Can I use Time Capsule for automatic Time Machine backups, and to store files I want to erase from my Mac as a regular external memory?
335066
yes, you can use it for automatic backups--that's what I do. Each backup is 'discrete' so you can backup a file (as part of a regular backup) then delete it; it'll still be there on one of the backups. Will remain until you clear it out deliberately or room is needed for the next backup. With 3TB, that's not going to happen soon...
335067
Yes. Time Machine can automatically back up to this, and you can use the drive as a regular network share and store files on it that you no longer want on your mac. It works well with OSX, works horribly with Windows.
1662396
How you perform a backup isn't unique to this drive. It does not come with any software. You'll have to check your operating system's instructions. I'm guessing you are using Windows. If you are using the Apple OS, Time Machine takes care of all the work.
2186783
It should. Format it as a Mac OS X (Journaled) file system using Disk Utility, and you should be good to go.I only use it as a Time Machine backup HDD, so there's no troubles there.
1764021
The time capsule backups are good for if you know where and when do you want the backup from, keeping them on the time capsule without backuping up is easy too, no harm in it. But not a backup solution
2167744
I am using it to back up my entire HD with my MacBook Pro. I am not using it with Time Machine. Works fast and is excellent for my use.
2167745
I love this drive, but do not own or have used it with a Mac, but I think you made a good decision to use Time Machine, from what I read it looks like a nice system. I am using my Seagate with Linux and do my full backups using REDO backup, and my incremental with either a cp -u command manually or drag & drop from the GUI. Hope this helps.
548967
Yes you can. In fact the first time you set your Time Machine up have to decide what not to back up because the default is your entire system. That is including all disks connected to it.
197317
I bought the drive to use as a drive to store books, movies and photos. I'm not sure if it is a backup clone of an intel Mac with Mavericks. I know it works very well for what I bought it for. However, I am getting the Airport by Apple to use with Time Machine. It should arrive at my house today. That boosts your wi-fi as well as backs up automatically.
1070653
I have and iMac computer with "Time Machine" installed. Time Machine automatically backs up everything on my iMac onto the Seagate Goflex. I have only had it for a short while, but to date I am very satisfied with my purchase. Hope this helps.
704152
No, I don't think you can. These drives are usually either for a Mac or PC and not interchangeable. I don't know of any that you could use for the purpose you want. Have you looked into something like Carbonite? There are others like this out there. This is a remote program to store your files and then you can get them from anywhere. You could look into this. It takes quite a while to save your files initially but then works in the background after that. Congrats for switching to a Mac. There is a learning curve but I'm sure, in the end, you will be glad you did!
1799851
Time Capsule is a backup device, not a file server. You must start with Time Machine setup on your Air.
948785
The Time Capsule has a built in HardDrive that can be used to automatically backup your Macs while you are on your home network. The Airport Extreme does not have this. If you dont have any Macs at home get the airport extreme. Older time capsules had issues with reliability, I've had one of these models since 8/2011 without any issues. DROBO is nice, but it's expensive. If you have unlimited funds, I'd recommend the drobo.
1915733
Yes, I used it with Time Machine in Leopard/Snow Leopard...worked well for exactly one year and then inexplicably died.
1482353
I use it on my Macbook as a time machine drive. I just plugged it in and it backs my machine up without any manual steps. So it can be used as an external without using any of the software that may have been on the drive. I hope this helps
1755480
Yes - I dedicated the drive to backups and they're automatically stored via the "Time Machine" app onto this drive. The nice thing about the drive is that it auto spins up/down when the drive is use (vs my older external SATA drive which spins 24x7x365)
1254565
That was not your original question. You asked if it worked with Time Machine. It does. Any external disk will work with TM as far as I know, the bigger and faster the disk, the better. But Time Capsule, is a different animal, it is an external network device, router/switch that is both wired and wireless that contains a disk to back up to on the network as well as a USB port. In my opinion binding the two together is not a great win. It may be convenient for Apple users who want to stay simple and supported and use Apple for the sake of using Apple. You get more (or equal in some cases) bang for your buck by getting a non-Apple device for back up in most cases.
510902
Don't know, since I am using it as Time Machine on my Mac... I never turn the drive off.