Airport Time Capsule Router: Good Or Bad?

Apple's Airport Time Capsule is a wireless router with built-in hard disk drives, enabling Time Machine support. While some users have praised its performance, ease of setup, and reliability, others have criticised its dated Wi-Fi technology and lack of security updates. So, does the Airport Time Capsule router suck? Let's explore further.

The Airport Time Capsule is slow compared to newer routers

The Airport Time Capsule is a wireless router with a built-in hard disk drive, enabling Time Machine support. It supports 802.11 b/g/a/n/ac and uses the 2.4GHz and 5GHz spectrum with a six-element beamforming antenna array. This allows users to create two separate wireless networks to isolate slower legacy devices from high-performance devices, allowing all devices to achieve their top speeds.

However, the Airport Time Capsule is considered slow compared to newer routers. Its one USB 2.0 connection is painfully slow, and users are better off connecting a gigabit NAS device to a free LAN port if higher transfer speeds are required. Additionally, Apple has not released security patches for the Airport Time Capsule in years, and its Wi-Fi technology is outdated. As a result, it may not be able to communicate with newer devices and may have security vulnerabilities.

For these reasons, it is generally recommended to replace the Airport Time Capsule with a newer router to achieve faster speeds, ensure security, and take advantage of the latest Wi-Fi technology.

Apple hasn't released security patches for the Airport Time Capsule in years

The Airport Time Capsule is a wireless router sold by Apple Inc. that features network-attached storage (NAS) and a residential gateway router. It was first introduced in 2008 and has since been upgraded several times, with the latest model released in 2013.

While Apple has not released any new models of the Airport Time Capsule in years, it is important to note that they have released security patches for the device. In 2019, Apple released a firmware security update for the Airport Time Capsule, addressing vulnerabilities and improving security for users. This update, Firmware Update 7.9.1, was encouraged by the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) to be installed by all users and administrators to enhance the security of their systems.

However, it has been a few years since the last security patch was released, and Apple has not provided any recent updates for the Airport Time Capsule. This lack of recent security patches could potentially leave users vulnerable to new security threats or exploits that may have emerged since the last update.

Apple's decision to discontinue the Airport Time Capsule line and their lack of recent security patches may be concerning for users who rely on these devices for their networking needs. Without regular security updates, users may be at a higher risk of cyberattacks or vulnerabilities that could compromise their data and systems.

It is recommended that Airport Time Capsule users regularly check for any new security patches or updates from Apple to ensure their devices are as secure as possible. Additionally, users should consider alternative networking options or newer models of wireless routers to benefit from the latest security features and protections.

The Airport Time Capsule has old Wi-Fi technology

The Airport Time Capsule is a wireless router with network-attached storage (NAS) and a residential gateway router. It was first introduced in 2008 and has since been upgraded several times.

The Airport Time Capsule has been described as having "old Wi-Fi technology". This is because the device has not been upgraded since 2013, and in 2016, Apple disbanded its wireless router development team. In 2018, Apple discontinued the entire AirPort line of products, including the Airport Time Capsule, without replacement.

This means that the Airport Time Capsule may not support the latest Wi-Fi standards and technologies, such as Wi-Fi 6 or 802.11ax. It may also not have the latest security features and updates, which could potentially leave users vulnerable to cyber-attacks.

Additionally, as technology has advanced, newer routers may offer improved performance, speed, and range compared to the Airport Time Capsule. For example, newer routers may support faster internet speeds, which can be important for users with high-speed internet connections.

Furthermore, as the Airport Time Capsule is no longer supported by Apple, it may not be compatible with the latest operating systems or devices. This could cause issues for users who want to use the Airport Time Capsule with newer devices or software.

In conclusion, while the Airport Time Capsule may still function as a wireless router, its older Wi-Fi technology may be a disadvantage for users who want the latest features, performance, and security. Upgrading to a newer router may provide improved speed, range, and compatibility, as well as ensuring the latest security updates and support.

The Airport Time Capsule has only one painfully slow USB 2.0 connection

The Airport Time Capsule has only one USB port, which is a USB 2.0 connection. This is a slow connection, so you will be better off using a gigabit NAS device connected to a free LAN port if you need storage that can achieve higher transfer speeds.

The USB 2.0 standard is a disappointment as the faster USB 3.0 standard would have been a more modern and better choice. Many of the external USB hard drives available now support USB 3.0, but the backwards compatibility means that these can be used at USB 2.0 speed.

The USB port can be used to connect a USB printer or hard drive. This will then be available as a network printer or provide additional storage.

The Airport Time Capsule needs occasional restarts

The Airport Time Capsule is a wireless router with a built-in hard drive, enabling Time Machine support out of the box. It is highly reliable, with excellent performance and a stable connection. However, some users have reported issues with their devices, requiring occasional restarts of the Time Capsule.

One user reported that their iPhone showed a full signal strength but was unable to load anything until they turned off Wi-Fi or restarted the Time Capsule. Another user's MacBook also hung and failed to load anything. In both cases, restarting the Time Capsule resolved the issue. This could be due to the number of connections or the type of usage, which can cause the router to malfunction and require a restart.

To reduce the need for restarts, it is recommended to limit the number of connections and avoid frequent connecting and disconnecting of devices. Additionally, ensure that you are using the latest firmware and software updates, as these can improve stability and performance.

If you are experiencing issues with your Airport Time Capsule, it is recommended to restart it occasionally. This can help resolve any minor software glitches and improve its performance. To restart the Time Capsule, simply unplug the power cord, wait for 30 seconds, and then plug it back in.

Overall, the Airport Time Capsule is a reliable and high-performance wireless router. However, as with any technology, occasional restarts may be necessary to ensure optimal performance and resolve any minor issues.

Frequently asked questions