Going to buy this new baby, but both my MBA and retina MBP do not have ethernet port. I know the initial time machine backup will take long long time if done with wireless, my question, can it be done via the USB port? I think even at USB 2.0, the speed should still be fast than ac wireless.
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New airport time capsule, can the initial time machine backup done via USB?
- Thread starter riverwater
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I don't believe any TC can use its USB for time machine. Its an external USB for disk or printer.
As others have said, the USB ports are only for external hard drives and/or printers.
Having the two portables you might invest in a USB or Thunderbolt ethernet adapter. They're $29 and can be life savers in the odd times when Wifi is either down or not free, as many hotels still charge for wireless yet have free ethernet access available. In this instance too you would likely but your initial backup time in half by using one.
You can use a USB disk connected to the TC port for TM backups. I've done it for years. I don't think, off hand, that you can first connect the USB disk to the Laptop, do a backup, then connected the disk to the TC and point the laptop TM to the image. I think the drive needs to be formatted by the TC if you want to use it for TM backups (at least for most reliability). But it may depend on what OS you are running. 10.8.4 has more flexibility.
How big are the hard drives that need to be backed up? It may not take as long as you think.
How big are the hard drives that need to be backed up? It may not take as long as you think.