Time Capsule First Impressions
It’s something which we’re constantly told to do, but something very few of us ever actually take action on. What are we talking about? Backing up your precious data.
It was made immensely easier when Apple integrated Time Machine into every copy of OSX Leopard, but now there’s a new kid on the wireless block which makes backing up all the Macs in your house a simple un-daunting task.
Not only does the Time Capsule backup wirelessly but it also doubles as a 802.11n router, which allows 5X faster network speeds and twice the range of a traditional .11g router. Not to mention, when you plug in a printer to the USB port on the back of the unit, it also can be used as wireless print server with over 50 Macs or PCs on your network. Now we’re talking.
Design
Time Capsule looks strikingly similar to the Airport Extreme, with its sleek Apple-like design and sheer sexiness. If you were to place both the Airport Extreme and Time Capsule next to one another, you would notice that Time Capsule has a chrome Apple logo and is slightly thicker due to the integrated hard drive and cooling system.
It looks phenomenal on my desk, next to my iMac and my MacBook Pro.
Setup
Setup was extremely easy both on a Mac and a PC. On a Mac, you simply install the Airport Utility which you use to manage all wireless connections around your house. Once you get the utility up and running you answer a few simple questions, follow several steps, and before you know it, your connected.
It’s just as easy using a Windows machine. Setting up Time Machine for wireless backup was also a snap. Simply click on Time Machine, slide the switch to the on position, and then select your Time Capsule to begin your first backup, which depending on how much data you have, can take some time for the initial backup. From there, the incremental backups should be brief and painless for the network.
Life with Time Capsule
I have a 1TB Time Capsule that my MacBook Pro and my iMac share. Over the past several months I have been quite pleased with it, except for when I have occasional printer troubles, which can become very aggravating. The wireless printing feature hasn’t worked in weeks - although this could be a problem with my network settings.
It’s super quiet except for the occasional spin of the hard-drive when it’s backing up. Quite honestly, I would have never backed up if it wasn’t for this product. I recommend it to anyone who has a MacBook Air, or any Mac portable for that matter. After all, who wants to be tied down for hours at a time while your computer backs up, or worse off, lose data from not backing up at all? Errr, not me.
#1
Jonathan → www.jonathandavies.org.uk
Personally I love my Time Capsule (the 500GB version). It’s just nice not to be limited by your location around the house when you’re backing up - or want to access files that aren’t on your laptop’s hard drive.
Another cool trick is setting up the Time Capsule so you can access it anywhere, while you’re away.
Great article, Garrett, keep the posts coming.
Jonathan
#2
rmaspero → www.rmaspero.com
I would love to get one it is just the price tag that get me down
#3
niklaus sykesthat was awsome keep the great informative articals comming
#4
Mrs.LewisGarrett,
I am very proud of you for writing such a wonderful article. Keep up the great work!!
Your Favorite Librarian,
Mrs. Lewis
#5
Evan McgillivrayNow i think i need to get one
#6
Ajiththan Vj → www.ajiththanvj.wordpress.com
Great post, this blog post is so informative, even though i don’t have a mac nor a time capsule i feel like i know everything about it. Keep the excellent posts coming Glenn :)
#7
Christopher → www.khalek.net
I would really like to purchase one of these — like you said it would make the task of backing up my data almost painless.
#8
Noel Hurtley → noelhurtley.com
Welcome to Desktop Vibes Garrett! Sounds like Glenn’s call for help didn’t go unanswered.
I’d also like to say thanks for the brief and informative review. I’m going to pick up on these beauties soon.
#9
Glenn Wolsey → www.glennwolsey.com
Noel, it’s great to have such talented writers such as Garrett - along with a handful of others on board. Makes it so much easier to keep pushing content daily, and to keep that content flowing.
Let us know how yours turns out when you pick it up!
#10
Craig → www.craigmacproductions.com
great to see so much content flowing out now Glenn. The writers I’ve seen so far seem to know their stuff as well.
Well done!
Garrett, your post made me want to go out and get one of these time capsules to match my new MacBook Pro that is in the mail as we speak.
Has anyone else had any problems with their Time Capsules and wireless printing?
#11
Mrs. MoiseGarrett your article is very informative. You have a good mixture of conversational wittiness and personal product testimony. Rock On!!!!!
#12
Kim → kim.tumblr.com
Might be better if there’s more on “Life with”.
#13
Justin → www.justinthegreat.wordpress.com
I would most definitely get one of these if there were to be a price drop.
Does anyone know if these are or are not server grade hard drives?
#14
Callum JonesI recently purchased the 1TB and I am loving it, but I must warn people to set aside some time in which they shoudn’t use their Macbook. Say if I need it for work on uni the next day, I need to make sure that I have roughly enough time for the 50GB backup to finish.
#15
Jack Cory → swainnet.zapto.org/sbbath
I already have an air port extreme, and for those who do and are thinking about buying a time capsule, wait. You can buy an external usb hdd and connect it to your air port extreme and do wireless backups that way. I find it works just great.