Apple unveils 2TB Time Capsule, ships today for $499

Nearly four months after we first saw evidence that a 2TB Time Capsule was in the works, Apple has finally come clean and listed said device for sale in its webstore. So far as we can tell, the 802.11n router + NAS drive isn't any different than existing models save for the internal capacity, and it looks to be shipping today for $499. If you'll recall, that's exactly what Apple was charging for the 1TB model yesterday, which has today stooped to just $299. As for that 500GB model? Looks like the clearance / refurbished section is your only option there, where it's currently listed for $199.

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 30th 2009 4:16PM]

Congoose - You're not very good at reading, are you? That Easystore PLUS everything else you would need to buy just to come to feature parity with the Time Capsule would cost more than $500. That's a simple fact. If you want to save money, you would go with the Time Capsule. Your opinion that Apple overcharges for everything has been formed by pure ignorance, and you might want to educate yourself a bit before posting again.

[louden Posted Jul 30th 2009 12:35PM]

Hack it! -

I did that with a refurb 500 GB Airport Extreme, and swapped in a WD 2TB drive... Nice and quiet.

[Konrad Posted Jul 30th 2009 1:25PM]

Or I could go to Newegg and buy 2 1.5TB drives for a total of $200 shipped.

No thanks.

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 30th 2009 1:53PM]

Then add a wireless N router, a gigabit switch and a print server. Because the Time Capsule does all that too.

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 30th 2009 1:27PM]

Awesome.... I just bought the 500 gig two weeks ago =(

[FMpro Posted Jul 30th 2009 4:33PM]

What they need to do is merge the appleTV functionality with the time capsule. I'd be all over that for $500.

[awholeian Posted Jul 30th 2009 1:45PM]

This is hilarious. Of all the people bitching and moaning, not one of you has posted hard numbers on a viable alternative. You all seem to think this is a nas or external drive or home server.

If you really think Apple is overpriced, why not back it up with some prices for an actual alternative, instead of just bashing Apple users. That way you might actually get someone to agree with you who didn't before.

A windows home server + dual band n router will be more than $500. A router w/ usb nas will be much slower. A router + nas will cost the same and be harder to set up.

Personally, I'd go the router + nas route, but I'll take the headaches to get the flexibility. Some people can't do that, and don't need it, so they get this.

[dosguy Posted Jul 30th 2009 2:20PM]

Up to 2TB of data on a single HD? If that sucker fails, you just lost one helluva lot of data, unless, of course, you regularly back up valuable stuff. And if you do that, you can get by a whole lot cheaper with a 500G drive.

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 30th 2009 2:54PM]

SIGH.

Really? You still haven't picked on the fact that Time Capsule is not just a hard drive in a case? You seem to be confused about a number of things. FIrst of all, the Time Capsule is intended AS a backup drive. If it dies you'll lose your BACKUP but not your main data. Second, it's a server grade HDD. That's not Apple's catchphrase, that's really what it is. Third, the Time Capsule is a lot more than a hard drive. It's also a dual band wireless N router, a gigabit switch and it has a USB port for more HDDs, a printer, whatever.

I really can't figure out how SO MANY PEOPLE here just have no idea what the Time Capsule is. Is going to apple.com just too hard for you or something?

[Professor Kaos Posted Jul 30th 2009 3:33PM]

Overpriced piece of apple bloated shit. How can people buy this? Im trying to be sincere, really people, get an external drive.

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 30th 2009 3:57PM]

Probably because people who buy it aren't as dumb as you are. Look at my post directly above yours to see why you're just the latest in a long string of idiots that have posted in this thread. Just an external drive? Really? Tool.

[Professor Kaos Posted Jul 30th 2009 4:12PM]

Still, buy a damn external , your a tool for bowing down to steve job's underparts and taking it. Run a freaking free daily backup software thats free , or write a simple script and get a 100 dollar TB drive, or 200 bucks for a server grade one, and since N is still draft and not much of the general public uses it or can afford the internet connection to make it feasible your argument is still full of crock shit. Go the fuck home loyal Apple user...

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 30th 2009 4:44PM]

"Still" what? The Time Capsule does a lot of things in one package. Believe it or not, some people actually like that. Now, first of all Time Machine IS FREE. Duh? Second, we're talking about a DUAL BAND wireless N router. Go right now and look up how much those cost. I don't care how much of the general populace uses them because that's completely irrelevant. Make sure it's also got a GIGABIT SWITCH on it, or price out a switch separately.

Then price out a SERVER GRADE 2TB HDD in an external case. Then come up with a separate solution to use as a print server, and make sure it has a USB port so you can attach your printer directly. Add up all the costs for that, then realize that the Time Capsule is not overpriced for what it offers, and it's also in one package instead of having 4 different devices like what you're suggesting.

Here's some friendly advice: Get a clue. Do it now.

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 30th 2009 3:49PM]

i ask myself from time to time, why do i stay current with anything electronic and most importantly knowing that i cant afford half the things being talked about. It's a passion i guess and technology never gets old (literally).

[dynebolik Posted Jul 30th 2009 3:57PM]

@ ZAK,

Don't waste your time or keystrokes trying to explain what the Time Capsule really is. Look at the user base of Apple vs the user base of Windows. Two different caliber of users. I'm starting to liken Windows fanboys to that of the Birther movement. No matter the facts, basis, or logical perspective you attempt to present to them, they just ignore it and keep chanting their "talking points" regardless of their inaccuracies.

At least with the Birther movement, you know that they're just a bunch of bigots and racists. I have no idea what the deal is with Windows fanboys; other than the fact that they probably sit behind the computer screen pleasuring themselves while foaming at the mouth waiting to comment on a system they don't own or never used.

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 30th 2009 4:01PM]

I always wonder why apple named such a storage device with the name "Time Capsule" - makes no sense to me at all. Why don't they call this thing "Time machine" or "Viagra" because there is no any relations between these names and a storage device.

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 30th 2009 4:04PM]

So what you're saying is that you were not aware that Apple's backup software built into OS X 10.5 is called Time Machine then? Time Capsule is intended to work directly with Time Machine. And for the love of god, it's not just a storage device. It's a storage device, a print server, a dual band wireless N router and a gigabit switch. Please get a clue, people. Seriously.

[Chris Dunning Posted Jul 30th 2009 4:30PM]

Okay, despite my comment about owning an HP MediaServer earlier, I decided to pick one of these puppies up this afternoon (hey, if I don't like it, I'll take it back before the return period is up). Took me 8 minutes to set it up, and that's including enabling my printer and two 750 gig WD MyBooks I had laying around (just plugged in a USB 2.0 hub that I almost gave away last Monday). I opted for the 2TB version because my internal drives amount to about 1TB, and I wanted room to grow. The integration with Time Machine is flawless, and I didn't have to fiddle around with the setup at all. My initial backup is awfully speedy over the 802.11 N.

I just printed a test page. Took very slightly longer then a locally connected printer, but I could hear it printing from the other room, and it was done before I got to the printer. No more USB cables to plug and unplug from my laptops. All of my media files were stored on one of the two WD drives, and I decided to make it my permanent iTunes folder location for my desktop. So far, audio streams without a hick-up, and 720p/1080p video encodes from Blu Ray seem to be doing just fine as well. Best part is, I got rid of my old router and I'll be selling my MediaServer to a buddy of mine who'd been drooling over it a while back.

Big question: Was it worth it? First, only time will really tell. I might not know if it was really worth it till the HDD in one of my laptops or my desktop go bad. The convenience of wireless printing, consolidating my backup solution and router into one device, and USB expandability seem like they're going to prove quite useful over the life of the Time Capsule.

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 30th 2009 4:42PM]

Finally, somebody who puts their money where their mouth is. Regardless of whether you end up sticking with it or not, you are to be commended for going out and trying it for yourself, and forming your own opinion based on experience.

[metric Posted Jul 31st 2009 12:10AM]

Zak takes it up the azz

[Chris Dunning Posted Jul 31st 2009 12:29AM]

Thank you for your contribution to this discussion, m3tric. I'm glad you have shared your insights in a constructive manner.

[(Unverified) Posted Aug 2nd 2009 3:59PM]

Chris, can you confirm that Apple are using the Hiatchi HD32000IDK7 2TB drive?

Hiatchi launches the 2 TB recently in july.

The Hiatchi drive is the only 2 TB drive which today offers 7200 rpm. Of course you can get a cheaper WD Green Caviar at 5200 rpm or a Seagate at 5900 rpm. The Hiatchi drive is also "server grade", which none of the other are categories as, meaning much lower failure rate than the WD or Seagate.

[wshwe Posted Jul 30th 2009 8:01PM]

I like most Apple products, but not Time Capsules. I'd rather buy a diskless Synology NAS, like the $110 1-bay DS109j, and install my own hard drive.

[(Unverified) Posted Aug 14th 2009 3:06PM]

Well, let me sun it up guys;

Facts:

1. It is not over-priced for US$ 199 to get an Apple-branded 1TB convenience & piece of art

2. It is nevertheless not cheap for people who does not appreciate the price of luxury and the price-conscious shoppers

3. It is a niched product brand for high(er) income disposable society and big spenders

Jesus bless you guys !