Cheapest way for wireless Time Machine backup?

Cheapest way for wireless Time Machine backup?

Author
Discussion

Phunk

Original Poster:

1,976 posts

172 months

Wednesday 4th May 2016
quotequote all
Looking for a solution where I can wirelessly back to my time machine.

I'm aware that a 'Time Capsule' can do it, but they're expensive for what is basically a hard drive with WiFi.

Would a router with a USB port plugged into an external HD do the same job?

Don

28,377 posts

285 months

Wednesday 4th May 2016
quotequote all
You need something with the compatible backup software on it, IIRC. Time Capsule has this. So does Synology.

I'd get a Synology box myself as it is so useful for so many other things as well as backup up your Mac.

RedWhiteMonkey

6,861 posts

183 months

Wednesday 4th May 2016
quotequote all
WD My Cloud works with Time Machine.

Don

28,377 posts

285 months

Wednesday 4th May 2016
quotequote all
RedWhiteMonkey said:
WD My Cloud works with Time Machine.
I had a WD device. Three of them, in fact. When the third one went back I got the Synology.

Bikerjon

2,202 posts

162 months

Wednesday 4th May 2016
quotequote all
Time capsule is a bit more than just a hard drive with Wi-Fi. If you happen to need a new router and want the fastest "AC" standard Wi-Fi then the time capsule does both those things plus of course provides you with a fully supported backup server too.

Synology is also a good option if you need a NAS - not exactly cheap though by the time you've added the drives. WD MyCloud is probably the cheapest option but unfortunately the performance isn't as good for backups as the other two in my experience.

megaphone

10,736 posts

252 months

Thursday 5th May 2016
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You could buy an Airport Extreme, then plug in and formated a USB external HDD.

Perik Omo

1,913 posts

149 months

Thursday 5th May 2016
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I've got my Apple backup drive connected to my Asus router via the USB port, there's a specific Time Machine config in the Asus to allow this.