Time Capsule: everything you wanted to know

So we spent the weekend playing with Time Capsule and we've discovered some interesting answers to all your questions, as well as a few accompanying annoyances. Our main takeaway? It's a solid product, but you shouldn't expect it to do anything more than back up your files -- and Apple really needs to step up and enable general NAS support for Time Machine. Read on!

Obviously the Time Capsule hardware itself isn't all that interesting -- after all, it's basically just an Airport Extreme with a hard drive inside. It's quiet, but definitely not silent. It does have a fan that vents out the bottom, but overall it gets and stays pretty warm -- almost hot, even. Using Time Machine is just the same as if you were using a local drive, just a little slower depending on how fast your connection is. Over 802.11n WiFi the hit was only slightly noticeable while searching, and almost non-existent over Ethernet, large transfers excepted. There is one potentially troublesome issue, however: since OS X doesn't appear to prioritize network activity out of the box, Time Machine absolutely slams your network interface when it starts up. Although browsing and other casual activities are relatively unaffected, there is definitely a noticeable impact. Just to isolate what we're talking about, this is how fast our Ethernet-connected iMac was able to send data over the LAN when it was in the middle of its initial 10MB/s backup:

If you're editing huge files all day long, that could be a problem since Time Machine kicks in every hour (unless you hack it to slow down). If not, though, you probably won't even notice the switch from a local drive to Time Capsule -- we didn't experience any similar slowdowns after that initial backup. No, the big changes are in how Time Machine handles the Time Capsule drive, and the new, refined Airport Utility.

So what's the big change in how Time Machine handles Time Capsule drives? Nothing, apart from the fact that it actually sees them. Just like the computer-connected shared drive we've been backing up to for months, Time Machine mounts a sparse disk image from the TC drive, backs up, and unmounts it -- no secret sauce or voodoo involved, as far as we can tell.

Since both OS X and Windows see TC drives as regular shared drives, it's even more frustrating that there's no general NAS support in Time Machine -- Airport Extreme owners, in particular, are likely very unhappy, especially since Time Capsule has no problem using external USB storage for backups. We asked Apple about it and got a non-answer; we hope they eventually do the right thing.

The just-a-drive nature of Time Capsule also means that it can't do a lot of the things a lot of readers asked about: sure, you can put your iTunes library on it, but it's not a media server, and pointing several computers to the same iTunes library is asking for trouble. Similarly, you can't stream directly to an Apple TV or 360 or whatever -- it just doesn't show up.

The new Airport Utility is very slick, walking you through all kinds of network setups (including complicated dual-5GHz / 2.4GHz systems and WDS chains) and even providing semi-real-time diagnostics:

Disk management options are limited, however: you can erase the drive and change some access settings, and that's about it. You certainly can't partition it or change the formatting or anything. You can enable WAN access if you care to expose all your data to the outside world.

Overall, Time Capsule does exactly what Apple told us it would do: make it easier for the vast majority of users to start backing up regularly over their network. That's to be commended, and if you're a Mac user and you've got the coin, there's no reason not to consider a Time Capsule when the time comes to replace your router -- we've always found Airport devices to be rock-solid, and Time Capsule is no exception. But if you're using a PC, it's not like you need the Time Machine support -- and if you own an Airport Extreme, you have every right to be peeved about the fact that what's essentially the same hardware won't let you back up to AirDisk. Let's hope 10.5.3 makes Time Capsule a little easier to swallow.

[Ellianth @ Mar 3rd 2008 11:03AM]

Who told you that I wanted to know this info? WHO?!?!

[Jeremy K. @ Mar 3rd 2008 11:29AM]

Shut up Ellianth.

[Bryan @ Mar 3rd 2008 11:10AM]

Here's my questions;

After a weekend of use, would you say that it is equal to, better, or worse than similar devices? Is the "apple-ness" of the Time Capsule make it a better network backup/storage device, or would an apple/pc user be better off buying another option that is more capable/compatible in both directions (mac - pc)?

[Gorillamonk @ Mar 3rd 2008 4:32PM]

that is a good question...what would be a good one to go with, since this has a loss of options.

[FrankTheCrank @ Mar 3rd 2008 11:10AM]

So is this what their doing with the warehouse full of Apple TV's? Converting them to this Time Capsule thing-a-ma-jig?

[pismodude2 @ Mar 3rd 2008 11:20AM]

APPLE TV's are aluminum, and have much smaller HD's. If by 'convert' you mean swapping both the internals and externals... I guess so then.

[afsheen @ Mar 3rd 2008 11:12AM]

I've never seen so much coverage devoted to a backup drive in my life.

[Jimmy Jones @ Mar 3rd 2008 11:20AM]

I hear ya...like it is some Mac World Expo or CES show...jeez!! Engadget might as well rename their domain as appleengadget.com or engadgetapple.stevejobs.com...which ever suits your desire..:P

[Nilay Patel @ Mar 3rd 2008 11:24AM]

Hey, you asked, we answered. If three people had responded to that previous post as opposed to 120 we would have dropped it.

[Spyvie @ Mar 3rd 2008 11:45AM]

Dont you understand? ...It's a $500 wireless backup drive for metro male kool-aid drinkers.

[Jeff @ Mar 3rd 2008 12:14PM]

you haters are boring.

[FL @ Mar 3rd 2008 12:18PM]

Hi Nilay Patel, you guys care for writing another report on swapping the hard drive? I for one would be very interested. While you are at it, partition the new drive before sticking it in and see what happens.

[Ty @ Mar 3rd 2008 12:23PM]

For $500 it needs to regularly suck on more than just my network bandwidth.

[phanbouy @ Mar 3rd 2008 1:35PM]

keep beating those tired old memes into a bloody pulp, trolls.

[snitch @ Mar 3rd 2008 11:22AM]

From reading this Review i guess you guys where Hoping its to ran Spreadsheet, lol, Its a freaking backup drive for macs nothing else. Now ya complaining cuase it was a fan too lol.

[Craig @ Mar 3rd 2008 11:25AM]

What I want to know is whether it goes better with white or red, but I don't see THAT in the article. Pffft...so much for you and your boastful headlines.

[ben @ Mar 3rd 2008 11:26AM]

Finally, I'll never have to worry about losing my 300gb porn collection ever again.

[ben @ Mar 3rd 2008 11:27AM]

Also, RAID1 makes this worthless.

[kint @ Mar 3rd 2008 11:33AM]

lol you have some serious mental problems!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Zak @ Mar 3rd 2008 11:36AM]

How does RAID1 make this worthless? Does RAID1 somehow turn a disk array into NAS? Does RAID1 turn your disk array into a wireless router? I really don't see what your point is here. Maybe your point is that you don't understand what Time Capsule does, that would be the only thing about your comment that would make sense.

[Kizorblade @ Mar 3rd 2008 11:54AM]

@ Kint

Are you talking about ben's comment on the porn or the later one? Because I sure hope it's the latter.


NOBODY DISSES PORN.

[Ty @ Mar 3rd 2008 12:12PM]

I guess his point is that since you can't really use it as NAS, and since RAID 1 would be screamingly faster and even more automated, RAID 1 is better. IF you're using a desktop. AND you're the only one backing stuff up. AND you can build computers.

I'm sure this thing is great for houses with several people who each have a laptop, though. As great as, say, a Lacie that's exactly the same size for half the price? "Meh."

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822154170

[Jeff @ Mar 3rd 2008 12:18PM]

@ Ty... that Lacie isn't really competing with this... If all you need is a ethernet drive, then it might be worth while, but the TC is quite a bit more than that.

[Ty @ Mar 3rd 2008 12:28PM]

I don't really agree. I mean the interface is certainly nicer than the backup apps that I use (Acronis TrueImage for OS, open source file backup), but my system is fully automated (though it rapes my network connection once a day rather than once an hour) and does everything the time capsule does.

Though I will concede my mother would have an easier time with the time capsule than my setup.

So I guess design, nicer interface, and ease of use = $250. Unless I'm missing something here.

[ben @ Mar 3rd 2008 12:37PM]

The whole point of a backup is separate media with independent failure rates. If apple would have RAID1 options in their desktops, than you have two drives with independent failure rates, and it's clearly a better option because it's:
1. Instantaneous.
2. Doesn't tie up network resources.

I don't store any media or documents on my laptop, and the extent of restoring my laptop would be reinstalling the OS and programs. Maybe if you store media/documents on a laptop (I don't, a laptop is far more likely to be stolen than a desktop), you could find use in this.

[ben @ Mar 3rd 2008 12:50PM]

Also, kint, let's not degrade this to insults, that's pretty childish!(!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)

[Zak @ Mar 3rd 2008 1:04PM]

Ty - I see what you're saying, but you're missing the point. A RAID 1 array would be faster, no doubt - but it wouldn't be remote, or wireless, or a router. That's why I think some people are missing the point here. Also, I think you misunderstood what Nilay said about Time Capsule and NAS - he said it's too bad Time Machine (not Time Capsule) doesn't have general NAS support. He was referring to the fact that Time Machine doesn't appear to support external storage on devices *other than* Time Capsule, i.e. the Airport Extreme.

Time Capsule itself is absolutely usable as NAS, both on Mac and on Windows. And has been pointed out, your La Cie Big Disk example is not even close to being the same thing as Time Capsule. Time Capsule is NAS *AND* it's a WAP *AND* it's a wireless B/G/N router *AND* it's a 3 port switch! Comparing it to a Big Disk is just missing the point. And again, yes you can get faster speeds with a RAID 1 array and yes a standalone NAS unit by itself is cheaper. But neither of those things give you a wireless router/switch or the capability to connect to your storage wirelessly. It's about the entire widget, not just a part of it. If you don't need a wireless router, then you probably don't need Time Capsule. It's as simple as that.

[jacob @ Mar 3rd 2008 9:50PM]

@ Ty

Isn't the Lacie half the hardware too?? I haven't found a wireless router than can match the range of the Extreme Base Station.

I would think, the hourly backup would effectively distribute the size of the backup into smaller more manageable backups.

[Gotung @ Mar 3rd 2008 2:10PM]

Anybody using RAID 1 as a backup is a complete moron. If it is software based RAID 1 you are a complete moron x2.

[Azayzel @ Mar 3rd 2008 3:12PM]

Wow, quite a few haters and others complaining about a simple review. Sure, I too think it's kind of funny the amount of advertising Engadget throws Apple's way, but this article is actually informative and seemingly unbiased.

I think the major complaints about the device are the lack of streaming content and the hit OS X takes when syncing a backup. THey said this thing is essentially the AirPort Extreme w/ a built-in HDD, so why put in CPU/RAM/Bus speeds? Can you hack your APE to do something more? If so, then you can probably do the same with this. If you have an existing NAS, then you don't need this device, although this one might have something better built-in, which brings me to this particular thread...

You guys have absolutely no idea what you're talking about when refering to RAID1. To begin with, RAID1 has no, I repeat, no impact on the speed of data transfers, let alone the boosting of system performance. The only way you would see a perf incrs would be if you were doing a soft-RAID and then upgraded to a dedicated hardware configuration, and then speed would still be limited to the single-drive speed. You're confusing this with RAID0, which stripes data across multiple drives and does, in fact, improve performace at the loss of redundancy. Yes, it sucks that the TC doesn't have built-in RAID support, but that would have cost Apple a bit more to implement, probably a whole architecture change and they couldn't use existing APE's (it appears Apple's motto is "Why bother designing something new when people are clearly not tired of throwing cash at existing products!").

The whole point of a good backuup scheme is to protect your data, hence the need for RAID1. Why wouldn't you want your backup data being saved on two different disks at the same time? That way if one, perchance, should take a dump the other will still be safely holding your data? They could have thrown in a RAID card and let users choose what configuration they want to use, but again with would have been money out of their pockets and since they wouldn't be able to move the device for any more than what they're asking now (and $300 is still a bit much for a 500GB router/HDD combo), why bother?

RAID5 would be best, but then you have to make sure you have same-size drives handy for when one craps out and hope you don't lose more than one at a time. Of course this would increase the size, not to mention cost, of the device.

[ben @ Mar 3rd 2008 3:20PM]

"Anybody using RAID 1 as a backup is a complete moron. If it is software based RAID 1 you are a complete moron x2."

1. There's only a need for an external backup if a.) you plan on lighting your case on fire or doing something similarly destructive, b.) live in a bad neighborhood (but then again, TC is probably easier to steal than a computer), c.) like to download lots of .exes (doesn't really apply to Macs?).

2. Microsoft's Desktop operating systems don't even have software RAID1, and setting up a hardware RAID1 isn't difficult

[Ty @ Mar 3rd 2008 4:14PM]

Firstly, I've been schooled; the Time Capsule is indeed a lot more than an ethernet disk. Though still not offering anything that I don't already have (NAS, router, switch, automated backup software), and thus not offering any added value for me personally, I do see the $500 one-purchase gets you all these things appeal. Though having a hard drive inside the most power-cycled device in a computer user's arsenal (router) is kinda terrifying to me.

Zak, you win. Again.

Now, for the other people..

jacob said "I would think, the hourly backup would effectively distribute the size of the backup into smaller more manageable backups." - I don't want my backups spread out into smaller more manageable backups. I want them done either on the hardware level via RAID, or all at once very early in the morning when I'm not using my computer. I simply don't see the sense in backing up every hour wasting CPU / HD bandwidth / network bandwidth unless it's VERY important data.

ben said: "Anybody using RAID 1 as a backup is a complete moron. If it is software based RAID 1 you are a complete moron x2." So what happens when your single-disk desktop's hard drive crashes (hardware failure) and time capsule is your only backup? Good luck booting off of it champ. RAID 1 is for redundancy in event of a critical hardware failure when you only have the money for two hard drives. Hard drive 1 dies, hard drive 2 in RAID 1 is bootable and you never stopped using your computer.

[robbh66 @ Mar 3rd 2008 4:23PM]

ben, while you appear to have some knowledge of RAID and what it entails, your reasons for using it are ridiculous and unfounded. Yes, overall RAID 1 is better than any single drive- but is it necessary, of even possible. If you know anything about apple designs- none of them save the mac pro contain more than one hard drive- so right off the batt there's a rather large technological hurdle that can't be overcome. Furthermore, Time capsule is a second hard drive, separate from the first, that has a failure rate independent of the main drive in the computer being used. Is it RAID? No. But is it similar in functionality, yes. Finally, RAID is more expensive. Period. IF data is critical for one reason or another, it makes sense to get RAID and stock it with enterprise class drives- but this is for users at home who would like to have a little more security with their data. So please, stop doing everyone a disservice with your comments- they're neither relevant or useful.

[Gotung @ Mar 3rd 2008 4:21PM]

And what happens if your filesystem has a hiccup and corrupts some data? Or you delete a file you didn't mean to. Or .... a million other bad things that can happen.

Then you are stuck with 2 copies of garbage data. Or 2 empty spaces where your file used to be.

RAID 1 = redundancy
Redundancy != backup

In happy good time fantasy land redundancy might be enough. In the real world you need a real backup.

If you feel safe with RAID 1, fine. But stop trying to spread your ill-conceived notions. Because if somebody is stupid and listens to you they might lose something valuable.

[TheCow5 @ Mar 3rd 2008 11:27AM]

Everything you wanted to know, didn’t want to know and even more things about apple.
First thing is name change.

From Engadget to AppleGadger

Always show the negative about everyone other than apple.

Meizu's M8 was a no show at CES and CeBIT. You neglected to mention that Apple is suing them.

I expected there to be backlas against apple this year, I didn't think Engadget to sparket it with there pro apple pointless news if you can call these blogs news.

[Joe @ Mar 3rd 2008 2:05PM]

they did say that it had some caveats

and no its not an all news site other wise it wouldnt be called a blog...

[PynkFloydd @ Mar 3rd 2008 4:18PM]

The funniest thing that I find...nobody mentioned that Apple is actually lying (not so new).

Apple claims "server grade" hard drives on their web site. You look up the hard drive on the Hitachi site and it is NOT a server grade model.

How long until Apple gets sued for their lies? ...honestly, it's not marketing if you just lie.

Of course, if you just use half truths (like the Mac vs. PC ads) then it's just good showmanship...

[Kasi Viswanath @ Mar 3rd 2008 9:35PM]

Exactly my thoughts too, I back you on this (Engadget = Apple Gadget).

They even failed to mention the drawbacks of this Router/Backup thing.

Almost all the top class routers are configurable (via wireless or ethernet) by a web page (with some default IP address). But with TC (and also AEBS), you have to install on all the Mac's/PC's the Airport Utility to really use them. Isn't it sick? Common Engadget, make people aware of this facts. You guys are really sick of Apple products. Get a break.

Again, as someone later pointed out, Apple in their site had mentioned about the Hard Drives as Server Grade but they actually are not! It's not that, LYING to customers is new to Apple but.....

Engadget, please be unbiased in your news articles. It's not that I am complaining too much but AGAIN, please try to be unbiased.

Finally Nilay Patel, it would be great, if you can change the title of the article to something more apt..... What you have covered in here is NOWHERE near to "Everything" as you said!

[spritle @ Mar 3rd 2008 11:36AM]

How about network printing through the USB? Yay or Nay?

[terrylam @ Mar 3rd 2008 1:43PM]

I too am interested in that part. Our house has gone entirely wireless and it would be nice to control the printer through this if it's a viable solution. The other question I have is, I hear that it can take a USB drive in it to expand it. If so, can I put a USB hub on it and run printers and a USB drive to it since it only has one USB port on it? I guess its a matter if the I/O controller can handle it or not?

[Zak @ Mar 3rd 2008 1:09PM]

I'd like to hear Engadget's results with this too, but if you're wondering if it's just possible in general, this is from Apple's site:

"The included USB port is great for sharing a printer throughout your wireless network. Time Capsule and the Bonjour networking technology let everyone in the house or office — Mac and PC users alike — take advantage of one centrally located printer."

[Nick @ Mar 3rd 2008 1:21PM]

yay!

Gizmodo's review said that they tried and and Time Capsul recognized the printer right away, but they ran into a snag with actually getting proper print job sent and processed.

http://gizmodo.com/362391/time-capsule-initial-verdict-smooth-sailing-no-surprises

[Tom @ Mar 3rd 2008 2:30PM]

I am also interested if it can handle a USB hub....

[Zak @ Mar 3rd 2008 3:38PM]

Tom: http://www.apple.com/timecapsule/wireless.html

"And if you want to share both a printer and an additional hard drive, you can. Just connect a USB hub to Time Capsule. "

[Jon Eric @ Mar 3rd 2008 11:43AM]

I'm wondering... is there something in the Airport Utility that makes the Time Capsule work?
If you have the new Airport Utility installed, connect an external hard drive to an older Airport Extreme Base Station (gigabit). Would you then be able to use Time Machine to back up to that drive?

[Richy @ Mar 4th 2008 4:40AM]

I think it'll be something in the firmware of the Time Capsule itself. The reason for not allowing LAN based backup out-of-the-box for Time Machine is due to the way TCP/IP responds with success.

If you set up Time Machine to backup over LAN (which is very easy -- you just type one line into Terminal to change a config file, sorry can't remember what it is!); Time Machine will think that the packet was successfully written to your NAS when your router responds with 'success'. Of course, this is not necessarily true, since your router has not tried forwarding the packet to your NAS yet, and your NAS hasn't tried storing the data.

The chances of missing data are remote, but realistic enough for Apple to pull the default functionality from Time Machine.

I suspect that Time Capsule will ensure that the data is written to the disc before the Airport router responds with success back to your Mac and Time Machine.

So, maybe we'll see some future firmware update for the Airport Extreme assuming the drive needs no tighter integration with the router than can be provided by USB.

[Jose @ Mar 3rd 2008 11:47AM]

I am curious on what utility you used to get the network bandwidth being utilized in the menu bar... I can't say I've seen that one before.

[Jose R. Perez @ Mar 3rd 2008 11:50AM]

Well, I answered my own question... I was familiar with the iStat widgets, but did not know they now have a menu utility. Looks like you used iStat Menus.

[Nilay Patel @ Mar 3rd 2008 12:03PM]

It's actually MenuMeters, I just tweaked all the colors.

[alpha @ Mar 3rd 2008 11:56AM]

What's the CPU inside? Any linkstation type of hacking possiblity?