Stacking AE, Time Capsule, and Mac mini

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Level 1

10 points

Stacking AE, Time Capsule, and Mac mini

The subject pretty much says it all. I currently have a Mac mini and an Airport Extreme (Fast Ethernet) with the AE sitting on top of the mini. I plan to get the 1TB Time Capsule, keep the AE as a b/g only router for my iPhone and the occasional guest system, and use the TC as an n-only router for my MBP and iMac. Due to space constraints, I will have to stack the TC with the AE and mini. But, the TC is bigger (7.7" vs. 6.5") than the AE and mini.

So, can I put the TC on the bottom, the mini in the middle, and the AE on top? Will there be any heat problems if I do?

iMac 24" 2.8GHz (Core 2 Extreme/4GB/750GB), Mac OS X (10.4.10), MacBook Pro 2.33GHz (Core 2/3GB/160GB)

Posted on Jan 16, 2008 8:06 AM

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Answer 1

Tesserax

Level 10

158,328 points

Jan 16, 2008 8:31 AM in response to Gary Palter

Only guessing, but if the internals of the TC are anything like the 802.11n AirPort Extreme Base Station (AEBSn), then heat will potentially pose a problem as the AEBSn has a rather large heat sink built-in directly under the top of the unit.

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Answer 2

Mar 2, 2008 12:05 PM in response to Gary Palter

Given the design of the Mac mini as well as that of both the AEBS and the Time Capsule, stacking isn't recommended. I know with the mini, both the 802.11 and Bluetooth antennas are on the top of the case. also, I think the antennas in both the Time Capsule and the AEBS have the antennas in a similar location. stacking the units would likely result in a decrease performance since you'd effectively be shielding the antennas with the unit stacked on top.

-Jason

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Answer 3

Mar 2, 2008 12:09 PM in response to Gary Palter

Some others have already reported heat problems with the TC just sitting out in the open.
Stacking also presents the problem of blocking your wireless signals. May or may not be too much of a hinderance signal wise though. Heat wise, it most likely cause you problems.

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Answer 4

Mar 3, 2008 5:57 PM in response to th3_r3n3g4d3

Has anyone taken the rubber base off. Mine smells very very ug! I understand that it the base is removed that the time capsule will have to be supported to allow air to cool the unitl

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