Networking · The Translucent Revolution · 1999
AirPort Base Station (Graphite)
A little grey flying saucer that brought wireless internet to the home. Designed by Jony Ive’s team, it made "Wi-Fi" (then called AirPort) something normal people actually used.
Helped take consumer Wi-Fi mainstream alongside the iBook.
AirPort Extreme Base Station (2003)
AirPort Base Station (Graphite): key facts
When was the AirPort Base Station (Graphite) released?
The AirPort Base Station (Graphite) arrived in July 1999. Apple discontinued it in 2001.
How much did the AirPort Base Station (Graphite) cost?
The AirPort Base Station (Graphite) launched at $299 in 1999, about $574 in today’s money (approximate, US CPI).
What specs stand out?
Key specs: AMD Élan at 66 MHz, 4 MB RAM, Status LEDs display, Ethernet, modem.
Why does the AirPort Base Station (Graphite) matter?
Helped take consumer Wi-Fi mainstream alongside the iBook.
Full specifications
| CPU | AMD Élan · 66 MHz |
|---|---|
| Cores | 1 |
| Memory (RAM) | 4 MB |
| Storage | — |
| Display | Status LEDs |
| GPU | — |
| Ports | Ethernet, modem |
| Weight | 0.5 kg |
| Dimensions | Flying-saucer shape |
| Operating system | AirPort firmware |
| Released | July 1999 |
| Discontinued | 2001 |
| Launch price | $299 |
How the AirPort Base Station (Graphite) compares to today
A 16 GB Apple Silicon MacBook Pro has about 4,100× more memory than this device shipped with.
At 66 MHz, the clock is roughly 48× slower than a single performance core of a 16 GB Apple Silicon MacBook Pro, and that is before counting cores, width and IPC.
Launched at $299 in 1999, about $574 in today’s money (approx., US CPI).
Method note: clock comparisons use frequency only; price conversions use US CPI.
Sources
Specs checked against Apple technical specifications archive, EveryMac, Mactracker, Wikimedia Commons image credits.
Did you know?
Apple launched it the same day Steve Jobs hula-hooped the wireless iBook on stage.
Related Networking models
Open the AirPort Base Station (Graphite) in the interactive archive →
Last updated: 2026-08-11