On January 7, 2003, Apple introduced AirPort Extreme, based on the 802.11g specification, using Broadcom's BCM4306/BCM2050 two-chip solution. The original AirPort system allowed transfer rates up to 11 Mbit/s and was commonly used to share Internet access and files between multiple computers. Only Xserves do not have it as a standard or optional feature. The AirPort card (a repackaged Lucent ORiNOCO Gold Card PC Card adapter) was later added as an option for almost all of Apple's product line, including PowerBooks, eMacs, iMacs, and Power Macs. The initial offering consisted of an optional expansion card for Apple's new line of iBook notebooks and an AirPort Base Station. 3.4 Integrated AirPort Extreme 802.11ac cardsĪirPort debuted on July 21, 1999, as 'one more thing' at Macworld New York, with Steve Jobs picking up an iBook supposedly to give the cameraman a better shot as he surfed the Web.
