WiFi Router to replace time capsule?

[Illusio]

My Apple Time Capsule router has been really good for many years, but lately it's been having a lot of issues. Dropping connections or just being really slow. As they don't make them anymore, I figured it's time to get something else. We do use it for Time Machine backups for 2 macbooks, so we will still need a solution for that.

Can someone recommend a new wifi router? Preferably something I can hook an external hard drive into for time machine?

We have 100mb cable speed right now if that matters. And range isn't really an issue as the router is usually about 6 feet away from our computers.

 

[mnewsham]

Most mid-range and above routers these days have USB ports that allow for an external hard drive to be attached and used as a NAS. Just look for one in your price range that meets your specific needs.

Higher end routers will generally offer better performance to the networked drive, but if performance isn't a huge concern you might be fine with a cheaper option that is slower.

Pretty much every router with the features you're looking for will be capable of 100mbps on LAN/WAN and WLAN/WAN.

 

[Illusio]

I haven't bought a router in years. Is there a certain brand to stay away from? Is the google router and good? I've heard mixed things on that one (although the form factor is nice)

 

[mnewsham]

I personally like the Linksys WRT units because you can easily install DD-WRT or other open source operating systems. Though their non-WRT units are decent as well.

I have no personal experience with the google units, but I have heard their setup and configuring can be a pain in the ass as it's all app based.

 

[VirtualLarry]

QNAP NAS units can do Time Machine protocol, I believe. A modern TS-451+ (or 451A, or whatever the latest suffix model is), is around $400, without drives. Figure a 4TB internal NAS drive at Newegg for $120, an 8TB for $280. (The cheaper drive route is to buy some EasyStore 8TB external desktop HDDs from BestBuy, and "shuck" (remove) the internal drives, and then stick them in your NAS.)

 

[ggadrian]

I just saw that the Asus RT-AC68U I have has time machine functionality, though I haven't tried to use it (I don't use time machine at all)