Time Capsule

[Gregg]

I quickly read the article on Time Capsule in MacWorld. It mentions a network frequently, and I know very little about networking computers. So, my basic question is whether TC is an appropriate alternative to a "3rd party" external hard drive for a single computer that has reached its limits.

My son says his iBook is about "maxed out". I was thinking maybe I'd get him Leopard (in addition to other gifts), and let him use his graduation money from his grandparents to get the Time Capsule, if he wants one. Of course, we'd have to make sure his iBook could handle it, and no, I don't know the specs on it.

[chriskleeman]

Hi Gregg,

It really depends on what his needs are. Basically, Time Capsule is available in a 500 GB or 1 TB configuration, and the reviews on the Apple website are all over the place. Seems like people pretty much either love it or hate it.

As far as networking goes, one of the functions of Time Capsule is as a wireless base station. It combines wireless capabilities along with lots of storage space. So if your son wants to go wireless for internet access, not only will this product do that , but with the built-in features of Leopard, he could back up his hard drive on the iBook to the Time Capsule wirelessly. In theory, that is.

More on what this thing does here

Make sure you click on the "reviews" link.

Personally, I don't mind connecting up to the external Firewire drive to back up, and I don't know if Time Capsule can actually be a bootable drive, which is one of the most important features of having an external Firewire drive. From what I see on the specs for the Time Capsule, it won't function as a bootable external drive.

HTH,

Chris K

[Gregg]

Thanks Chris.  I just wasn't sure if TC was appropriate for use with one laptop.

It depends on the setup at his new appartment when he starts grad school too. That's why I figured I'd upgrade the OS for him, then let him figure out the rest.

[antony]

Just to add my two cents.

I have a Time Capsule (1TB) myself, an AirPort Extreme Base Station (802.11n/Gigabit version) and three Macs networked. Time Capsule works very well for me as Time Machine backup and still have spaces for other usage (I then plugged an USB external HDD to the AirPort Extreme Base Station and used it as a networked HDD).

Time Capsule is fine for laptop, but according to tech spec of iBook (linked to the last iBook released), I am afraid to say that iBook does not have Gigabit ethernet nor 802.11n wireless networking. If you want to add a Time Capsule mainly as an external storage, I'd say no, and get an external USB HDD instead. Reasons for not getting the Time Capsule are simply it will be too slow for iBook and too expensive.

Just my belated two cents.

[Frances144]

You still need an internet router, though, don't you?  It doesn't have one of those.  So, in theory, it won't access the internet without one.

[Gregg]

QUOTE(Gregg @ May 11 2008, 06:50 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

... we'd have to make sure his iBook could handle it, and no, I don't know the specs on it.

QUOTE(antony @ May 18 2008, 05:07 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I am afraid to say that iBook does not have Gigabit ethernet nor 802.11n wireless networking. If you want to add a Time Capsule mainly as an external storage, I'd say no, and get an external USB HDD instead. Reasons for not getting the Time Capsule are simply it will be too slow for iBook and too expensive.

Just my belated two cents.

That answers that part of my question. Worth more than two cents.

QUOTE(Frances144 @ May 18 2008, 06:08 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

You still need an internet router, though, don't you?

I believe you are correct. Adding that function would be a good idea so you could eliminate another device.