Wireless Internet and computer connectivity has become commonplace in businesses, public places, and homes. A new wireless standard, dubbed 802.11n, is here. 802.11n boasts up to five times the speed of 802.11g and three times the range (user results may vary). 802.11n is backward compatible with all previous 802.11 standards (g, b, and a).

Recently Apple released a new version of their Airport Extreme Base Station (AEBS), sporting 802.11n as well as some other useful features. I set one up in my home, replacing my trusty 802.11b Airport Base Station.

Setting up the new AEBS was a joy – the new Airport Utility software quickly walked me through the process. The hardest part was coming up with a 12-character security password. In minutes the new network was up and running.

Besides three Ethernet ports out for hard-wiring computers, the AEBS also sports a USB 2 port, which can be used to attach a printer, USB 2 hard drive, or even a USB 2 hub that allows connecting multiple printers and hard drives. Any computer on the network can access any of the printers or hard drives at any time, creating a home server system. It works as advertised, so I now have valuable data automatically backed up daily to the network drive, scheduled with Apple’s Backup utility. Sweet.

I only have one computer in my home that has 802.11n capability – my Core 2 Duo iMac. When I bought the iMac in October it’s embedded Airport card could only handle 802.11g. Turns out, however, that the Airport cards installed in all Core 2 Duo-based Macs sold of late (iMacs, MacBooks, and MacBook Pros) can easily be converted to 802.11n through a software update. That software is included on the CD shipping with the new AEBS. If you purchase another manufacturer’s 802.11n base station, you can purchase the downloadable conversion software from Apple’s online store for $1.99.

As the only portable Macs in my home have 802.11g Airport cards, I cannot speak to the speed of the new 802.11n standard. Anytime older, slower 802.11 products join the network, speed and range of the network are degraded to the older standard. Therefore, if you don’t have a Core 2 Duo desktop or portable Mac in the house with 802.11n capability, or plan on buying an Apple TV, the new AEBS is not an immediate must-have. Down the road, however, it will be.