Why buy a MacBook Pro 15" instead of a MacBook Air?

[Simon]

Originally Posted by Cleo

I'm running Time Machine on a few USB hard drives (270 gig & 500 gig) connected to an Airport Extreme. I'm using it to backup 5 Mac laptops (2 are old PowerPC laptops) and one Mac mini.

This raised a new question or two for me. (surprise!)

I currently have an old flying saucer style Airport Base Station and an Airport Express. I just realized that while the Express does have a USB port, it's only for connecting a printer but not for a hard drive. So I can't use either of those for an easy wireless backup.

I'm looking at two alternatives:

1. Buying the Airport Extreme ($179) that you mentioned, and buying a new 500GB or 1TB external drive that connects via USB to use with it (or possibly two 500GB drives).

2. Buying the Time Capsule, which combines the wireless Airport Extreme base station with either a 500GB ($299) or 1TB ($499) internal hard drive.

Now, while the idea of having a 500GB internal drive in the wireless base station for just $120 more than the base station alone costs sounds nice, I'm not sure I like the idea of possibly having to send in the whole Time Capsule unit because one part of it malfunctions one day.

So... I'm looking for feedback on which way you'd go or feedback from anyone who actually owns a Time Capsule.

In addition, I'd like to hear from those who are happy and unhappy with their current 500GB or 1TB drives, or any suggestions on the current 'best drives' to get.

Thanks to all for all the help.