Apple Time Capsule Alternatives for rMBP

Origin · 20 Apr 2014 at 20:10

I've been looking at getting some storage to use for time machine and also backing up my photos and videos. I currently have several portable hard drives which have various bits and pieces on them. I'd like to centralize this and preferably have a box of some sort I can stick in the corner of a room (possibly the lounge) and be able to connect / stream from it. Currently have my rMBP running to Apple TV with USB HDD attached.

If possible I'd like some sort of RAID protection (can't see that the Time Capsule has this)

Not too sure on budget, but I could probably look at up to $600ish

Thanks

OhEsEcks · 20 Apr 2014 at 20:24

Synology DS413j

$420 something from that well known North American and Canadian retailer.

Origin · 20 Apr 2014 at 21:18

OhEsEcks said:
Synology DS413j

$420 something from that well known North American and Canadian retailer.

Thank you, I'll take a look at that and some drives for it

Mr.Stu · 20 Apr 2014 at 21:46

Alternatively, pick up a cheap micro server (or any other low power pc/server) and run penology (synology clone). I've been doing this for a month or so and its rock solid for time machine and all other NAS/torrent/plex stuff.

Bluecube · 20 Apr 2014 at 22:20

You mean Xpenology I think.

Mr.Stu · 20 Apr 2014 at 22:26

Yeah, autocorrect fail. http://xpenology.com/forum/

Origin · 20 Apr 2014 at 22:33

Thanks guys, I'll take a look, although I am a bit worried about the potential noise level of a micro server (if the HP one I saw once is anything to go by) as this will be in the living room corner most likely as this is where the Modem / Router is if I have to wire it in to that

Caged · 21 Apr 2014 at 00:01

Have a look at the DS214play as well. Only two bays but has dedicated hardware for transcoding stuff so it can stream to Roku boxes etc.

Trox · 22 Apr 2014 at 12:42

I currently use an HP microserver running Ubuntu server.
It holds all my media stuff and runs as a Mac OS Time Capsule.

Cheap to buy if you have the drives and the cash back offer is on!

Origin · 24 Apr 2014 at 04:09

Trox said:
I currently use an HP microserver running Ubuntu server.
It holds all my media stuff and runs as a Mac OS Time Capsule.

Cheap to buy if you have the drives and the cash back offer is on!

I don't mind buying everything to start with, that's not a problem. I'm more concerned about noise if I have it in the lounge / sitting room on a shelf near the TV.

What sort of noise level is the HP server like?

Thanks

Trox · 24 Apr 2014 at 06:34

I wouldn't say it's a nice enough design to have sitting out in a lounge, mine is hidden away out of sight where it can't be heard...

I know people have replaced the PSU with a pico one.

Xelene · 28 Apr 2014 at 22:25

I run a Linux VM on my (silent) Windows box, just pass through a USB drive to it. Works a treat.

Origin · 28 Apr 2014 at 22:54

Trox said:
I wouldn't say it's a nice enough design to have sitting out in a lounge, mine is hidden away out of sight where it can't be heard...

I know people have replaced the PSU with a pico one.

Sounds like it could be an option with a little extra expense.

kohlditz said:
I run a Linux VM on my (silent) Windows box, just pass through a USB drive to it. Works a treat.

Another alternative, but I am more interested in protection as well as the backup. I have no shortage of USB hard drives. I seem to collect them!

Thanks guys for the help so far.