Apple AirPort Express represents a cheap ($129 direct) and elegantsolution for playing music throughout the house. For iTunes users whodon't mind a product with no remote control, no onscreen TV display,and no WMA music support, AirPort Express is the one to have. It isunassailably easy to use.

Despite the Apple brand name, the AirPort Express is fine forWindows PC users, too. It plugs directly into a wall outlet, so there'sno box to find a spot for and no transformer to lose. But don't let itsdiminutive size fool you: Hiding inside the tiny (0.4 pounds, 3.7 by3.0 by 1.1 inches HWD) case is a multifaceted networking device,starting with an 802.11g wireless router.

There's a USB port for remotewireless printing, and one Ethernet jack so you can connect to abroadband modem or to your existing wired network (but not both). In analready-wireless environment, it functions as a wireless rangeextender.

Oh, and for playing music, the device has analog and opticaldigital outputs that let you connect to a stereo or powered speakers.

You control the AirPort Express via Apple iTunes on your PC, sincethere's no remote. You select or build playlists at your PC, then clickon Play and tell iTunes whether to play the music on the PC or via oneof the detected AirPort Express units you might have scattered aroundthe house. You can have multiple streams going to multiple AirPortExpress units, but not the same stream.

Any music iTunes can play will play via an AirPort Express; thatmeans MP3, AAC (the iTunes standard), and digital-rights-managed iTunesdownloads. iTunes can play WMA files, but only indirectly: You have totranscode them to MP3 or AAC format first. Still, if you wanthassle-free music only and you don't mind going back to your PC tochange what's playing, AirPort Express is just right.

More media hub reviews:

Copyright © 2005 Ziff Davis Media Inc. All Rights Reserved. Originally appearing in PC Magazine.