Time Capsule - 2TB

Back up a lifetime's worth of memories with Time Capsule, a wireless hard drive that works seamlessly with Time Machine in Mac OS X Leopard and Snow Leopard. It’s also a full-featured 802.11n Wi-Fi base station with simultaneous dual-band support. Choose from 2TB and 3TB models.1

Mac + PC

Learn more
Close
image.alt.MC344

Enlarge images

Questions & Answers

1109 Questions + 999 Answers

3.5

Based on 101 reviews

Write a review
Purchase Information

$299.00

Ships: 1-2 weeks Free Shipping

Signature gift wrapping — an Apple Store exclusive
Select Apple software and accessories are eligible for the Apple Gift Package, an origami-style gift box with a personalized greeting card. You'll have the chance to add gift wrapping to your order during checkout.

Learn more

Apple Gift Package is not available for same day in-store pickup.

Select your product
 
 

Overview

Wireless backup for Mac OS X Leopard and Snow Leopard.

Time Machine icon

NEW
Automatic backup with Time Machine.

Time Capsule works automatically with Time Machine in OS X Leopard or later to create the perfect no-hassle backup solution. There are no cables, and you can back up all the computers in your home to a central location. New technologies in Time Capsule and refinements to Time Machine make backing up to Time Capsule using Snow Leopard up to 75 percent faster than before.2

Storage icon

Server-grade storage.

The massive 2TB or 3TB server-grade hard drive gives you all the capacity and safety you need for backing up all your Mac computers.

Networking icon

Easy wireless networking.

Connect your DSL or cable modem to Time Capsule, then quickly set it up with the easy-to-use AirPort Utility, which is available as download for both Mac OS X and Windows. In minutes, you and up to 50 others can use your Mac computers or PCs to surf the web, stream video, share photos and more — without wires.3

Dual Band icon

Simultaneous dual-band Wi-Fi.

For maximum range and compatibility, Time Capsule works simultaneously on both the 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands, allowing all the devices on the network to use the most efficient band automatically. It uses the latest 802.11n wireless technology, so you can enjoy up to five times the Wi-Fi performance and up to twice the range of 802.11g wireless networks.4

Guest Networking icon

Guest networking.

Set up a separate Wi-Fi network with a separate password for your visitors. Simply enable the guest networking feature, and your guests can use the Internet but can’t access other parts of your private network, such as your computers, printers and attached hard drives.

Drive Sharing icon

Wireless drive sharing.

Time Capsule also works great as a wireless hard drive, whether you have a Mac or a PC. It sets up in a snap, giving you a networked hard drive you can use for storing and sharing all kinds of files. If you’re a MobileMe member using a Mac with OS X Leopard or later, or an iCloud member with Mac OS X Lion, you can even access the files on the drive over the Internet.5

Printer icon

Print without wires.

Print documents, photos and more from any room in your home or office to a central printer connected to Time Capsule via USB. (See system requirements.)

Security icon

Strong security and access controls.

Protect yourself with the built-in firewall and industry-standard encryption technologies including WPA/WPA2 and 128-bit WEP.

AppleTV, iPhone, iPod touch icon

Works with iPad, iPhone, Apple TV and more.

Time Capsule works with Mac computers, PCs, iPad, iPhone, iPod touch, Apple TV and virtually all 802.11a/b/g/n Wi-Fi wireless devices — all at the same time.

What's in the Box

  • Time Capsule
  • Printed documentation
  • Power cord

System Requirements

For Time Machine backup:
  • Mac with OS X Leopard or later
For set-up and administration:
  • Mac computer with Mac OS X v.10.5.7 or later and Ethernet or wireless networking capability
  • PC with Windows XP (SP3) or Windows Vista (SP2) or Windows 7 (SP1) or later and Ethernet or wireless networking capability
For wireless client access:
  • Mac with AirPort or AirPort Extreme wireless capability
  • PC with 802.11a/b/g/n
For shared hard drive:
  • Mac with Mac OS X v10.4.8 or later
  • PC with Windows XP (SP2) or Windows Vista; Bonjour for Windows included with AirPort Utility available as download via Software Update.
For shared printing:
  • USB printer
  • Mac with Mac OS X v10.2.7 or later
  • PC with Windows XP (SP2) or Windows Vista; Bonjour for Windows included with AirPort Utility available as download via Software Update.
  1. 1TB = 1 trillion bytes. Actual formatted capacity less.
  2. Testing conducted by Apple in October 2009 comparing preproduction Time Capsule (Late 2009) with shipping Time Capsule (Early 2009) units. Testing was conducted on preproduction 3.06GHz Intel Core 2 Duo-based iMac (Late 2009) systems. Performance will vary based on system configuration, network, file sizes, data sets, wireless interference and other factors. Performance tests are conducted using specific systems and reflect the approximate performance of Time Capsule.
  3. Wireless Internet access requires a wireless-enabled computer, a base station or other access point, and Internet access; fees may apply. Some ISPs are not currently compatible with Time Capsule.
  4. Performance is based on a comparison with Apple’s 802.11g products.
  5. MobileMe and iCloud are available to persons age 13 and older. Internet access required. Terms of service apply.
 

Ratings & Reviews

3.5

Based on 101 reviews

Write a Review

Most Useful Reviews

  • Time Capsule - 2TB

    5.0
    My iMac was stolen
    • Written by PP from northfield
    • Jun 24, 2011

    I have had the time capsule for a while and it worked fine as a wireless router. Two days ago we had a break in and my iMac,iPhones and several other items were stolen. I was very concerned that family photos were lost and that I would be spending countless hours getting everything back to where it was. The time capsule saved me. I was able to get my new iMac and iPhone back to where they were with minimal effort. Be sure to put it somewhere where it won't get stolen with your computer. …More

    1328 of 1410 people found this useful

    Was this useful?

  • Time Capsule - 2TB

    5.0
    Time Capsule hits the sweet spot
    • Written by RB from Pembroke Pines
    • Jun 26, 2011

    I've been through external hard drives and USB flash drives, but they just weren't doing it for me. I did not want a hard drive connected next to my computer all the Time for automatic Time Machine backups. If I just wanted to drag and drop my files to a USB flash drive (or hard drive), I would have to do it after every iTunes song I download or after every picture I upload.

    It just felt highly impractical, so I decided to go with Time Capsule for the above reasons. Setup is very quick. It recognized my previous Airport Extreme configuration and passwords, so I really did not have to set up anything. Initial backup took about 45 minutes for about 20GB. After that, it's seamless. I really don't use Time Machine, because I primarily wanted a device that backs up for me in an easy-to-use way. Although having Time Machine is great for those times where you need to recover something you lost.

    Time Capsule also has a great design. I love the silver Apple logo.

    I have not noticed any jump in range or performance with this new 2TB Time Capsule compared to my last-generation Airport Extreme. The range may be slightly better, but if it is, it isn't that noticeable.

    You cannot beat this setup for backing up.

    As with all Apple products, 5/5     …More

    615 of 669 people found this useful

    Was this useful?

  • Time Capsule - 2TB

    5.0
    Time Capsule is Great
    • Written by AF from Aliso Viejo
    • Jun 21, 2011

    Almost everything works like you would imagine it would... back up's are stored perfectly, and Time Machine makes finding back ups soooo simple! The only 2 negative things i have to say our...

    1. If you don't back up in the last 10 days (example, going on a trip, visiting a relatives house, or what ever)... so if you don't back up in 10 days your back up is going to be hard to reconnect with your Mac, for some reason if you don't back up within 10 days, you must verify the entire Back Up, and during this process you might be prompted to start all over (which means you loose all your previous back up, and you have to create a fresh one from your existing mac).

    2. You can only back up through your own Time Capsule wifi network. It would be so much better if you could back up over the internet, from anywhere (If you fix this problem, this would solve problem 1). There are work arounds, but that requires you have DNS.... I don't want a complicated work around, I want it so it "just works".     …More

    617 of 711 people found this useful

    Was this useful?

Read all the most useful reviews

Most Recent Reviews

  • Time Capsule - 2TB

    3.0
    Out of Time Capsule
    • Written by DB from Charlotte
    • Feb 22, 2012

    As a long term solution you would be better off buying a stand alone back up device and if you need wireless get a wireless router. I am about to be on my 3rd time capsule in 2 1/2 years.

    For ease of use, set-up and trouble free operation (if it is working) is excellent though. It is beyond my understanding why the do not last longer? Planned obsolescence I guess?     …More

    Was this useful?

  • Time Capsule - 2TB

    3.0
    airport extreme base
    • Written by JV from CORONA
    • Feb 21, 2012

    I bought like two years ago and suddenly stopped working, it was good but I think that last longer!

    1 of 1 people found this useful

    Was this useful?

  • Time Capsule - 2TB

    5.0
    One of the best Apple Products!
    • Written by SW from MILFORD
    • Feb 21, 2012

    I was hesitant at first to buy the Apple Time Capsule, but I am so glad I did. Time Capsule continuously backs up 3 of my Macs and allows me to store all my data within. Not only is it small and compact, but it is light and fits just about anywhere! It was saved me not only once, but around 4 time when either my hard drive has crashed or when I have switched computers. Great investment and has been an amazing product. …More

    2 of 2 people found this useful

    Was this useful?

Read all the most recent reviews

Questions & Answers

Follow this Product

See all 1109 Questions

Most Interesting

  • Can the Time Capsule act as an iTunes Media Server?
    • Asked by VT from Chicago
    • Mar 20, 2010

    6 Answers

    Best Answer

    I have a 1st Gen 500GB TC. I used to use it as my iTunes media storage. I just pointed my iTunes library on my Mac Mini to the drive on the TC. I did not use the TC for Time Machine. So, based on what you are asking above, you should be able to do all three by partitioning the TC and with your MacBook being the 'Media Hub' which is Sharing iTunes to your other devices and pulling it's content off of the TC. …More

    • Answered by JG from Sunbury
    • Nov 22, 2010
  • So ... if I buy a Time Capsule, I don't need my Airport Extreme Base Station any more, is that right?
    • Asked by GS from Edmonton
    • Nov 27, 2009

    6 Answers

    Best Answer

    In my case, the Apple instructions worked perfectly. I first installed the Time Machine and created the home network, with all of my computers recognizing it--no problem for me at all. Then I took my old Airport Extreme and followed its instructions for creating a relay bridge to extend my wireless signal from the Time Machine to all over the house. I would go back to the start, find the user manuals--online if you don't have them printed out--and start by setting up the Time Machine to receive an input from your cable or DSL modem, and to connect wirelessly with all your equipment--or you can use ethernet cable. After the network is working, then try to set up your Airport as a wireless relay bridge to extend the wireless area of good reception. …More

    • Answered by DK from Houston
    • Feb 1, 2010
  • Can I use Time Capsule as 1) NAS and / or 2) iTunes server?
    • Asked by DC from Los Angeles
    • Nov 29, 2011

    1 Answer

    Best Answer

    You can configure a TC to join an existing network as a client. However, it doesn't work (or least not for all intents and purposes). I bought it for the same purpose, but got shocking performance (< 1MB/sec). I called Apple support and was told that "a TC is not meant to be used in client mode". (If you configure the TC as the base station that provides the network, you get normal performance (better than 15MB/sec).) The recent firmware update (7.6) did not fix the problem, so you effectively cannot use a TC as NAS.

    You don't need to use all of a TC's disk for Time Machine. You can concurrently use it to store other files. (Obviously, the files on the TC won't really be backed up, seeing that they are on the same disk. If the disk dies, you lose those files, even if you back them up on the TC.)

    You can't use a TC as an "iTunes server". But you can tell iTunes to use a TC to store it's files on. Again, if the TC joins an existing wireless network, it will work only very poorly though.     …More

    • Answered by MH from Holland Park
    • Dec 4, 2011

Recently Answered

Featured Question

Does spotlight search work on the time capsule?
  • Asked by TH
  • Jan 27, 2012
Answer
† Exceptions apply. The shown delivery date may encounter additional time for some localities. Click here for details.