Time Capsule Alternative?

NibCrom · October 2009

I need to buy an external hard drive for two purposes: transferring files from an old computer to a new one (basically a one-time use) and for the long run I need to back up the files on my two home computers (both Macs).

So I was just going to buy a firewire Hard Drive to transfer the files, but I was hoping there was a good alternative to Time Capsule that could automatically backup files for both of my computers (without slowing them down during the backup process). Does such a thing exist?

One computer is a Mac Mini and the other will be a MacBook replacing an iMac.

Am I better off backing up files manually? Do I need to have more than one hard drive? Any brands I should look for? Any brands I should avoid (besides Time Capsule)?

Thanks for any help!

mts · October 2009

is the old comp a mac?

if so can't you easily migrate with the migration assistant/time machine

time machine is pretty good in terms of backing up. i just use a western digital passport and it yells at me when i forget to plug it in.

Jake! · October 2009

NibCrom wrote: »

I need to buy an external hard drive for two purposes: transferring files from an old computer to a new one (basically a one-time use) and for the long run I need to back up the files on my two home computers (both Macs).

So I was just going to buy a firewire Hard Drive to transfer the files, but I was hoping there was a good alternative to Time Capsule that could automatically backup files for both of my computers (without slowing them down during the backup process). Does such a thing exist?

One computer is a Mac Mini and the other will be a MacBook replacing an iMac.

Am I better off backing up files manually? Do I need to have more than one hard drive? Any brands I should look for? Any brands I should avoid (besides Time Capsule)?

Thanks for any help!

Time machine will backup to any external hard drive.

NibCrom · October 2009

mts wrote: »

is the old comp a mac?

if so can't you easily migrate with the migration assistant/time machine

time machine is pretty good in terms of backing up. i just use a western digital passport and it yells at me when i forget to plug it in.

Yes, all of the computers are Macs. They will be in different rooms, so I was hoping there was a wireless solution (other than Time Capsule) that could backup both computers. Or should I just buy two hard drives, one for each computer?

Any other good brands besides western digital passport?

Durandal Infinity · October 2009

not really. though if the anti time capsule sentiment is due to its price consider this. http://store.apple.com/us/product/FB765LL/A?mco=MTI1NjAxOTk

NibCrom · October 2009

I'm basically against the Time Capsule due to it's poor reviews and reputation for only lasting 18 months.

PracticalProblemSolver · October 2009

To simulate time capsule you need a file server hooked up to your network, then you mount that drive on your macs and use it for time machine. You could use a marvell sheevaplug with a usb hard drive, for a small solution. Or any linux computer with some hard drives in it.

NibCrom · October 2009

Thanks for the help guys. Sounds like I'll just buy a firewire drive and share it among the two computers. Or buy another one eventually if need be.

PracticalProblemSolver · October 2009

Oh yeah, you can just hook it up to your mini, turn on file sharing on that computer, mount the drive on your laptop and then you can both backup to that drive, the laptop wirelessly.

NibCrom · November 2009

Sweet! I'll try that. Thanks for the help!

Penny Arcade

Quick Links

Time Capsule Alternative?

Posts