I want to get a new Extreme, though before I do:
1. Is the only difference between the Extreme and the TC the built in storage for TM?
2. Are there any special requirements for plugging in an external drive into a new Extreme to acheive the same functionality as a TC?
Thanks.
Is the only difference between the Extreme and the TC the built in storage for TM?
Yes
Are there any special requirements for plugging in an external drive into a new Extreme to acheive the same functionality as a TC?
No, assuming that you use a standard 3.5 SATA hard drive formatted in Mac OS Extended (Journaled) and don't mind the somewhat painful task of trying to figure out how to open up the AirPort Extreme....which technically will void the warranty on the product.
Is the only difference between the Extreme and the TC the built in storage for TM?
Yes
Are there any special requirements for plugging in an external drive into a new Extreme to acheive the same functionality as a TC?
No, assuming that you use a standard 3.5 SATA hard drive formatted in Mac OS Extended (Journaled) and don't mind the somewhat painful task of trying to figure out how to open up the AirPort Extreme....which technically will void the warranty on the product.
I meant plugging in an external drive into the Extreme, not placing a drive inside it. I thought you could plug a drive into to use with TM, is this not the case?
Thanks for the clarification. You can certainly connect a USB drive to the AirPort Exteme, but it will be much slower than an internal drive.
There is an open question about whether Time Machine is supported when you plug a USB drive into the AirPort Extreme.
The owner's Setup Guide mentions that you can do this, but an Apple support document, which was issued about a month after the AirPort Extreme was introduced states that a USB drive connected to the Airport Exteme cannot be used for Time Machine backups.
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT2038
We've asked Apple repeatedly for clarification. but so far do not have an "official" answer. If you plan to use a USB drive with the AirPort Extreme for Time Machine, you might want to try to contact Apple regarding this.
Extreme vs. TC?
