Apple Time Capsule

The best backup for Time Machine – I purchased an Apple AirPort Time Capsule 3TB from eBay for so I could backup my iMac using Time Machine without having to worry about losing anything on my iMac.

Don't rely on it as long term backup – Great device whilst it's working. Mine died after four years of service. Archive all your files on a yearly basis. Otherwise you will lose everything. I would suggest that you buy a new one every three to four years and throw the old one in the bin. I bought a 3TB model which was quite expensive. The hard disk needs to be replaced. All the comments that I have read say that you should replace them after a few years of service. It is possible that all backups should now be done on a cloud drive which would be much cheaper and more reliable than having to rely on a fixed hard drive in an Apple AirPort Time Capsule.

unreliable device – I use my time capsule as my airplay network base station and my back up drive. The problem is that it suddenly stops working frequently and is in the repair shop again. It has been replaced once already and now number 2 is playing g up the same problem suddenly stops working. Pending on advice on what can be done to fix it this time as to whether or not I stick with it in the future. It makes me nervous that my back up device can be so unreliable.

It Saved Me – I bought the 2TB version. Set-up was quick and simple and it works extremely well. It comes with an app so I was able to set it up using my iPad. I also access the base station via the app. A month after purchasing it, my Mac had a meltdown and my AirPort Time Capsule stepped forward like a knight in shining armour as it has wirelessly been backing up my computer, at least once everyday; so I was able to recover numerous family photos that might have otherwised been destroyed. It was at that moment I was glad I made the choice to buy this product instead of the other router I was looking at, which was the same price but didn't have a Time Capsule. Phew!

Disappointing Start – Purchased a 2TB Time Capsule from Authorised reseller. Device booted fine, setup with iMac was easy and updated with no dramas. Once update finished, iMac reported it could not find device. Time Capsule had powered down and would not power on again. Tried all methods listed in documentation, but no success. Dead after 3 minutes. Contacted seller who referred issue to Apple support. Contacted Apple who arranged for replacement to be sent to home and in return I would send dead device in return packaging. After 2 weeks with no replacement, checked status of replacement online and found order had been cancelled.

Contacted Apple who could not explain why order was cancelled. Guaranteed that order was on its way again.

10 days later, no device and no change to online status of order, contacted Apple who admitted to another error on their end and device had not been sent. I asked if I could take to another reseller as I was travelling within the next few day and replace from their store, Apple Support suggested that would be quickest and easiest option. Easy to setup, if item had stayed alive or was even replaced quickly, I would be very happy with it. Dead after 3 minutes and a long ordeal to have item replaced.