Apple Time Capsule hands-on

Here's the new Time Capsule NAS from Apple. Not much to say about this one. It's a bit larger than we expected, but still pretty well sized for a NAS.

Gallery: Apple Time Capsule hands-on

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[Indalo @ Jan 29th 2008 3:43PM]

I'd like to know if Time Capsule will hold files photos, etc that aren't backed-up duplicates? The reason is that I need more hard disk space rather than a duplicate of my already stuffed up machine. Can I copy to TC then delete from laptop, or just copy originals to TC then access it from my laptoop?

[sajawebb @ Jan 29th 2008 5:27PM]

I'd like to know if Time Capsule will hold files photos, etc that aren't backed-up duplicates? The reason is that I need more hard disk space rather than a duplicate of my already stuffed up machine. Can I copy to TC then delete from laptop, or just copy originals to TC then access it from my laptoop?

Ditto...Since the MBA has only an 80gb hdd, I'd like to store only the most pertinent data on my laptop, with the ability to retrieve additional data from the TC as needed. I'd love to store my movie collection on the TC. Seems like Time Capsule and Apple TV should eventually become a merged device. Could you imagine Apple TV with high speed router capabilities, backup, etc. An all-in-one digital (home-based) appliance & your MB (mobile appliance).

[Jaime @ Feb 12th 2008 11:29PM]

The only thing holding me back from buying the 1TB model is trying to find out if there is a way to connect a usb cable from my computer to the time capsule usb port and backup files that way. aka NOT using wireless. the apple site only says you can use it to connect a printer or hard drive to it. ????

anyone have any more info on this?

[blackcrayon @ Feb 13th 2008 9:25AM]

I'm pretty sure you can not do that- but of course you could connect your computer directly to it via ethernet for the same purpose...

[KyleC @ Jan 15th 2008 3:17PM]

Engadget, ask how many macs can you back up to the 1tb model. Apple doesn't seem to say anywhere.

[Wes Joyce @ Jan 15th 2008 3:22PM]

he did say in the keynote ( the post covering it) that you could back up all the macs in the house...? i mean 1Tb is a lot of space haha

[LegendZ28 @ Jan 15th 2008 3:21PM]

From the Apple.com website:

"There are no cables, so you can back up all the computers in your home to a central location."

So I'm guessing as many as there is space for.

[Grandalf @ Jan 15th 2008 3:22PM]

That would totally depent on how big a hard drive those mac's have, and if you choose to back up all partitions on that mac, or only the one with system, pictures, music, movies and such on. So basically from one mac pro with lots of harddisk space - to 17 macbooks with 60gb hdd's.

[Grandalf @ Jan 15th 2008 3:27PM]

Not to forget you can attach more hard drives via. the usb port. Several in fact if you apply a usb-hub first. So in theory you could have a total of 10+ TB's available for backup if you needed it.

[Emile Petrone @ Jan 15th 2008 3:20PM]

Time Capsule + Apple TV software = I buy

[LegendZ28 @ Jan 15th 2008 3:22PM]

I don't think they work the way you think they work.

[Wes Joyce @ Jan 15th 2008 3:19PM]

does this only work for macs?? would be sweet for a PC....

[Vince @ Jan 15th 2008 3:21PM]

It's designed for Time Machine, so I'm guessing it wouldn't work for PCs...maybe as a basic network drive.

[Kizorblade @ Jan 15th 2008 3:21PM]

Yep, both work with it

[Grandalf @ Jan 15th 2008 3:28PM]

Works as a NAS for all computers on the LAN, but only mac's with leopard can benifit from the automated backing up through time machine.

[cronick @ Jan 15th 2008 3:20PM]

Is this why Time Machine doesn't support networked drives? So, Apple can sell their own networked drive... the only one that is currently supported?

[Francois @ Jan 21st 2008 10:57AM]

This is exactly what I though! I'm a new switcher but these kind of decisions taken by Apple are really annoying me.

[Apple makes garbage @ Jan 15th 2008 3:21PM]

Blah, I'm so mac'd out now I'm gonna have to go install linux on something to compensate, or maybe even Windows 98se, just to balance out the bias...

Oh quick question: what happened to that bit out piece of apple in the logo? was that where the apple folks' common sense went?

[Kizorblade @ Jan 15th 2008 3:24PM]

The bitten out piece in the logo? Looks like it's there to me

[Apple makes garbage @ Jan 15th 2008 3:26PM]

I was simply joking that the bitten out piece must've had Apple's common sense in it, since some of their decisions (like non-removable batteries) are down right stupidity..

[Inwa @ Jan 15th 2008 3:22PM]

So does this mean that i'll never be able to just hook up a USB hard drive to my Airport Express and backup to it using Time Machine?

[smi1ey @ Jan 15th 2008 3:23PM]

i'm guessing that's a yes. honestly to me this is probably the most useful release of this year. hope it does well.

[Inwa @ Jan 15th 2008 3:26PM]

Ouch, but i suppose it's fairly reasonable for the same AE with a "server class" hard drive.

[Didou @ Jan 15th 2008 4:42PM]

Maybe that's one of the features to be announced with the MacOSX 10.5.2 update (I'm hoping anyways).

[Jason @ Jan 17th 2008 10:09AM]

If you go to Terminal and type

defaults write com.apple.systempreferences TMShowUnsupportedNetworkVolumes 1

This will allow you to use a NAS drive in Time Machine.

[w @ Jan 15th 2008 3:22PM]

another yawn.

[Apple makes garbage @ Jan 15th 2008 3:27PM]

Loading.. Please Wait..

[David @ Jan 15th 2008 3:34PM]

There's a TB in there? and draft-N router? That seems pretty impressive.. Too bad I don't have 500 laying around or a laptop with N :(

[Francesco Minciotti @ Jan 15th 2008 3:38PM]

Well, you know, per se it is a great piece of hardware, even at a reasonable price -- the thing turns to bad when you (and I) think about the people who bought, months ago, an Airport extreme (or two...) and a USB hard drive to perform wireless backups. If Apple won't release an upgrade for the AEBS to let it wirelessly backup onto the Airdisk, it would be a great betrayal for us customers, since they promoted the AEBS as a great way to have a wireless disk.

Waiting to shout SUCKERS. Hope not.

[Jacques-Jean Tiziou @ Jan 15th 2008 3:49PM]

Agreed - I do very much hope that this means that Time Machine and the preexisting Airport Extreme base stations will be updated to allow a similar functionality with other disks.

Now here's the other question: Is the drive in this thing user-swappable? I have an unfortunate feeling that it won't be. But if it was built so that it was easily accessed so that the backup drive could be replaced when it fails, then that would definitely be better.

[ictiosapiens @ Jan 15th 2008 3:38PM]

Can it be accessed over the internet? If it can, I'll order one today...

[Geoffrey Sperl @ Jan 15th 2008 4:29PM]

The current AirDisk can (I'm looking at my share at home right now), so I don't see why this one can't.

[Scott L @ Jan 15th 2008 3:57PM]

The 1TB version is just perfect for me and my family of 49!

[JS @ Jan 15th 2008 3:45PM]

Hmmm. No audio/TOSlink outputs, so you can't stream audio wirelessly like you can with the Airport Express.

[Peter @ Jan 15th 2008 4:16PM]

Darn it, that's what I had been hoping to use this for! Could I plug in USB speakers and play wirelessly from my laptop?

[AJ @ Jan 15th 2008 3:50PM]

Doesn't Microsoft call this Windows Home Server? And isn't it user upgradeable? And doesn't it have a ton more functionality? This is garbage.

[Westacular @ Jan 15th 2008 4:56PM]

Windows Home Server is a full blown server: a small-scale headless PC running a variation of Windows Server 2003 acting as a very featureful NAS. It use a lot more power, it's not a router, and it has no wifi.

It's also twice the price for a 500 GB model.

So, other than allowing network storage and backups, they're entirely different products. Thanks for playing.

[AJ @ Jan 15th 2008 5:14PM]

I'd pay a little more for a lot more function. I'm not playing, I'm just stating the facts. I love Apple products, but when they do what they accuse Microsoft of doing all the time, by copying and existing product, I have to call them on it.

[Bloobie @ Jan 15th 2008 6:05PM]

No, MS calls this NAS (Network Attached Storage) with a Draft-N wireless router built-in. Go troll somewhere else.

[Justin Williams @ Jan 15th 2008 4:16PM]

In my opinion, and im sure alot of other people as well, apple doesnt only build for people with a lot of technical ability. They want this item to be for people who want to take it out of the box and work, and it seems thats what its going to do. Same with the apple tv. I think this is a good item for apple. As they build market share, those buyers are going to want items that work seamlessly with their mac without much setup. This fits. My only hope is that people who already have the AEBS can use the network drive with time machine.

[Justin Williams @ Jan 15th 2008 4:16PM]

In my opinion, and im sure alot of other people as well, apple doesnt only build for people with a lot of technical ability. They want this item to be for people who want to take it out of the box and work, and it seems thats what its going to do. Same with the apple tv. I think this is a good item for apple. As they build market share, those buyers are going to want items that work seamlessly with their mac without much setup. This fits. My only hope is that people who already have the AEBS can use the network drive with time machine.

[Matt @ Jan 15th 2008 4:21PM]

The question nobody seems to have asked is where does this leave .Mac users? What about .Mac Backup?

[Geoffrey Sperl @ Jan 15th 2008 4:39PM]

Your question should be focused at Time Machine, not Time Capsule. Time Capsule is just a NAS with a router, switch, and some extra firmware that hooks up all pretty-like with Leopard.

That said, .Mac Backup can still be used for off-site backup, so it can work in conjunction with Time Machine.

Also, I'm running Time Machine and ChronoSync at home, so it's not like Time Machine won't work with other backup programs.

[Allie @ Jan 15th 2008 4:26PM]

Is it fanless? The problem with most NAS and USB/FW external disks is that they have extremely noisy fans.

[Bob Smyth @ Jan 15th 2008 4:43PM]

This thing is NOT an NAS storage device. If I can't access my data remotely from this thing (meaning anywhere else other than from my sofa) then what's the friggin point!? I don't like it...why not have .Mac manage the remote access portion of this...that would make it ideal. This is definately a DON'T BUY.

[James @ Jan 15th 2008 5:14PM]

It never fails that when Apple releases something that doesn't fit a particular person's needs, that person will be inclined to post all over the internet how nobody in their right mind would buy such a thing. I mean really, DON'T BUY?

I can see why one might not consider buying the thing. It'd be nice if this was a little more full featured. I'd like to see expandability, ability to access files remotely, and single instance copy to name a few. However, until I'm at the helm of some company designing products to suit me, then I'll have to live with whatever company can more closely offer what will work for me.

I'm a pretty technical guy. I develop software for a living and building computers doesn't scare me. I could configure up some RAID linux NAS and be able to manage my data in any number of ways. But I don't really want to. I want to buy something that works out of the box and never have to think about it. I think there is a large market for this type of thing. It's easy to use, and that's Apple's whole philosophy.

Besides, I don't recall Apple ever said this was a NAS. It's simply a hard drive tacked on to a draft N router. As a bonus, it works with Time Machine.

[System48 @ Jan 15th 2008 9:55PM]

You hit the nail right on the head. Apple wants you using stuff that you don't have to think about. Or simply stop thinking and just buy it. Why do people always sugar coat everything Apple does, because what they make looks pretty or sexy? They're out there to make as much money as possible just like any other company. If they can sucker their customers into buying crap and keep them coming back, then why wouldn't they?

[robertico811 @ Jan 15th 2008 4:55PM]

this is coo, just wish that would of added all this funk to the apple tv

[scott @ Jan 15th 2008 5:21PM]

I was thinking an appletv plus this would be magic for my system.....I then could use my current airport express back in my bedroom for extended coverage and also be able to stream some music back there.

also am I right in thinking the appletv 40gig will be plenty if it is networked with this. pretty awesome

[Steve Wallen @ Jan 15th 2008 5:25PM]

The "Time Capsule" isn't shipping until February, hopefully between then we get 10.5.2 and a firmware update for the AirPort Extreme N's.

Someone at MacWorld should check the OS Build and the firmware on one of the Time Capsule demos.


I also noticed that the AppleTV is listed as compatible.. maybe the new firmware will give us access to content stored on an APE.