Review: Airport Extreme takes wing with Air Mount
The Air Mount costs US$37.99 for a standard version and $52.99 for the cooler-looking backlit version (shown). Before installing it (and you can do so horizontally or vertically), you'll need to place the Airport Extreme in the mount and attach all cables to it that you plan to use. Then you route the cables through the hemispherical cable management guides at the rear of the mount. To hold the cables in place, you can use tape (which works out okay, as you don't notice the tape once the AirPort Extreme is mounted).
Next you disconnect the Airport Extreme and remove it from the mount, leaving the cables in place and attach the Air Mount to the wall, ceiling or whatever surface you're attaching it to with the included screws. (Don't over-tighten or you may crack the H-Squared device's acrylic material.)
Then you have to install the Airport Extreme by sliding it into the Air Mount and aligning the notch in the Airport Extreme with the guides on each arm of the Mount. The status light should face toward the small stop. Re-attach the cables and -- voila! -- you're good to go. The hardest part for non-carpentry types will be finding the wall studs for attachment. You can mount using either standard holes or VESA 75/100 configuration.
The slotted grips hold your Airport Extreme in place, while the hidden stop prevents your base station from falling out. And the clear quarter-inch cast acrylic is strong, but blends into the background -- unless you're using the backlight kit. Heck, you can even use the backlit version as a night light.
The only downside to the Air Mount is that it's less convenient attaching and unattaching cables than it is when the Airport Extreme is sitting on your desk. But if you don't do much cable dancing, if you have limited desktop real estate, or if you want the world's coolest looking backlight, go for it.
Macsimum rating: 7 out of 10