I'm considering replacing my router (Asus RT-AC68U) with a Time Capsule, but I noticed that the current model is already 2,5+ years old. Looking at the Time Capsule refreshes of the past, it would seem that the next one is upon us in 2016. Do you think a refresh, or even a redesign, will happen this year? Would it make sense waiting a few months instead of buying it now? Would there be any possible features worth waiting for? I'd love to hear your advice.
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Does it make sense waiting for a Time Capsule refresh?
- Thread starter daanodinot
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I wouldn't look for a refresh anytime soon--nothing new to add really so you should be fine buying current version.
Probably won't see anything new until they can add 802.11ad, and that won't happen anytime soon. Definitely not in '16.
I would agree with the above two posters.
Do you know about Apple's online refurbished store? Save about $120 on a TC there. Just like new, same warranty, etc. Definitely get it there.
I picked up a 2TB model a few months ago, opened it up and replaced the drive with a 5TB drive. It's been great.
Do you know about Apple's online refurbished store? Save about $120 on a TC there. Just like new, same warranty, etc. Definitely get it there.
I picked up a 2TB model a few months ago, opened it up and replaced the drive with a 5TB drive. It's been great.
I live in the Netherlands, and unfortunately the number of refurbished items in the Dutch online store is pretty much zero. Elsewhere, I can only find a few used products on offer. I guess the TC must be pretty darn good.
In any case, thanks for your help. Since you're all unanimous about not expecting any updates soon, I'll most certainly be purchasing a TC in the coming weeks. It's now just a matter of buying one new from a store or waiting for a great used offer.
- Not to throw you too much off course here, but you might consider an alternative: AirPort Extreme with stand-alone external USB hard drive. Same functionality but cheaper and more flexible (though a bit less elegant).
If you place a wireless router by a wall the consider making a diy parabolic using aluminum foil, glue and a wok or bent cardboard. Make the cardboard in the parabolic shape, then some sheets of foil and glue the foil onto the shaped cardboard. Then once trimming the overhand foil is best to do. Then place that parabolic shape and but it between the router and the wall. Move it back and forth to the attennas to get the maximum good signal.
This video will show you the benefits of doing this.
This video will show you the benefits of doing this.
I've thought long and hard about it, convincing myself not to buy it, but in the end I could see no better solution for me than the 3TB Time Capsule. It's expensive, but so far I haven't regretted my decision. 
I would not purchase any TC. I would only go with Extreme units and hook up library and backup drives to it. Drives are much more likely to fail than the Extreme unit. With external drives you can swap and expand the drives as you wish.
It's indeed a risk that the hard drive can fail, but in the same way the hard drive inside my iMac can fail. So I just trust that Apple has made it as reliable as they possibly can. But yes, the best reason to buy the TC is probably the mere fact that it has the hard drive built in instead of external.
As an aside, I must say that it feels pretty magical (sorry!) to forget about backing up and discovering that it has been backing up your data automatically over your network. I've done manual backups all my life so it's an odd feeling.
I've thought long and hard about it, convincing myself not to buy it, but in the end I could see no better solution for me than the 3TB Time Capsule. It's expensive, but so far I haven't regretted my decision.
Consider try AirPort Extreme without the HDD.
I went through the same decisions recently.
My concern about the TC, seagate drives, and once out of warranty it's not the easiest job to open up a TC and replace the drive. Though I'm even cool with that, it's having my backups on seagate drives, I'm no happy with.
If you just get the AirPort Extreme, you can plug any reputable drive into the USB.
Ideally I would recommend a NAS for backups, and a drive to backup the NAS.
The airport is a very nice bit of kit, the drive.....mhhh. Now a time capsule with a reliable drive, thumbs up!
Lol. Because any man that isn't single living in their shed will want (or be permitted by their partner) this ugly monstrosity in their house.
I'm very happy with my TC and am considering a refurbished unit when the time comes to replace my current TC. Which BTW is a 2008 gen 1 that has been flawless since I installed it 8 years ago.