Apple Time Capsule (2TB, Autumn 2009) review

The router ran hot throughout our testing, which made us concerned about the device's lifespan. We recommend you leave it in an open, well-ventilated location when in use.

2.4GHz wireless-n performance test (in Mbps)
(Longer bars indicate better performance)

Mixed mode

Range

Throughput

D-Link Xtreme N Dual Band Gigabit Router DIR-825

55.04 

40.4 

57.44 

New Apple Time Capsule

31.8 

33.8 

29.7 

Linksys WRT610N

27.04 

28.8 

35.76 

Old Apple Time Capsule

20 

20.8 

24.9 

5GHz wireless-n performance score (in Mbps)
(Longer bars indicate better performance)

Range

Throughput

D-Link Xtreme N Dual Band Gigabit Router DIR-825

36.48 

80.96 

Old Apple Time Capsule
N/A

57.8 

Linksys WRT610N

54.8 

64.8 

New Apple Time Capsule

51.5 

60.4 

NAS performance scores via wired Gigabit Ethernet connection (in Mbps)
(Longer bars indicate better performance)

Read

Write

Synology Disk Station DS209+ (RAID 0)

375 

256.3 

Synology Disk Station DS209+ (RAID 1)

322.3 

240 

New Apple Time Capsule (single volume)

204.7 

200.4 

My Book World Edition (single volume)

206.6 

120.1 

QNAP TS-109 Pro (single volume)

152.4 

101.4 

iOmega StorCenter ix2 (RAID 1)

137.6 

89.6 

Old Apple Time Capsule (single volume)

114.2 

81.2 

Maxtor Central Axis (single volume)

55.5 

54.6 

Conclusion
The Apple Time Capsule is certainly a convenient, straightforward wireless router and NAS server combination, and its performance is improved over the previous version, but, at this price, you should get more functionality.

Additional editing by Charles Kloet