Today Steve Jobs gave the keynote address at Macworld 2008, an event where some people hang on his every word. Of the items that Steve announced today, one may be of interest to people considering the purchase of Windows Home Server. It's the Apple Time Capsule and is basically an Apple Airport Extreme with a built in hard drive.
Let's see how the two compare, feature for feature, from the perspective of a Windows user. As a point of reference, I'm going to use the most popular Home Server, the HP EX470 MediaSmart Server.
As a Backup Device
- Home Server: Each XP or Vista machine on the network has software installed on it called the Home Server Connector that manages the automation between the client PC and the server. This allows the WHS to initiate backups automatically. As a space saving feature, duplicate files (including files that are on more that one computer) are only stored on the server once.
- Time Capsule: automated backup (or Time Machine Backup as Apple calls it) is only supported on Mac OS X Leopard. Windows XP and Vista users are out of luck.
Folder Sharing
- Home Server: Multiple shared folders can be setup on Home Server with flexible user access controls. Folders can be setup with duplication, a feature that distributed multiple copies of each file across an array of physical hard drives to help in case of catastrophic hard drive failure.
- Time Capsule: Folder sharing works just as it does in the Apple AirPort Extreme with an external drive attached. File duplication is not supported.
Storage/Expandability
- Home Server: The EX470 contain 4 drive bays for internal SATA drives. There is also an eSATA port (external SATA) that allows for many more external drives. USB drives can also be added via the 4 USB ports.
- Time Capsule: Contains a single internal hard drive while Apple describes as "server grade". There is no upgrade path for additional drives.
Printer Sharing
- Home Server: Printer sharing is not officially supported by Hewlett Packard on the EX470. However, because Windows Home Server is based on Windows 2003, printer sharing is supported via one of it's USB ports. I'm hosting a shared printer on my machine right now.
- Time Capsule: USB printer support is built in and works for both Macs and PCs. It requires that you install Apple's Bonjour driver (included).
Other
- Home Server: Based on the proven, rock solid Windows 2003 operating system.
- Time Capsule: Time Capsule contains a built-in 802.11n router.
Cost
- Home Server: The EX470 with 500GB sells for $599 on Amazon.com with 1TB selling for $799.
- Time Capsule: The Apple Time Capsule sells for $299 for 500GB, $499 for 1TB.
Conclusion
The Apple Time Capsule will likely appeal more toward the Apple community and those PC users who are only concerned with file sharing. The Apple Time Capsule is also appealing because of it's lower cost and integrated wireless 802.11n router. However, because of it expandability and it's integrated backup and shared folder system for Windows users, I consider the Windows Home Server to be the better choice.
Stumble Upon
Bookmark on Microsoft Social
Subscribe to RSS
13 comments:
Thanks for the comparison. I guess it's a given that WHS will appeal to Windows users and Time Capsule obviously to Apple users, but but TC really doesn't seem like direct competition to WHS.
In a way it's like comparing apples and oranges (pardon the pun), but the comparison is being made out there. I thought I needed to point out the differences. Basically WHS is a REAL computer where Time Capsule is a simply a router with an attached hard drive. Still, if that's all you are looking for, $299 isn't a bad deal for 500GB and a 802.11n router. Here's a crazy idea, why not get a Time Capsule, use it as your router (I use an Apple AirPort Extreme right now) and use the hard drive to schedule regular backups of your Home Servers 20GB SYS partition. You'd need some 3rd party software to do the backup of course.
challwell, i know when MS announced WHS. Apple will comeup with same idea.
two things to note, TC doesn't seem to support fileshare & backup duplication. while WHS supports it.
the other thing is about expandibility, hardware + software.
// chall3ng3r //
opps, a little copy/paste typo in the start.
challwell = just "well" :)
// chall3ng3r //
an additional strength of the time capsule unit is functioning within a mixed mac/pc environment. your article implies that pc users are out of luck for time capsule to be used as a backup device. in fact, while there is currently no windows flavour of the time machine software, the XP integrated backup program (with shadow copy) works just fine with time capsule.
the images in your article were another factor that helped me decide in favour of the mac solution. windows home server is yet another fugly pc device to add to all the clutter i used to have around my desk.
Time Capsule is WAY better. Home Server is overpriced. No Thanks.
I have an Apple Macbook and would love to be able to back it up on my WHS and be able to restore from that backup.
I have yet to see a method to do this that actually works.
Thought it was a bit bias in favour of the WHS.. I would also like to point out that the time capsule does have expandable memory via usb. If you have a usb hub you can attach multiple drives. Folder creation and sharing is also extremely easy.
When you bring in a WHS i find that you are purchasing just another computer. You could most likely do it your self for half the price.. But with the time capsule, as you said, its basically an airport extreme with a hdd on the end. Which in turn makes it very desirable for its compactness. (If thats a word!!!~)
I currently have bother in my house.. One my own (Time capsule 1tb compact and fast) and my room mates (quite large, although sleek in design.. Also very loud for processer colling and what not).. And they seem to intergrate together quite nicely.
Price isnt much of an issue when your looking at buying a home server (you obviously have a little stash lying around).. SO dont take that into account.
What i think it really comes down to is what the individual wants. They are both two great machines, but everyones got there preferences.
I have been unable to get Windows Home Server to work with my Time Capsule. I get an error message that says the router does not support UPnP. Any suggestions
Your article is factually incorrect. The Time Capsule can support up to 4 external USB 2.0 drives, with no limit on capacity.
I use a Mac and a PC and have a Time Capsule 1TB. I back up my mac using Time Machine and my PC using Genie Time Line. It *is*, in fact, automated. So, I don't know what you mean by being "out of luck" if you're a Windows user wishing to back up to a Time Capsule.
Post a Comment