Looking for wireless hard drive - use in addition to Time Capsule? Recommendatations?

dotb · Dec 27, 2012, 12:47 AM

I am thinking about getting a 2TB Time Capsule so that I can use Time Machine regularly - but I also want to store all of my iPhoto and iTunes stuff on an external hard drive as I have been discouraged from partitioning Time Capsule by Apple Geniuses and a few threads I have read (plus could probably use the extra space a second hard drive would afford). Can I do this? Is there a hard drive anyone would recommend? Or should I not get Time Capsule at all and try some other configuration connected to an Airport Extreme? I think 2 TB of dedicated "user" storage is all I need for the next year or so.

Any advice is appreciated.

Richdmoore · 11:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dotb

I am thinking about getting a 2TB Time Capsule so that I can use Time Machine regularly - but I also want to store all of my iPhoto and iTunes stuff on an external hard drive as I have been discouraged from partitioning Time Capsule by Apple Geniuses and a few threads I have read (plus could probably use the extra space a second hard drive would afford). Can I do this? Is there a hard drive anyone would recommend? Or should I not get Time Capsule at all and try some other configuration connected to an Airport Extreme? I think 2 TB of dedicated "user" storage is all I need for the next year or so.

Any advice is appreciated.

On my airport extreme, I can plug in a USB hard drive, and use it for additional storage (although I don't believe it is recommended to use with time machine backups.)

http://pondini.org/TM/Airport.html

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT2421

You can still get the time capsule, use the whole internal hard drive for your backups. You can then hook an inexpensive USB drive to the time capsule's USB port and use the full usb hard drive for your other storage.

glenthompson · Dec 27, 2012, 06:17 PM

My choice was to go with a Mac Mini server but that's a bit more expensive. Another option is to get one of the compatible NAS devices on the market. How many machines are you backing up to the prospective device? If it's just one, use an external hard drive.

I'm not a big fan of the time capsule since it's limiting and expensive for what you get. Hard to upgrade when you need more space.

dotb · Dec 29, 2012, 03:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by glenthompson

My choice was to go with a Mac Mini server but that's a bit more expensive. Another option is to get one of the compatible NAS devices on the market. How many machines are you backing up to the prospective device? If it's just one, use an external hard drive.

I'm not a big fan of the time capsule since it's limiting and expensive for what you get. Hard to upgrade when you need more space.

A belated thanks for the reply. I am just backing up one machine for now - 128gb and then ideally whatever is on my external "storage" drive.

----------

Quote:

Originally Posted by Richdmoore

On my airport extreme, I can plug in a USB hard drive, and use it for additional storage (although I don't believe it is recommended to use with time machine backups.)

http://pondini.org/TM/Airport.html

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT2421

You can still get the time capsule, use the whole internal hard drive for your backups. You can then hook an inexpensive USB drive to the time capsule's USB port and use the full usb hard drive for your other storage.

Thanks for the ideas - those links are great!!!

blueroom · Dec 29, 2012, 03:18 PM

Get a Synology NAS instead of the TM.

dotb · Dec 29, 2012, 03:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blueroom

Get a Synology NAS instead of the TM.

Yeah Glen's post got me thinking about that. Thanks for a name to look at - totally new stuff for me.

blueroom · Dec 29, 2012, 03:55 PM

If you have a router with Ethernet ports the DS212j or any of the DS213 series (you don't need the Air version).
Mine is setup with the primary drive for everything except TM (that's on the secondary drive). Works like a charm and does so much more than a TM. Easy to setup and use too.

dotb · Dec 29, 2012, 05:09 PM

Cool thanks will check those out for sure! Seems like as I look into it there is a strong faction of people who dislike Time Capsule - I was only looking at it because I thought there would be ease of use for what I want to do (I still think I will get an airport extreme)

Dec 27, 2012, 12:47 AM	#1
dotb macrumors newbie Join Date: Dec 2012	Looking for wireless hard drive - use in addition to Time Capsule? Recommendatations? I am thinking about getting a 2TB Time Capsule so that I can use Time Machine regularly - but I also want to store all of my iPhoto and iTunes stuff on an external hard drive as I have been discouraged from partitioning Time Capsule by Apple Geniuses and a few threads I have read (plus could probably use the extra space a second hard drive would afford). Can I do this? Is there a hard drive anyone would recommend? Or should I not get Time Capsule at all and try some other configuration connected to an Airport Extreme? I think 2 TB of dedicated "user" storage is all I need for the next year or so. Any advice is appreciated.
	0

Dec 27, 2012, 06:17 PM	#3
glenthompson macrumors 6502 Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Roanoke VA	My choice was to go with a Mac Mini server but that's a bit more expensive. Another option is to get one of the compatible NAS devices on the market. How many machines are you backing up to the prospective device? If it's just one, use an external hard drive. I'm not a big fan of the time capsule since it's limiting and expensive for what you get. Hard to upgrade when you need more space. __________________ 15" MacBook Pro (late 2011), iPhone 5 iPad 3rd gen, iPod Touch 3rd gen,ATV3 Snow Leopard Server 5TB
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Dec 29, 2012, 03:18 PM	#5
blueroom macrumors 601 Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Toronto, Canada	Get a Synology NAS instead of the TM. __________________ My iOS devices are not jailbroken. Bill My Blog
	0

Dec 29, 2012, 03:55 PM	#7
blueroom macrumors 601 Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Toronto, Canada	If you have a router with Ethernet ports the DS212j or any of the DS213 series (you don't need the Air version). Mine is setup with the primary drive for everything except TM (that's on the secondary drive). Works like a charm and does so much more than a TM. Easy to setup and use too. __________________ My iOS devices are not jailbroken. Bill My Blog
	0

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Dec 29, 2012, 05:09 PM	#8
dotb Thread Starter macrumors newbie Join Date: Dec 2012	Cool thanks will check those out for sure! Seems like as I look into it there is a strong faction of people who dislike Time Capsule - I was only looking at it because I thought there would be ease of use for what I want to do (I still think I will get an airport extreme)
	0