Time Capsule 3TB so overpriced, don't buy!

[nizmoz]

It's upsetting to see everyone gloss over one important factor. Time Capsule uses enterprise grade hard drives. You can't compare these to your P.O.S. Seagate consumer drives. They offer cooler performance meaning they last longer. Check out the Western Digital RE4 as an example. These drives cost more because they're built to higher standards, enterprise standards.

My experience? I'm a network administrator.

Wow a network admin and you saying that? I am also a network admin and know for a fact it is not using enterprise class HD's. If it was, it would have a SCSI in it.

Either way, they are the same HD's we can purchase anywhere.

You sir are with all respect, extremely wrong. They aren't like your consumer drives.

It should also be added that LaCie's external consumer grade 2TB cost $499 for just the drive and enclosure.

People if you can't afford it then go out and buy consumer drives that have a shorter life span and are made cheaper.

Actually you are. Another user above proved you wrong with a link. Suggest actually researching before you post something again.

But but... Apple lied to me? Sorry for the trolling but I agree. Apple is rediculous for thinking they can get away with this highway robbery!

RESEARCH.....and doubt you are a network admin from this topic from what we gather from you.

 

[aristobrat]

I am also a network admin and know for a fact it is not using enterprise class HD's. If it was, it would have a SCSI in it.

FWIW, there are server-grade non-SCSI drives out there, so I wouldn't use "SCSI" as your only qualifier as for what's server-grade and what's not.

Also, remember to use the multi-quote feature when doing multiple sequential replies. It saves the mods from coming behind you and combining them into one post, like the MacRumors mods do.

 

[Battlefield Fan]

Wow a network admin and you saying that? I am also a network admin and know for a fact it is not using enterprise class HD's. If it was, it would have a SCSI in it.

Either way, they are the same HD's we can purchase anywhere.



Actually you are. Another user above proved you wrong with a link. Suggest actually researching before you post something again.



RESEARCH.....and doubt you are a network admin from this topic from what we gather from you.

I think you skipped over the part where I said I was trolling. I found the title to be a little obvious. And yes I really am a sys/network admin. Thank you very much!

 

[nizmoz]

FWIW, there are server-grade non-SCSI drives out there, so I wouldn't use "SCSI" as your only qualifier as for what's server-grade and what's not.

Also, remember to use the multi-quote feature when doing multiple sequential replies. It saves the mods from coming behind you and combining them into one post, like the MacRumors mods do.

I am aware of that, I just threw that out there as most servers have SCSI drive systems. Cheaper ones have SATA solutions.

 

[nizmoz]

I think you skipped over the part where I said I was trolling. I found the title to be a little obvious. And yes I really am a sys/network admin. Thank you very much!

After you were proved wrong yes you said that because you got caught being wrong. Either way, you were wrong and not just trolling.

 

[orfeas0]

Unless things have changed, TC internal and external storage are completely separate and when your internal TC drive fills up with your Time Machine backups, the TC doesn't have a way to use the space on the external storage to continue expanding your Time Machine backups.

So in that aspect, adding external storage isn't a solution at all.

Remember when the $499 model only had 1TB? lol

I don't think you can have backups of 2TB on time machine, unless you have 3 macs in your home but then again, if you have TM+external, you can store your movies, big files etc on the external (wirelessly) so you won't have that big backups in the TM.
The problem is TM only has 1 usb, and I think apple did that on purpose. The purpose? If you want a printer connected to TM, you can't have an external too. = Need to buy 3tb tm

 

[r0k]

My reason for saying "don't buy" would not be about the price. I have a 1st gen 500GB Time Capsule. At about 18 months life it died. Apple replaced it but all my data was lost forever. I suppose I should have asked them if I could take out the drive and get my data off before sending it in but I didn't think I would lose anything. Then my daughter's machine died while the TC was being replaced. Bummer. All her stuff is just plain gone. I now use the TC with an external WD drive. I also use crashplan. I also have a LaCie NAS drive for "manual copy" backups.

I'm sure Apple has corrected whatever caused my TC to die but I'd still rather have an AEBS and a usb drive so that if the AEBS died, I'd still have my data and if the drive died I'd still have my router. The cost? An extra brick. I think I can live with that.

 

[usptact]

Over-priced, under-priced .. whatever! It depends on the amount of your salary.

Apple is very smart at creating the "needs". This is where they put so-called Apple tax.

I need backups. I do backups. I am not lazy to attach an external USB drive and let Time Machine do the rest.

For others this may be different due to different reasons and i respect that.

I have a simple and cheap solution which works well for me. Period.

 

[radiohed]

I do agree that the 3TB version is over priced , but I have a 500GB Time Capsule that was $299 so the 2TB version seems reasonable considering how well these things work. If mine fails, I will definately get another Time Capsule as it is a good backup solution for me.

 

[7thMac]

The Time Capsule is appealing but is not the best backup solution. Buy two external drives and rotate them out periodically. Store one off-site when not in use.

 

[Anonymous Freak]

Yes, Apple charges significantly more than the actual incremental cost should be. This has been true since the beginning of time (or at least the beginning of Apple offering multiple option levels on their products.) This has been known just as long.

What you are paying for is the convenience of having it already in there. If that amount of money isn't worth the convenience to you, then don't buy it.

Yes, you could get three 3 TB hard drives for the price of one 3 TB Time Capsule. You could even get a 2 TB Time Capsule plus a 3 TB drive for the cost of a 3 TB Time Capsule. Now that that has been said, this thread is done.

(Have you priced flash memory recently? Do you really think it costs Apple $70 for 24 GB of flash that is the price difference between the lowest and middle iPod touch?)

While we're at it, the AirPort Extreme is essentially the same thing as a Time Capsule, only without the built-in hard drive, and it's only $179. So you're paying $120 to 'upgrade' to a 2 TB internal hard drive, or $320 to 'upgrade' to a 3 TB internal hard drive. So there, complain about that, while you're at it.

 

[Young Spade]

Over-priced, under-priced .. whatever! It depends on the amount of your salary.

Apple is very smart at creating the "needs". This is where they put so-called Apple tax.

I need backups. I do backups. I am not lazy to attach an external USB drive and let Time Machine do the rest.

For others this may be different due to different reasons and i respect that.

I have a simple and cheap solution which works well for me. Period.

This is how I feel. I have 2 320gb harddrives and I just deleted all the crap off of one to use for Time Machine. I erased it, formatted it, and am now using an 80 dollar harddrive as my time capsule. Cheap, efficient, and it just works.

Of course, for those with multiple computers and who don't want a harddrive sitting right next to them every once in a while or have more sensitive information, the TC makes for a great solution.

 

[freedevil]

I think the Time Capsule is a waste of money but more importantly pointless. What is the warranty on the hdd? I read somewhere if the hdd dies the router doesn't function. If there isn't a 5 year warranty on the hdd its pointless buying and risking your router going down for such a pricy cost. Jus get the extreme and plug an external in. I have the first gen extreme its still going strong.

 

[Young Spade]

I think the Time Capsule is a waste of money but more importantly pointless. What is the warranty on the hdd? I read somewhere if the hdd dies the router doesn't function. If there isn't a 5 year warranty on the hdd its pointless buying and risking your router going down for such a pricy cost. Jus get the extreme and plug an external in. I have the first gen extreme its still going strong.

What happens when someone lives in a two story house and owns 3 macs. One for the man, wife and child. What would they use for an adequate backup solution? From what I understand, the Time Capsule device acts as both a router and a wireless backup solution. Personally I love taking my MacBook all over the house. My room, downstairs kitchen, living room, out by the pool, etc.

I also have the only MB in the house and since I sit at my desk a lot, I don't mind using a regular, external drive for backups. That's fine for me and a lot of people.

Don't just bash something because you can't find a use for it. Come to think of it, my uncle and his family (if they had macs) would pretty much "have" to use the TC because they live in a relatively big house (3 stories) so the router is placed between the basement and first floor (basement renovated to another level).

Because of this, they don't really have "easy" access to their router and a device centered inside their home that provided wireless backups would be essential if they wanted to go that route. Accessibility and ease of use. The TC has this.

However in the aforementioned scenario you don't want to go through the hassle of having everyone plug up to an external drive every day (and depending on the importance of work some people backup ALL of the time) to backup in case something fails.

With the TC you can just do whatever you want, all the time, and use the machines wherever you want. Instant backups wirelessly. Some people don't need it but for the people who do it's a life saver.

 

[Sardonick007]

What the title says.
Time Capsule 2TB costs 300$.
Time Capsule 3TB costs 500$.

With 200$ you can buy 2 external hard disks 1TB each.
Am I right that noone should buy the 3tb model or am I missing something?

A 3tb drive time machine with wireless sync and a router with simultaneous 2.4 and 5ghz mode along with usb hub connection for d-chaining other devices? Yes, at least for me, it's worth it and it will be in my stable as soon as the purchase clears. Now, if it were only a 3tb drive, that would be a different story. Hardly worth the price just for drive space.

 

[Sardonick007]

Um. Yes. I'm buying.

Oh, and I forgot the most important reason I'm paying 499. It's white and has a little apple logo on it, which means the darn thing is actually going to work.

 

[freedevil]

What happens when someone lives in a two story house and owns 3 macs. One for the man, wife and child. What would they use for an adequate backup solution? From what I understand, the Time Capsule device acts as both a router and a wireless backup solution. Personally I love taking my MacBook all over the house. My room, downstairs kitchen, living room, out by the pool, etc.

I also have the only MB in the house and since I sit at my desk a lot, I don't mind using a regular, external drive for backups. That's fine for me and a lot of people.

Don't just bash something because you can't find a use for it. Come to think of it, my uncle and his family (if they had macs) would pretty much "have" to use the TC because they live in a relatively big house (3 stories) so the router is placed between the basement and first floor (basement renovated to another level).

Dude you can do all that with the method I suggested in the end. Multiple machines can backup over wifi to an external hooked up to the extreme as well. Don't be a n00b and just buy what apple sells. You can still do a network backup with an external. You didn't address any of my concerns either, which means you don't care if it dies regardless.

 

[Young Spade]

Dude you can do all that with the method I suggested in the end. Multiple machines can backup over wifi to an external hooked up to the extreme as well. Don't be a n00b and just buy what apple sells. You can still do a network backup with an external. You didn't address any of my concerns either, which means you don't care if it dies regardless.

Just because I don't agree with what you stated doesn't mean it's wrong or I don't think it's applicable. Personally I would never need to use this because I'd simply plug my laptop up and copy things over that way, either that or buy a smaller drive because I have no reason to hold THAT much data.

Just because you think differently doesn't mean I'm a N00b and buy into everything Apple sells; this option appeals to "somebody" out there, that's why people are buying it. If they WANTED to do what you stated, I'm sure they are DOING it. Just because there's a "better" option for YOU doesn't mean that the other options are stupid.

You could argue "what if the HDD in the Time capsule fails?" I'm sure the chances of that drive dying over any other external HDD like you're stating is very far and few. All drives can fail. Of course there are RAID configurations and I THINK that the people who really need their data secure will HAVE THAT.

Now another point, if the TC fails, just take it back and get a NEW ONE. The chances of that dying ALONG with the computer itself dying is very, very slim. If the TC dies, take it back, get another one. Then re-backup everything.

If it's really, really sensitive data, you can just back it up on ANOTHER device that you store off-site. There is no reason you can't have more than one solution.

 

[freedevil]

Just because I don't agree with what you stated doesn't mean it's wrong or I don't think it's applicable. Personally I would never need to use this because I'd simply plug my laptop up and copy things over that way, either that or buy a smaller drive because I have no reason to hold THAT much data.

Just because you think differently doesn't mean I'm a N00b and buy into everything Apple sells; this option appeals to "somebody" out there, that's why people are buying it. If they WANTED to do what you stated, I'm sure they are DOING it. Just because there's a "better" option for YOU doesn't mean that the other options are stupid.

You could argue "what if the HDD in the Time capsule fails?" I'm sure the chances of that drive dying over any other external HDD like you're stating is very far and few. All drives can fail. Of course there are RAID configurations and I THINK that the people who really need their data secure will HAVE THAT.

Now another point, if the TC fails, just take it back and get a NEW ONE. The chances of that dying ALONG with the computer itself dying is very, very slim. If the TC dies, take it back, get another one. Then re-backup everything.

If it's really, really sensitive data, you can just back it up on ANOTHER device that you store off-site. There is no reason you can't have more than one solution.

So you'll let your network die for a whole day or whenever possible to exchange it for a new one? What about after the 1 year warranty? I stated I don't think a TC is justified for these reasons and you disagreed. I stand firm TC is not worth the money and risks. This is just my opinion, feel free to have yours...

 

[Young Spade]

So you'll let your network die for a whole day or whenever possible to exchange it for a new one? What about after the 1 year warranty? I stated I don't think a TC is justified for these reasons and you disagreed. I stand firm TC is not worth the money and risks. This is just my opinion, feel free to have yours...

I'm not saying I would use one.
I'm not saying I need one.
I"m not saying the price is justified (3TB)

I am saying that there are reasons one would go for this option, even IF there are "better" options out there. It's an all in one device. YES you have the chance of it breaking, yes you are paying a lot for it. Yes if the HDD fails, you are without a router as well.

However, this doesn't have to be the ONLY option you have. If you have say, 4 Macs in your house and/or you are working in a business, you could have the macs backup automatically to this drive WHILE also requiring each individual person to have their own backup off site. I'm only offering possibilities or reasons as to why this is valid. I'm not saying I'd get one.

Ultimately you don't know when the drive will fail. Right. By this logic if you use ANYTHING other than a RAID drive, you don't have an argument here. If you can find another device that supports wireless backups and has raid functionality, then that's great. That's awesome. If you can't however, and you WANT wireless backups, this is the next best thing. From my knowledge of course.

 

[urkel]

My situation is this. Best Buy is replacing my MacBook Pro through their warranty so I'll be moving to a Macbook Air. That means I'll be offsetting a lot of data to a NAS so I want to know what exactly is the best solution for this. I bought a 2TB Time Capsule today but I also picked up this combo since its significantly cheaper and has DLNA support.

Best Buy: WD My Book 2TB External USB 2.0 Hard Drive for Mac - $69 This week
Netgear WNDRMAC Router $139

Netgear WNDRMAC
+ Made for Mac Users
+ HFS+ and Time Machine work
+ DLNA allows all unprotected media to be viewed through my PS3/LG DLNA App
+ Affordable (2TB drives are cheap nowadays)

Time Capsule
+ Apple Support (Ive had TC failure twice and Apple was good. But still, data was lost)
+ Internal drive (Its not server grade as advertised but its low powered and good enough)
+ iPhone control in iOS 5
- No Thunderbolt (Is this Apples only non-TB product in 2011?)
- No DLNA or iTunes Server for AppleTV Access (My comp still needs to run 24/7 to serve itunes)
- Still slow data transfer
- Lack of new features may mean this is yet another interim device due for major upgrade

So overall the Netgear solution seems to be a solid alternative but I want whats best for the Air and my AppleTV/Media Center. So is there something Im missing about using a Time Capsule with an MBAir that wont be available if I go with another brand?

 

[KyleGP]

I'm very close to making my 3TB purchase tonight.

Can anyone confirm if the HDD dies does the router feature die with it?

 

[Young Spade]

I'm very close to making my 3TB purchase tonight.

Can anyone confirm if the HDD dies does the router feature die with it?

Hey, let me ask you this; I see a lot of people getting TCs or using NAS devices.... however they are always worrying about their HD dying.

This is my take on it.

You have two hard drives. Internal and external (TC). The more you run any hard drive, the greater chance of fail over time. You can buy the cheapest HD and run it once a month for an hour and have it last longer than a good one that runs 24/7. I take this mindset with me to backups.

Right now I have a portable HD; nothing big, a 320 one that i bought.... 3 years ago now. I use that as my TC. It's sitting right here behind the computer and I only use it every week or so to back up.

I would like to say "common sense", but just doing some rational thinking, the chances of both my internal HDD and my TC drive dying at the SAME time is astronomical. And honestly, there's no way my data would be lost as either could die and I would be able to replace one or the other in the same or next day at ANY time... because HDs are so cheap.

So yes, if you're using the external for other things besides just a TC, you have to worry about the drive dying. However, if you use it ONLY as a TC, you have to factor in the chance of either drive dying then the OTHER one dying the same time you're doing the restore/initial backup, which is very, very, very slim.

 

[KyleGP]

Hey thanks for the suggestion, but to be frank that didn't answer my question.
I've weighed out things as you've suggested but because I need a new router plus a form of backup device, the Time Capsule couldn't be more suitable. Plus I can use NAS with the Time Capsule effortlessly, not to mention Time Machine also effortlessly.

I'm pretty busy most of the time so I would forget to whip out that external to make a backup. The Time Capsule is what offers the convenience of not worrying about it.

If my primary system fails in some way, I know it will be safely backed up in the Time Capsule.

I just really need to know if the router functionality relies on the hard drive working, because if it does, I will strongly consider other options. I don't see how it would be linked but I've heard people saying it so I want to make sure.

 

[FrankHahn]

In principle, when only the hard disk dies in a TC, the router should work fine. The hard disk in a TC is not much different from a hard disk connected through the USB port.