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Apple 3TB AirPort Time Capsule (5th Generation)

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Apple 3TB AirPort Time Capsule (5th Generation)
Key Features
  • 3TB for Time Machine Backup
  • Simultaneous Dual-Band 802.11ac Wi-Fi
  • 802.11a/b/g/n Wi-Fi Compatible
  • WPA/WPA2 Encryption, NAT Firewall
The fifth generation 3TB AirPort Time Capsule from Apple features simultaneous dual-band 802.11ac Wi-Fi support. That means it transmits at both the 2.4GHz and 5GHz frequencies at the same time. So no matter which band your wireless devices use, they'll automatically connect to the best available band for the fastest possible performance.
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Apple AirPort Time Capsule Overview

The fifth generation 3TB AirPort Time Capsule from Apple features simultaneous dual-band 802.11ac Wi-Fi support. That means it transmits at both the 2.4GHz and 5GHz frequencies at the same time. So no matter which band your wireless devices use, they'll automatically connect to the best available band for the fastest possible performance.

With the AirPort Time Capsule, you get a superfast Wi‑Fi base station and an easy-to-use backup device all in one. It works with Time Machine in Mac OS X to back up your Mac automatically and wirelessly. Music, photos, videos, documents and even your apps and OS X settings are saved. The AirPort Time Capsule stores it all with its 3TB of storage space.

With three-stream 802.11ac technology, the Airport Time Capsule can reach data rates of up to 1.3Gbps, which is triple the 802.11n standard. 802.11ac Wi-Fi also provides double the channel bandwidth with 80MHz-wide channels providing more room for data to flow faster. If you're using an 802.11a/b/g/n Wi-Fi device, Airport Time Capsule can still optimize the connection for those Wi-Fi standards as well.

Apple has redesigned the Airport Time Capsule to be taller with antennas located at the top of the device. Apple also increased the number of antennas to six, three for 2.4GHz and three for 5GHz. The vertical redesign of the AirPort Time Capsule also contributes to a smaller footprint and more desk space.

With AirPort Time Capsule, getting your new Wi‑Fi network up and running is quick and easy. That's because a setup assistant is built into iOS and into AirPort Utility for OS X. As soon as you plug in your AirPort Time Capsule and connect it to your DSL or cable modem, you can follow the simple instructions on your Mac or iOS device. There are no complicated steps to follow and no obscure terminology to learn. The setup assistant does all the work, so you don't have to.

Automatic Wireless Backup
Time Machine
The AirPort Time Capsule is designed to partner seamlessly with Time Machine in Mac OS X Leopard or later to protect your data. They work together so that after the initial backup, only the files you've changed are backed up automatically, wirelessly and in the background. Since Time Machine continuously makes a copy of everything on your Mac, as well as saves multiple versions, you can easily access and restore previous versions of a single file, a folder, or even your entire Mac. And with the six antennas and ultrafast 802.11ac Wi-Fi, backing up to AirPort Time Capsule is up to 50 percent faster than its predecessor
A Backup Plan for All Your Macs
Have multiple Mac computers in your home or office? The AirPort Time Capsule can back up and store files for each Mac on your wireless network. You no longer have to attach an external drive to each Mac every time you want to back up. The AirPort Time Capsule spares you the work. Your computers are always backed up automatically and wirelessly
Storage Space
The AirPort Time Capsule is your one place for backing up everything. Its massive 3TB hard drive gives you all the capacity and safety you need. So whether you have 250 songs or 250,000 songs to back up, storage is the last thing you have to worry about
Up to Three Times Faster Wi-Fi
802.11ac - The Definition of Fast
With three-stream 802.11ac technology, the AirPort Time Capsule takes Wi‑Fi speeds up to 1.3 Gbps, which is triple the previous 802.11n standard. This means up to three times faster Wi‑Fi. You also get double the channel bandwidth, with 80MHz‑wide channels providing more room for more data to flow faster than ever. And if you have 802.11a/b/g/n devices, AirPort Time Capsule maximizes those connections as well
Simultaneous Dual-Band Support
AirPort Time Capsule features simultaneous dual-band 802.11ac Wi‑Fi. That means it transmits at both the 2.4GHz and 5GHz frequencies at the same time. So no matter which band your wireless devices use, they'll automatically connect to the best available band for the fastest possible performance
Beamforming Puts the Focus on Your Device
With 802.11ac technology comes the intelligent, powerful beamforming antenna array. Most antennas emit an equal and constant Wi-Fi signal in all directions. But the beamforming antenna array knows where an 802.11ac device is on the network. Then AirPort Time Capsule targets its signal to that device. So your Wi‑Fi signal is stronger, clearer and faster
Designed with Performance in Mind
A Top-Down Approach to Design
For the redesign of AirPort Time Capsule, Apple took an approach that centered around performance. Apple made it taller and put the antennas at the top, creating a higher platform for dispersing the signal. Apple also increased the number of antennas. There are now six of them - three for the 2.4GHz band and three for the 5GHz band. Together with 802.11ac wireless technology, they let you connect faster, farther and with more power than its predecessor
Smaller Footprint with More Desk Space
The vertical design not only improves Wi‑Fi performance, it also saves you valuable desk space. At less than 4 inches square, the footprint of AirPort Time Capsule is 64 percent smaller than its predecessor. And to save even more space, the power supply is built in
AirPort Utility
Manage Your Wi-Fi Network from an iOS Device or Mac
Once your network is set up, AirPort Utility for iOS and OS X lets you manage and monitor it from your iPad, iPhone, iPod touch or Mac. Your AirPort Time Capsule appears graphically onscreen, so you can see all your settings to make changes, apply updates and more
Printer and Hard Drive Sharing
Simple and Secure File Sharing
AirPort Time Capsule can turn your external USB hard drive into a secure drive you can share across your Wi-Fi network and access securely over the Internet. All the documents, videos, photos, and other files instantly become available to anyone on the network, Mac and PC users alike. It's perfect for file sharing, collaborative projects and more
Print Without Wires
The USB 2.0 port in AirPort Time Capsule is also great for sharing a printer across your wireless network. Just plug it in and everyone on your network can take advantage of one centrally available printer wirelessly
Compatibility and Security
Get Online Safely and Securely
AirPort Time Capsule includes a built-in firewall that creates a barrier between your network and the Internet, protecting your data from malicious attacks. When you set up AirPort Time Capsule, the firewall is automatically turned on
Guests for Your Wi-Fi Network
With the guest networking feature, you can set up a separate Wi‑Fi network just for guests. Use a different password or no password at all. A guest network allows access only to the Internet, so your primary network - including any external hard drive, printer, or other LAN-attached device - remains secure
Connect to Wi-Fi From Any Device
Whether you have a Mac, PC, iPhone, iPad or Apple TV, you'll be able to connect to the AirPort Time Capsule. Any Wi‑Fi‑enabled device you have will work with AirPort Time Capsule. That's because it's compatible with devices using the 802.11a, 802.11b, 802.11g, 802.11n and 802.11ac specifications
Go Wired
If you're looking for reliable Internet access, you can also go for a wired connection. The AirPort Time Capsule includes three Gigabit Ethernet LAN ports for fast wired connectivity with a desktop computer, network drive, DVR or other wired devices

Apple AirPort Time Capsule Specs

Wireless
Transmit Power
32.5 dBm
Supported Protocols
IPv6
MAC Filtering
Interface
Inputs/Outputs
1x USB-A 2.0
1x RJ45 WAN
3x RJ45
Security
Wireless Security
WPA, WPA2
Hardware
Storage Capacity
3 TB
Supported IEEE Standards
802.1x
General
Dimensions
3.85 x 3.85 x 6.6" / 9.8 x 9.8 x 16.8 cm
Weight
3.3 lb / 1.5 kg
Packaging Info
Package Weight
5.15 lb
Box Dimensions (LxWxH)
10 x 6.3 x 5.8"

Apple AirPort Time Capsule Reviews

See any errors on this page?

Is Apple discontinuing this device? The local ...

Is Apple discontinuing this device? The local Apple Store does not stock it. If so, how long would Apple continue to provide support? Or would my Time Capsule become orphaned like my Apple Aperture editing software? If so, what would B&H recommend as a substitute that would back-up wirelessly- without a lot of hassle??
Asked by: Thomas F.
This was discontinued by Apple. I suggested getting a good router that fits your locations needs and then plug a hard drive into that. Please reach out to us at [email protected], or 800.606.6969 / 212.444.6615 so we can best assist you
Answered by: Moe
Date published: 2019-02-22

Is this product new or refurbished?

Is this product new or refurbished?
Asked by: Jonny
I assume that the one which I bought at full list price was new.
Answered by: Anonymous
Date published: 2019-02-06

question

Can I connect to it Windows formatted RAID 1 array to back up to it my RAID 0 external drive attached to my Mac?
Asked by: Valeriy
Good question? I really don't know. You have the ability to connect to the Time Capsule through WiFi or a hardwired Ethernet connection. The USB port on the Time Capsule is only for (as far as I know) attaching an additional USB Hard Drive or Hub to expand the storage capabilities of the Time Capsule. If you can get connectivity for your needs from those methods than I don't see why not. The Time Capsule's main purpose is for (wired or wireless) backup of your main hard drive. The Time Capsule's Hard drive shows up as a volume on your computer. That's about all I can tell you. I've been using them for 14 years. I'd contact a local networking expert for more info since you are combining macOS & Windows.
Answered by: Anonymous
Date published: 2018-10-24

question

How long will this last without having overheating be an issue? No other devices where this is located are overheating.
Asked by: Janice C.
Ive had the 3TB Airport Time Capsule for 5 years and have zero problems with it overheating. Its a great device an the range is excellent.
Answered by: Thomas S.
Date published: 2018-08-28

question

is the hard drive ssd or hdd?
Asked by: Anonymous
Holla at me if you ever find 3terabytes ssd at this price range
Answered by: Juan Carlos V.
Date published: 2018-08-28

question

Can I use this as an external hard drive aside from using it to back up time machine?
Asked by: Anonymous
Yes, the hard drive inside every Time Capsule, if configured properly, will show up in the Finder's Sidebar. You can click on it, open up the Data folder and copy files to and from this drive, just like any other hard drive attached locally to your Mac via USB, FireWire or Thunderbolt. In addition, since the Time Capsule's hard drive is a networked drive, you can access it from any Mac connected to the same network. HOWEVER, Apple does not recommend that you use a Time Capsule for anything other than backing up or restoring files via Time Machine, and heres why:1. Files that you manually copy to your Time Capsules hard drive are not backed up by Time Machine, and even if they happen to be duplicates of files backed up by Time Machine, having multiple copies of the same files on the same physical device is NOT redundancy if the hard drive in your Time Capsule catastrophically fails, ALL backup copies of your files will be lost.2. The hardware system in the Time Capsule is optimized for doing reliable Time Machine backups over a network. As such it is MUCH slower than copying files to an external drive connected locally to your Mac.3. If you are manually reading or writing files on the Time Capsule while Time Machine is doing a backup, you will see significantly slower performance for both processes.
Answered by: Eric G.
Date published: 2019-01-02

question

Can Photo & iPhoto saved and access/get from Time Capsule with iCloud sharing support? Photo - can user sharing only System Photo Library
Asked by: Otto A.
Providing you are using a current version of iPhoto / Photos you will be able to store your photo library on the Time Capsule. Note that only one computer at a time will be able to access the library, and the computers would need to be running the same versions of iPhoto / Photos. Also Note that access from the Time Capsule will be much slower than local storage.
Answered by: James B.
Date published: 2018-08-28

question

Hello, can i access to my data from the internet, like remote access?thanks
Asked by: Emiliano Z.
With this device, you can turn any external USB hard drive into another secure drive to share across your Wi-Fi network and access securely over the Internet.See Apple Support for details.
Answered by: Freddy S.
Date published: 2018-08-28
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