adapter for the iBook/PowerBook and is only slightly bigger, making it a good travel router. The AirPort Express is like the D-Link a Wireless router, client and and access point plus it can act as a USB print server and transmit audio, what Apple call “AirTunes”. The last part is cool! You connect the AirPort Express to your stereo via analog or digital cables, tell iTunes on your computer to send the audio to it and it just works.

The range of the AirPort Express is a lot better than for the DWL-G730AP, at least when comparing my units. I miss the configuration switch and the built in DynDNS client on the D-Link but I’m looking forward to use AirTunes with my home stereo. The USB print server can come in handy also.

I remember reading an article in a Hi-Fi magazine that tested the sound quality of the AirPort Express. If you use a analog connection, with the AirPort Express built in D/A converter, the sound quality is nothing to write home about. With a digital connection to a separate decent D/A converter, on the other hand, you can get really good sound quality, especially if you use a format like Apple Lossless instead of compressed MP3 or AAC.

The price of the D-Link DWL-G730AP is ruffly half that of the Apple AirPort Express. If the range of the D-Link is supposed to be as bad as it is on my unit it’s a serious limitation. If you only need coverage in a hotel room or similar it’s still a good choice.

AirPort Express is a bit pricy but have cool functions like AirTunes, good range, supports WDS and are very easy to set up (it’s from Apple :-). This is what I will pack in my bag for travels and when I’m home I can use it with my stereo.

Firmware version used:

• D-Link DWL-G730AP, v1.0.2
• Apple AirPort Express, v6.3