Fardreamer
Apple’s new data backup product, Time Capsule, seems to be one of the more useful products coming out of Apple these days. Time Capsule is essentially a data backup device and a wireless router mashed into one handy product. You can now pre-order Time Capsule with 500 GB of hard drive space for $299, or you can cough up an additional $200 for a 1 TB hard drive.
My favorite feature of Time Capsule, by far, is the ability to sync it with your installation Leopard so you can automatically make backups of your data with little to no work. And since its wireless, you can obviously make backups with having to plug your machine into anything. Another cool feature is the ability to make backups of your other wireless products. Time Capsule in compatible with your iPhone, iPod Touch, Apple TV, and any other device running off of 802.11 wireless standards.
Alternatively, you can also use Time Capsule as a mini-server, so anyone within range can share files seamlessly. Of course if you want to keep your data private, Apple also offers the security needed to make sure your files are kept private.
The only real downside I see to Time Capsule is the inability to upgrade your hard drives. While its still unsure whether you’ll be able to upgrade your server space, knowing Apple, it probably won’t be possible. At least not without making a trip to the Apple store to do so. I believe that as more and more hard drive space is required by the average consumer, this will come back to hurt Apple in the future.
All in all, Time Capsule seems like a great product that many people will be able to find a use for. The question is: Is data backup something that the average consumer needs or wants? Only time will tell.
Apple Time Capsule
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18 comments
January 30, 2008
Apple Time Capsule is something that most people should have but don’t think they’ll need it. There is nothing worse than losing important files and not being able to recover them. With time capsule also being a wireless router or mini-server it gives you serveral things bundled in one.
February 2, 2008
I think that Apple Time Capsule is one of the greatest inventions since the invention of the computer. What makes this back up device different among others is the fact that it can be used as mini-server. I don’t know anything that can match this feature. It’s definitely one of the most unique features of this device.
February 2, 2008
At first the idea of spending 500 bucks for the 1 TB drive may sound like a lot of money, and certainly it is. However do any of the people out there have any concept of how much space is in a Terrabyte? Let me put it this way, it is 1 million Gigabytes. That is a lot of drive space. Think about that before complaining about the price tag.
February 2, 2008
Here is an interesting notion. Unless someone comes up with a reverse compatibility data retrieval system, billions of gigabytes’ worth of data will be lost when computers evolve further and storage systems/boot up/installation formats change.
My 2 year old eMachines PC, for instance, has no floppy drive, so all those DOS based or early Windows programs that ran on 3.5-inch floppies are now obsolete and can’t be used.
And the other day, there was an article in the Miami Herald that stated that everyone who stores stuff on CD-ROMs now may not be able to retrieve photos, documents, or videos if a new and non-compatible storage system is developed.
February 7, 2008
@ Fardreamer
I’m using a pc that had no 3.5-inch floppy disk. I think that having one hasn’t had any advantage to those who hasn’t have it because the floppy disk is not used these days.
I think that Apple has done it again by enabling the device to be able to use as a back-up device and a mini-server at the same time. How many computers can do that?
February 8, 2008
One of these days I’m gonna have to make a radical life change and go back to Apple products. If (or when) I buy an Apple computer, I better make damn sure that I buy the Time Capsule as well.
February 13, 2008
Wow! This is a good product to have. I’m just having doubts about the wireless access. I think that would be a little bit slow, basing it on my experience. I’m currently using wireless lan for my notebooks and desktops and I find wireless connections to be really slow.
February 13, 2008
@Shadow
1 TB isn’t 1 million Gigabytes. Its 1024 Gigabytes roughly equal to 1 million Megabytes. Still its a lot and I think its worth the price tag. The time capsule is yet another great product from Apple. They haven’t invented anything new but used existing technology pretty effectively. I like the name as well.
February 14, 2008
Is this the largest storage device out in the market for home users? I prefer using such devices than storing files in CD’s that will only last for 3 years. I hope they will also come up with a storage device that is shock proof.
February 27, 2008
The time capsule looks to be a must have. I know I need one. 500 dollars for 1TB actually looks to be a good deal. I am looking forward to getting one. As far as the drawback on hard drive upgradeability goes, its a non-issue for me.
February 28, 2008
I remember when gigabytes first came on the scene. My eyes got wide. Now, I fill 25 gigs in a matter of weeks. I just had to bridge to another computer (35 gig) just to serve as a storage unit. Would I use a wireless 1TB storage unit? Most definitely. Of course, it would be like my purses. The larger they get, the more ways I find to fill them. I could see myself getting to the end of the road a lot quicker than might be expected.
February 29, 2008
You know there are many good points made regarding this on comments. I have to agree with many of those points. What you need to look at is what you are going to do with the backup data in the future. Since most people but up over and over again on the thing, I cannot imagine too much that is would be outdated unless you have compatibility issues.
March 18, 2008
The Time Capsule is one of the best inventions of Apple. It has great features that every gadget freak loves to own. And the 1TB hard drive seems to be an eye catcher!!
April 3, 2008
I think the time capsule is a good idea and like someone else said, something we should all have but don’t. I personally don’t think I would go out and spend so much money on something which I would probably use every fortnight.
April 11, 2008
Well I think 1TB hard drives are already out in the market and for sure in just a couple of months a 2TB hard drive would also come out. Maybe I’ll just have to wait for prices to go down before I go bargain hunting.
April 12, 2008
This will be a great product for mac users. I think this will be my #2 reason to envy. I hate having to manually backup and go through the steps of backing up my PC. This will be one of the RAVE products that Apple produces.
May 15, 2008
I hadn’t heard of this before reading this post today. Hmmmm, I wish I had known this before my laptop decided to not turn on and I had to reinstall everything and lose all of my pictures that were very sentimental.
May 24, 2008
This kind of storage product is constantly being released so it is no big deal that Apple is doing it as well. You pretty much have to to stay in the business. But I am sure they can still find a lot of success. I am more interested in the products that I don’t usually see other businesses releasing.