Time Capsule or Airport Extreme w/External Hard Drive?

[lakewoodhiker]

Quick question....

I just spec'd out a new macbook pro and will be ordering it tomorrow. One of the things that I am also going to do is upgrade my wireless in my apartment. I currently have a first generation 13" macbook and a wireless G network. I first thought, "ooh, I'll get a time capsule, and then not only will i have a wireless N network, but a 500GB drive to back up my laptop using time machine"

the more I started thinking about it though, the more I thought it might be better to simply buy the airport extreme, and plug in an external drive separately. this way I can remove it if I want, take it with me if I want, and still have an airport station in my apartment. I can run my printer from either, so that is not an issue.

I guess what I'm asking, is there any significant benefit of getting the time capsule over simply getting an airport extreme with an external drive?

Thanks everyone!

-j

[vorkorsigan]

Before you buy the AEBS have a look at the threads on setting up the external drive for Time Machine. It took me a month of trial and error to get it working although once I did it has been very simple to use. It is backing up as I type. The solution for me is in this thread.

http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=578414

I have seen some discussion of problems with Time Capsule as well but as I went the AEBS route I haven't spent time on this. This was my choice as I wanted to ensure that I had an upgrade route and I have a stack of old drives which I could use for back-ups.

Hope this helps

[11800506]

I would say go for the AEBS since in the future if you ever wanted to attach a larger drive you easily could. Swapping out drives from the Time Capsule likely isn't as easy and voids your warrenty.

[mlts22]

I think you can also attach a hard disk to the Time Capsule as well via its USB port.

[jampat]

I went with time capsule. It saves a plug and has less crap cluttering up the desk. I have an external HD that I use sometimes, but it only comes out when I need it. The time capsule just holds backups, not anything that I actually need away from the apartment. When I bought it, you'd have to work hard to get AEBS + 500 gig external for the same price as the 500 TC, I'm not sure how the pricing is now though. TC has fewer hassles to get it working, but you do lose the ability to quickly and easily pull the hard drive off and take it with you if you want. It all comes down to personal preference, both ways work. You can always add an external HD to TC if you want.

[Le Big Mac]

^^ Agree. Unless you have an external HD or an AEBS already, I think it's easier and just as cost-effective to buy a TC.

[lakewoodhiker]

Thanks for all the input everyone.

-j