is it a good idea to use Time capsule 2TB if its life span is only 18 months!

[ansabakhan]

i just bought a 2TB time capsule , even on apples site it says its life span is only 18 months ! ... and after that it usually stop working and you pretty much lose every thing on it ! ...

it is a good idea to use time capsule provided it might only last for 18 months ... whats ur take on this ?:eek:

[bcrguy]

well no.. but then again data is not officially "backed up" untill its in at least 2 spots besides your hard drive..

check local computer shops for 1 TB external drives (if you really need 1TB) and if your willing make an external yourself.. i made my own external from an old 30 GB laptop drive for my backpack.. and i have 1TB sitting on my desk at home which i use for time machine (partitioned time machine for the 250 GB that my laptop needs.. the rest is usable space).. i bought the TB for a hundred bucks from walmart..

[ansabakhan]

well no.. but then again data is not officially "backed up" untill its in at least 2 spots besides your hard drive..

check local computer shops for 1 TB external drives (if you really need 1TB) and if your willing make an external yourself.. i made my own external from an old 30 GB laptop drive for my backpack.. and i have 1TB sitting on my desk at home which i use for time machine (partitioned time machine for the 250 GB that my laptop needs.. the rest is usable space).. i bought the TB for a hundred bucks from walmart..

that's a great idea ! ... i already bought a 2TB time capsule .. as i would want to share music wireless to 3 different computers in my home and thats the reason i did but 2TB time capsule ..but now after reading so many complains i am sort of worried and unsure about using it

[MacBoobsPro]

I bought the 1TB TC to use as my iTunes library. Now all its good for is a router because I'm not sure if it will die like the others. :mad:

[ansabakhan]

I bought the 1TB TC to use as my iTunes library. Now all its good for is a router because I'm not sure if it will die like the others. :mad:

how long have u been using it for ?

[MacBoobsPro]

how long have u been using it for ?

About 19 months :D

I went out and bought a FireWire external and put my library on that. I will eventually use the TC to back up the new external but it will take freakin ages to transfer the close to 700GB back to the TC so I need to find a time when I can keep everything running for around 24 hours with out people messing with things.

[ansabakhan]

About 19 months :D


so u are over a month from regular life spam i hope it keeps working....

i was hoping to hear from more users who have been using it for over 18 months!

[notjustjay]

Where is this "18 months" figure coming from? I thought these were supposed to be "server class" drives in the Time Capsule? :rolleyes:

[MacBoobsPro]

Where is this "18 months" figure coming from? I thought these were supposed to be "server class" drives in the Time Capsule? :rolleyes:

Its a pity the same cant be said about the power units. :p Its those that are apparently dying not the drive itself.

[AdamA9]

Apple Care :)

[MacBoobsPro]

Apple Care :)

thats no good when you cant access (in my case) £1000s of your stuff. If you open the drive you lose warranty/applecare. If you dont open it you lose £1000s of stuff.

I have AppleCare BTW.

[Hellhammer]

thats no good when you cant access (in my case) £1000s of your stuff. If you open the drive you lose warranty/applecare. If you dont open it you lose £1000s of stuff.

I have AppleCare BTW.

That's why you should backup your backups :p

[OllyW]

Apple Care :)

It only lasts for 12 months. In some cases Apple offered out of warranty replacements but not always (http://timecapsuledead.org/).

[ansabakhan]

It only lasts for 12 months. In some cases Apple offered out of warranty replacements but not always (http://timecapsuledead.org/).


i thought your time capsule is covered under ur computer imac/macbook pro ? so that means 3 years if you have extended apple care

[MacBoobsPro]

i thought your time capsule is covered under ur computer imac/macbook pro ? so that means 3 years if you have extended apple care

It is. You cant get AppleCare on a TC itself.

[AdamA9]

Sorry I meant the 3 year extended. Any why would you rely on one place to store £000s of stuff? Do you not have it in both your Mac and Time Capsule?

[OllyW]

i thought your time capsule is covered under ur computer imac/macbook pro ? so that means 3 years if you have extended apple care

You can't assume everyone who buys a Time Capsule is covered in this way. The standard warranty is still only 12 months.

[Hellhammer]

i thought your time capsule is covered under ur computer imac/macbook pro ? so that means 3 years if you have extended apple care

Yep, if you have AC in your Mac, your TC is also covered

[bcrguy]

that's a great idea ! ... i already bought a 2TB time capsule .. as i would want to share music wireless to 3 different computers in my home and thats the reason i did but 2TB time capsule ..but now after reading so many complains i am sort of worried and unsure about using it

im detecting sarcasm..lol

[ansabakhan]

Yep, if you have AC in your Mac, your TC is also covered


ok so how would they know ? lets say my TC stops working in 2 years .. i take it in the store... how would they know about my AC .. as the serial number is attached to the mac not the TC

[Hellhammer]

ok so how would they know ? lets say my TC stops working in 2 years .. i take it in the store... how would they know about my AC .. as the serial number is attached to the mac not the TC

You have to register the AppleCare in Apple's site so they'll know it's covered. You use the serial that came with your AppleCare

[ansabakhan]

You have to register the AppleCare in Apple's site so they'll know it's covered. You use the serial that came with your AppleCare


so do i do it separately for TC or if my imac is covered .. i am covered automatically on my TC as well ?

[Hellhammer]

so do i do it separately for TC or if my imac is covered .. i am covered automatically on my TC as well ?

You have to do it separately because Apple doesn't know you have iMac and TC. Go to this (https://selfsolve.apple.com/Agreements.do) page and register it and it'll be covered

[ansabakhan]

You have to do it separately because Apple doesn't know you have iMac and TC. Go to this (https://selfsolve.apple.com/Agreements.do) page and register it and it'll be covered

thanks will do ! ... do u have experience with TC ?

[Hellhammer]

thanks will do ! ... do u have experience with TC ?

Nope, couple of my friends have TC though. I have four externals but none of them is TC, three LaCies and one Philips.

[ansabakhan]

Nope, couple of my friends have TC though. I have four externals but none of them is TC, three LaCies and one Philips.

i am still waiting to hear from some one who have successfully used it for over 2 years !

[AdamA9]

thanks will do ! ... do u have experience with TC ?

I use a 2TB TC :)

[ansabakhan]

I use a 2TB TC :)

great! whats ur experience like ... ?

[OllyW]

great! whats ur experience like ... ?

He won't have successfully used it for over 2 years. :D

[ansabakhan]

He won't have successfully used it for over 2 years. :D

well 2 TB is not that old but may be some one who is using a 500GB since that long ?

[AdamA9]

great! whats ur experience like ... ?

Nothing really to report. Took 2 seconds to set up and install, and it's out of mind now as never had any issues with it. I run my 20mb internet through it, and it's backing up the iMac and MBA fine with no issues. I have my iPhone using it for WiFi and my xbox is also connected. :)

[djc6]

My 500GB time capsule lasted 1 year, 8 months, 16 days - slightly longer than the average on http://timecapsuledead.org/

I had AppleCare on my mac, but I didn't need it. I went into the store with my applecare info, my receipt, etc.. but once I showed them the time capsule they replaced it no questions asked. Unfortunately, it must happen a lot because they had refurbished brown-boxed 500GB TCs to hand out :) I was hoping for a new one!

I only used it for backups, so I didn't lose any data - it was still on the computer. If you're using the TC for storage and not backups, you can archive the TC to an external USB HD plugged into the TC - to backup the time capsule. What sucks is that you can't schedule the archive - you have to remember to perform it.

[ansabakhan]

Nothing really to report. Took 2 seconds to set up and install, and it's out of mind now as never had any issues with it. I run my 20mb internet through it, and it's backing up the iMac and MBA fine with no issues. I have my iPhone using it for WiFi and my xbox is also connected. :)

wow u are actually putting it to full use !

[notjustjay]

Wow, OK, I did some Googling.

Sounds to me like I'd want to try a different product. Personally I use a D-Link DNS-323. Not quite as "plug and play" as the Time Capsule but at least you have options, like being able to replace drives yourself and configure a RAID.

[archipellago]

18 months..?

you'd be lucky to get any apple product to last that long.

[AdamA9]

Wow, OK, I did some Googling.

Sounds to me like I'd want to try a different product. Personally I use a D-Link DNS-323. Not quite as "plug and play" as the Time Capsule but at least you have options, like being able to replace drives yourself and configure a RAID.

Just remember any external HD can fail. I was going to buy another make based on the stories about the TC, but then since I was getting an iMac and TC I figured I was safe with the extended AC to cover me for three years. If it's still working by then, or I'm on the second one, I don't mind. I know I have three years of backing up my iMac before I'd need to worrk about 'what-ifs'. :)

[bobob]

i just bought a 2TB time capsule , even on apples site it says its life span is only 18 months !

Where is this "18 months" figure coming from?

Can you provide the link to where Apple says this on their site, please. Thanks in advance! :)

------------------------------------

Plus, DaringFireball's compelling recent article (http://daringfireball.net/2010/03/ode_to_diskwarrior_superduper_dropbox) on effective back-up strategy.

[notjustjay]

Just remember any external HD can fail. I was going to buy another make based on the stories about the TC, but then since I was getting an iMac and TC I figured I was safe with the extended AC to cover me for three years. If it's still working by then, or I'm on the second one, I don't mind. I know I have three years of backing up my iMac before I'd need to worrk about 'what-ifs'. :)

Yeah, it's better than nothing for sure. And the best approach is to have multiple backups so that if any one fails, you're still OK.

I guess for me the question is, when the device fails (not if), what can I do with it? It sounds like with the TC you either send it in for repair under AppleCare, if you have it, or else you're just stuck. And if you do send it in, they can't guarantee your data comes back with the repaired (replaced?) unit.

So at the very least I would personally want a device where I could replace the hard drive myself. If the drive fails, I can swap out with a new one. If the unit fails in some other way (power supply etc.) then I can at least pull the drive and keep using it in something else.

[ansabakhan]

Can you provide the link to where Apple says this on their site, please. Thanks in advance! :)

------------------------------------

Plus, DaringFireball's compelling recent article (http://daringfireball.net/2010/03/ode_to_diskwarrior_superduper_dropbox) on effective back-up strategy.

right where u can click BUY NOW for TC on apple.com
http://store.apple.com/us/questions/product/MC343LL/A?mco=MTMzNzcxMDk
right under that there are question and answers and this is the 1st question there!

What is the average life span of 2TB time capsule? Do you lose access to your data if your Mac fails and you have to get a new computer??

[BlackViper]

http://www.apple.com/support/products/mac.html

AC covers your apple router so long as it was purchased up to 2 years before your Mac. I would guess this works even if the router died in the 12 month period between it's own warranty expiring and the new Mac purchase. AC does NOT cover Data in any form, it's on you to have a reliable backup strategy.

[bcrguy]

18 months..?

you'd be lucky to get any apple product to last that long.

i have 2 macs at home that are 3 years old (bought them used) and they both still work flawlessly..

[ansabakhan]

http://www.apple.com/support/products/mac.html

AC covers your apple router so long as it was purchased up to 2 years before your Mac. I would guess this works even if the router died in the 12 month period between it's own warranty expiring and the new Mac purchase. AC does NOT cover Data in any form, it's on you to have a reliable backup strategy.

no one covers data .. but the would replace ur TC i suppose if u have 3 years AC

[theBB]

18 months..?

you'd be lucky to get any apple product to last that long.
More than 4 years from my iMac and so far so good...

You would be quite dumb to purchase any Apple product if you really believe what you are claiming and even dumber to hang out at these forums.

[ansabakhan]

More than 4 years from my iMac and so far so good...

You would be quite dumb to purchase any Apple product if you really believe what you are claiming and even dumber to hang out at these forums.

lol

[notjustjay]

18 months..?

you'd be lucky to get any apple product to last that long.

Heck, I still have a couple of Macintosh SE's in the basement, and they work just as well now as when they were last in active service, 20 years ago.

My 12" PowerBook G4 was the best little computer I ever owned, it went from 2003 to 2008 before I sold it, but only because I wanted something faster (e.g. Intel). Apart from replacing a hard drive which died after 5 years, it was still in perfect shape. In fact, resale value at the time was still in the high $500's.

[ansabakhan]

Heck, I still have a couple of Macintosh SE's in the basement, and they work just as well now as when they were last in active service, 20 years ago.

My 12" PowerBook G4 was the best little computer I ever owned, it went from 2003 to 2008 before I sold it, but only because I wanted something faster (e.g. Intel). Apart from replacing a hard drive which died after 5 years, it was still in perfect shape. In fact, resale value at the time was still in the high $500's.

i feel soooo much better reading this .. me = some one who have ended a long relationship with dell cause of there poor customer service

[emptyCup]

i am still waiting to hear from some one who have successfully used it for over 2 years !

I bought mine in January of '08. Not only have I had no problems but I have not seen a single thread on this topic, including this one, where people say their Time Capsule died in 18 months. All I ever see are people quoting other people quoting various click-baiting internet sites.

If your personal TC died please post how long it lasted. If I knew how to make a poll I would do that. Thanks.

[IndustrialSpace]

i just bought a 2TB time capsule , even on apples site it says its life span is only 18 months ! ... and after that it usually stop working and you pretty much lose every thing on it ! ...

it is a good idea to use time capsule provided it might only last for 18 months ... whats ur take on this ?:eek:


Apple states that TC will only work for 18 months?

That sounds ridiculous.

[IndustrialSpace]

18 months..?

you'd be lucky to get any apple product to last that long.


I agree. Things seem like they can only get worse!

The manufacturing defects keep increasing with Apple products. Especially that iMac. nothingbut problem after problem.

Quality has REALLY gone down with Apple computers.

[ansabakhan]

Apple states that TC will only work for 18 months?

That sounds ridiculous.


apple didnt say it ! ... its writing on apple.com right on the page where you order one! in the Q&A

[djc6]

I doubt that 18 month figure is official. Thats just what the news sites have been saying in response to the droves of dead TCs out here:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Time_Capsule_(Apple)#Failures
http://www.tuaw.com/2009/09/11/are-apple-time-capsules-out-of-time/
http://www.pcworld.com/article/173675/users_complain_as_apple_time_capsules_die_young.html
http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9139367/Dying_Apple_Time_Capsules_spark_complaints
http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/blog/2009/nov/04/apple-time-capsule-failures-early
http://www.crunchgear.com/2009/09/11/apples-time-capsules-croak-after-18-months/
http://www.geek.com/articles/apple/apple-time-capsules-dying-by-the-droves-after-18-months-20091012/

http://timecapsuledead.org/ reports an average a little longer - 19 months, 20 days.

[MacBoobsPro]

Its not Apple that says it only lasts 18 months. Its a forum member on Apples website.

Just spoke to Apple Customer Care regarding AppleCare. I wasnt aware you had to register it. Turns out I didnt have to any way because it automatically registers when bought with a Mac. :)

[ansabakhan]

Its not Apple that says it only lasts 18 months. Its a forum member on Apples website.

Just spoke to Apple Customer Care regarding AppleCare. I wasnt aware you had to register it. Turns out I didnt have to any way because it automatically registers when bought with a Mac. :)

what if u buy it separately like i did ? and not even from apple it self .. i bought t else where

[steve2112]

apple didnt say it ! ... its writing on apple.com right on the page where you order one! in the Q&A

Those are answers "from the community". Those are just normal users answering questions, just like here. None of those are official Apple answers.

[ansabakhan]

Those are answers "from the community". Those are just normal users answering questions, just like here. None of those are official Apple answers.


yes..but its input from the users ..and most of the has the pretty much the same story ... i wonder why its always 18 months ?

[bobob]

i wonder why its always 18 months ?

The Time Capsule was first released 24 months ago on February 29th, 2008.

Only the early adopters of the 1st generation TC's would have owned it longer than 18 months so far, and out of them only the ones with problems would have reported it. The Time Capsule is currently on it's 4th generation, which (hopefully) has improved the design based on early reported problems.

[ACKRITE]

I was the owner of a 1TB TimeCapsule. I was sold this unit by someone at the Apple store, as I need random access for my iTunes Library (not a volume for back up) and a wireless router.

It worked well for about 9 months and then crashed. The router portion continued to function normally, but the HD was inaccessible. I "lost" about 420GB of music (I say "lost" because I had about 380GB of the 420 on physical media). Apple took care of covering me, but could do no data recovery...quotes for which were ranging from $800 - $1200 (if I wanted the unit "maintained" to the point which Apple would let me swap it out for credit). It turns out that Apple designs the TCs not for random access (i.e., iTunes Library storage) but solely for backup/archiving purposes - despite them being an external HD.

I will no longer ever by an External HD that cannot be configured for RAID 1. While I was able to re-rip most of my music off the physical CDs again, it took months to do so.

I now use 2 WD MyBook Studio Edition II 2TB externals via FW800. One is set to RAID 1 (1TB) for iTunes content only, the other is set for RAID 0 and is used as my "TC" for TimeMachine backups.

Thanks,

[WilliamG]

I have 2 x 500GB Time Capsule still working perfectly, 2 years later. Also have a 1TB dual-band Time Capsule, still working perfectly.

[HLdan]

yes..but its input from the users ..and most of the has the pretty much the same story ... i wonder why its always 18 months ?

Sorry, this is not meant to offend you, but I think it's a bit naive on your part to take the word from users that are posting on Apple's website. You have no idea how people take care of their stuff and if you have any experience on MR you'd understand that the people that are vocal are in a small minority and the people with good experiences don't post.

Man, you scared me for a minute because I've had my TC since January 2008 when it was first announced and I've had no issues with it whatsoever. Please make sure you post valid information when making statements saying, "Apple's own website says it will last 18 months". Customer feedback is not a valid statement from Apple's website.

[IndustrialSpace]

Sorry, this is not meant to offend you, but I think it's a bit naive on your part to take the word from users that are posting on Apple's website. You have no idea how people take care of their stuff and if you have any experience on MR you'd understand that the people that are vocal are in a small minority and the people with good experiences don't post.

Man, you scared me for a minute because I've had my TC since January 2008 when it was first announced and I've had no issues with it whatsoever. Please make sure you post valid information when making statements saying, "Apple's own website says it will last 18 months". Customer feedback is not a valid statement from Apple's website.

My WD external crashed after 2 years. Be careful. If I were you, I'd look into a new external, pronto. Never know if your TC is about to fail.

[ansabakhan]

Sorry, this is not meant to offend you, but I think it's a bit naive on your part to take the word from users that are posting on Apple's website. You have no idea how people take care of their stuff and if you have any experience on MR you'd understand that the people that are vocal are in a small minority and the people with good experiences don't post.

Man, you scared me for a minute because I've had my TC since January 2008 when it was first announced and I've had no issues with it whatsoever. Please make sure you post valid information when making statements saying, "Apple's own website says it will last 18 months". Customer feedback is not a valid statement from Apple's website.

i see what you are saying.... sorry for scaring you i didnt mean you i would be spending my next 20 months hoping it dosnt fail .. on that positive note it might work for 18 months alteast

[HLdan]

My WD external crashed after 2 years. Be careful. If I were you, I'd look into a new external, pronto. Never know if your TC is about to fail.

I have multiple externals. My Time Capsule is used for Time Machine backups, however each Mac that's using it has the original files on them, I keep the same files on each Mac so that's extra backup, plus my WD 1TB external. Also I have Applecare on my Macs so it's not like the TC can't be easily replaced. However you're right and the OP is right to be concerned since the TC is used everyday, all day, however it is a server class hard drive.

[The Hammer]

I was the owner of a 1TB TimeCapsule. I was sold this unit by someone at the Apple store, as I need random access for my iTunes Library (not a volume for back up) and a wireless router.

It worked well for about 9 months and then crashed. The router portion continued to function normally, but the HD was inaccessible. I "lost" about 420GB of music (I say "lost" because I had about 380GB of the 420 on physical media). Apple took care of covering me, but could do no data recovery...quotes for which were ranging from $800 - $1200 (if I wanted the unit "maintained" to the point which Apple would let me swap it out for credit). It turns out that Apple designs the TCs not for random access (i.e., iTunes Library storage) but solely for backup/archiving purposes - despite them being an external HD.

I will no longer ever by an External HD that cannot be configured for RAID 1. While I was able to re-rip most of my music off the physical CDs again, it took months to do so.

I now use 2 WD MyBook Studio Edition II 2TB externals via FW800. One is set to RAID 1 (1TB) for iTunes content only, the other is set for RAID 0 and is used as my "TC" for TimeMachine backups.

Thanks,So an Airport Extreme and a WD MyBook Studio Edition II 2TB would be a suitable alternative to a 2 TB Time Capsule ?

[WilliamG]

So an Airport Extreme and a WD MyBook Studio Edition II 2TB would be a suitable alternative to a 2 TB Time Capsule ?

Absolutely.

[CJS7070]

Well, if you've already got it, isn't it more useful to use it than not?

[yoak]

So an Airport Extreme and a WD MyBook Studio Edition II 2TB would be a suitable alternative to a 2 TB Time Capsule ?

That's what I have at home. 1T though. Use it for my wife's TM so she dosent have to plug her MacBook into anything to do backups

[lionheartednyhc]

what if u buy it separately like i did ? and not even from apple it self .. i bought t else where

If you buy it with the comp, its registered automatically. Otherwise, you need to do it.

[Keleko]

My 1st gen TC 500GB has worked just fine since I bought it in March 2008. I bought it when they were available, though it was a few weeks after I got my MBP. If I remember correctly, there was a bit of a delay before the first Time Capsules were shipping.

When this one does die I will certainly buy another one. I won't actually lose any data because it only contains backups of my and my wife's Macs. I have Apple Care on it and my MBP, so I still have just under a year where I'm still covered.

[Prom1]

Sorry, this is not meant to offend you, but I think it's a bit naive on your part to take the word from users that are posting on Apple's website. You have no idea how people take care of their stuff and if you have any experience on MR you'd understand that the people that are vocal are in a small minority and the people with good experiences don't post.

Man, you scared me for a minute because I've had my TC since January 2008 when it was first announced and I've had no issues with it whatsoever. Please make sure you post valid information when making statements saying, "Apple's own website says it will last 18 months". Customer feedback is not a valid statement from Apple's website.


Sorry but several hundred users from various parts of the world and using TC with their Macs - along with 40+ pages of the SAME issue - cannot ALL be using their TC the SAME way or taking care of it the SAME way. To think that would also be naive. There is not much to take care of TC; just connect it to a UPS with surge protection and don't let anything having static charge near it and not in a room with serious dust issues. Still your post is great input.

The HDD is not the issue; its the power supply.

I'm considering the LaCie Network Space 2; its sleek and adds a menu bar add on. Random access is allowed and TM compatible with iTunes library sharing. My main concern is getting this to work with my existing DLink WiFi router.

Has anyone used the LaCie Network Space 2?? :cool:

[bobob]

Well, if you've already got it, isn't it more useful to use it than not?

If you've already got a liferaft with a hole in it, isn't it more useful to use it than not? ;)

http://www.oceanhippie.net/content/pic/gal/Silly%20ARC/sunk.jpg

[OllyW]

I'm considering the LaCie Network Space 2; its sleek and adds a menu bar add on. Random access is allowed and TM compatible with iTunes library sharing. My main concern is getting this to work with my existing DLink WiFi router.

Has anyone used the LaCie Network Space 2?? :cool:

Have you seen this review (http://www.smallnetbuilder.com/nas/nas-reviews/31082-lacie-network-space-2-reviewed)?

[Prom1]

http://www.apple.com/support/products/mac.html

AC covers your apple router so long as it was purchased up to 2 years before your Mac. I would guess this works even if the router died in the 12 month period between it's own warranty expiring and the new Mac purchase. AC does NOT cover Data in any form, it's on you to have a reliable backup strategy.

I have a great feeling that Apple's grant for a server/storage cloud farm in Illinois in the next 2yrs will somehow combine Me.com with a cloud version of TimeCapsule. I'm praying!