Way back in 2008, I bought an Apple TimeCapsule (1Tb) as both a backup solution for my MacBookPro and wireless N router. Inevitably, it also became the primary storage device (with a Lacie plugged into the USB port) and started to fill up fast.
So, I started to look around the market place for a suitable extendible NAS solution that was extremely mac friendly. Previous experience with a WD My Book World were less than successful. Poor management tools and slow performance were major deficiencies with the product, thus similar products were excluded.
Most solutions around are RAID based and inevitably do not lend themselves towards Mac compatibility (generic filesystems)- one exception being the Drobo. On it’s own (i.e. sans DroboShare) they act as a more than capable USB/ Firewire backup solution or even as direct attached storage through the TimeCapsule USB port. This, however, ties it to the “N” band leaving my other devices out in the cold.
However, when paired with the aptly named DroboShare, it becomes more than a NAS solution given the growing number of apps being developed for the platform. Coupled with the easy to use DroboDashboard it was a simple choice. The TimeCapsule is now back to it’s originally designated purpose – a backup device for my MBP. (Update : and now my MacMini)
